Abstract
Objective:It is common clinical practice to counsel parents expecting an early-moderate premature birth. The aim of the current study was to assess maternal knowledge of potential problems of prematurity after counseling.Study design:Prospective study of 49 participants admitted between 23 and 33 weeks gestation with threatened premature birth; a prematurity knowledge questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered after counseling but before delivery.Result:Across all gestational-ages, participants were more aware of short-term problems than long-term problems. With increasing gestational age the knowledge of long-term problems decreased (P=0.01). Maternal knowledge was 82% for gestational ages where clear guidelines exist regarding goal of counseling and information that should be provided to the parents.Conclusion: Most mothers of early-moderate premature infants are not aware of the potential for long-term problems. Guidelines, which outline the information that should be provided to parents, may improve maternal knowledge after counseling.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 358-362 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Perinatology |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- birth
- communication
- knowledge
- parent
- premature infant
- prenatal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology