ABSTRACT
Mothers' difficulties with the transition of their baby from hospital to home have been studied for several years. An examination of a number of studies from the USA, Canada, and the UK has shown a remarkable similarity in the findings despite the demographic and cultural differences in the sample characteristics. It appears, then, that maternal responses to the transition to home are more tied to the experience than to the setting. The purpose of this paper is to place these findings within a framework that would provide a means for midwives and nurses to help mothers make this transition more comfortably and confidently than in the past. The framework chosen is the Transition Model as developed by Kenner (1988). This model suggests the problems with transition to home can be addressed under the following categories: 1. information needs; 2. grief; 3. parent-child development; 4. stress and coping; 5. social support.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Infant, Newborn, Diseases/nursing , Mothers/education , Mothers/psychology , Patient Discharge , Female , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Models, Nursing , Nurse Midwives , Social SupportABSTRACT
Because fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), or fetal alcohol effects (FAE), is being diagnosed in growing numbers of children, there is more interest in their common characteristics and how they change throughout childhood. Few longitudinal studies that describe the common childhood course of FAS address appropriate interventions. Some literature exists that describes follow-up and support services needed by these children and their families. This article examines the common childhood course of FAS/FAE and the interventions and services needed to promote positive child and family health.