Mannion, CynthiaRaffin Bouchal, ShelleyWhite, DeborahBRIGHT, KATHERINE2014-03-062014-06-162014-03-062014BRIGHT, KATHERINE. (2014). The Experience of Transitioning into Motherhood: Giving a Voice to Mothers with Very Low Birth Weight Babies (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28146http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1386The transition to motherhood is filled with emotional, physical, and social challenges for many women. These challenges are strongly influenced by the physical health of their newborn babies. For women with babies who are medically compromised as a result of being born preterm and of very low birth weight (VLBW), concerns regarding short and long-term health outcomes are often considered to be a critical component contributing to maternal anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression in mothers has been strongly associated with postpartum depression (PPD) and a reduction in maternal sensitivity and responsiveness to their babies. Little research has addressed the needs of mothers with VLBW babies as they transition from hospital into the community. This study was conducted using Grounded Theory methodology to explore the experiences of these mothers in caring for their VLBW babies during the transition from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to the family home. Nurses providing comprehensive care to families with VLBW babies require an understanding of these mothers‟ perceptions of their transition into motherhood. Gaining an understanding of the mothers‟ needs will facilitate nursing care improvements to address physical and psychological stresses for mothers, as well as minimize potential negative social development for the babies.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.NursingMotherhoodTransitionVLBWBabiesgrounded theoryReconstructingNormalmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/28146