When a Baby Is Sent Away: Evidence to Support Best Practice After Neonatal Transport.

Every day neonates are transported from the birth hospital to a tertiary neonatal care center. Separation of mother and neonate in the hours immediately following birth interrupts the bonding process and can have long-term implications for the mother-child relationship. This article synthesizes the literature focused on mothers' experiences with a neonate being transported to a tertiary NICU and identifies evidence-based practices specific to these situations.