Mothers' perceptions of their neonates' in-hospital transfers from a neonatal intensive-care unit.

This study explored mothers' perceptions of their neonates' in-hospital transfers from a neonatal intensive-care unit. A convenience sample of 15 mothers was selected, and the researchers interviewed each mother once within a week after her neonate's transfer. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) the mothers expressed feelings of relief accompanied by concern, fear of the unknown, and feelings of alienation; (2) the mothers depended on familiar things and people; and (3) the mothers experienced feelings of helplessness. The mothers' perceptions of their preparation for transfer and continuity of care were mainly negative.