Although the number of mothers with histories of drug addiction who are incarcerated has grown substantially in recent years, there is little information on their unique characteristics and vulnerability. Undertaken to address this issue, this study examined data on 167 incarcerated drug-abusing mothers from Baltimore City who had volunteered for a parenting program offered at a Maryland correc...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Few studies have explored the experiences of low income mothers participating in nurse home visiting programs. Our study explores and describes mothers' experiences participating in the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program, an intensive home visiting program with demonstrated effectiveness, from the time of program entry before 29 weeks gestation until their infant's ...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore and describe the coping experiences of parents to children admitted to a neonatal unit. METHODS A qualitative research approach was chosen, using in-depth interviews with eight fathers and eight mothers. RESULTS The main findings were that parents with previous complicated births had more difficulties in coping compared to those parents with n...

INTRODUCTION Having children with chronic diseases such as asthma creates conditions that cause emotional and behavioral problems in parents. In most families, the mother tends to have the first role in caring for her child and therefore mothers endure greater psychological pressure than other family members. These mothers' experiences and problems are different due to cultural and economic dif...

This qualitative descriptive study examined the breastfeeding experiences of urban adolescent mothers using a combination of focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of verbatim interview text, field, and debriefing notes was undertaken to discover categories, themes and an emerging conceptual framework. Twenty-three teens, between the ages of 14 and 18, enrolled from two postpartu...

BACKGROUND Up to 34% of new mothers have reported experiencing a traumatic childbirth. Documented risk factors for delayed or failed lactogenesis include stressful labor and delivery, unscheduled cesarean births, and psychosocial stress and pain related to childbirth. OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of birth trauma on mothers' breast-feeding experiences. METHODS Phenomenology was the qualit...

BACKGROUND Significant improvements have occurred in the survival rates of small preterm infants. As more infants survive their preterm birth, the number of parents associated with this experience has also increased. Clearly, the birth of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants poses considerable challenges for all mothers. These challenges are further compounded in Taiwan, where women are...

BACKGROUND This study examined the motivations, experiences and psychological consequences of surrogacy for surrogate mothers. METHODS Thirty-four women who had given birth to a surrogate child approximately 1 year previously were interviewed by trained researchers, and the data rated using standardized coding criteria. Information was obtained on: (i) reasons for the woman's decision to beco...

This study explores the role of cortisol and early life experiences in the regulation of maternal behavior and mood in teen and adult mothers. Primiparous mothers (n=119) (teen mothers < 19 years, n=42), young mothers (19-25 years, n= 4), and mature mothers, (>25 years, n=43) were assessed for their maternal behavior, mood, and hormonal profile at approximately 6 weeks postpartum. Outcome measu...