The repercussions in daily routine of mothers of babies admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in social isolation caused by COVID-19

• Main Authors: Amanda Leão da Silveira Rocha, Erika da Silva Dittz
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Federal de São Carlos 2021-01-01
• Series: Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional
• Subjects: occupational therapy; mothers; activities of daily living; intensive care units; neonatal; covid-19
• Online Access: http://www.cadernosdeterapiaocupacional.ufscar.br/index.php/cadernos/article/view/2857

Introduction: The new coronavirus pandemic has reverberated in the world scenario and the main forms of disease control are preventive measures, which include social isolation. The need for isolation promotes changes in the family behavior and impacts their daily lives, in addition to the psychological and social repercussions inherent to the context. Experiencing the pandemic during the newborn hospitalization contributes to the maternal distance from her daily life and can negatively impact her psyche. Objective: This study aims to know the repercussions of social isolation in the daily lives of mothers with babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Descriptive-exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out in a philanthropic hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, with 15 mothers of babies admitted to the NICU as participants. Semistructured interviews were used and the data were submitted to content analysis in the thematic modality. Results: It was found that mothers have general knowledge and information about COVID-19 and realize the changes that have been incorporated into their daily life. The emotional aspects related to the condition of having a baby admitted to the NICU were intensified reflecting on the way mothers participated in baby care. Conclusion: The pandemic has had repercussions on the mother’s daily lives and the need to provide effective information was identified. In addition, there was a need to provide families with an active listening place, and assistance in the safe management of their own and baby care, favoring occupations related to maternity.