Parents Experiences of Parenting Preterm Multiples
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parent's experiences of parenting preterm multiples: Exploring the impact of preterm multiple birth on parents' experiences, their transition to parenthood and their couple, parental and family relationships during the first year.
IRAS ID
225133
Contact name
Louisa Clifford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham City University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 0 days
Research summary
Premature birth is associated with additional challenges for parents and their babies and, although healthcare professionals may be aware that families with multiples have different needs and experiences, there is a significant lack of information underpinning their practice to help them to support parents effectively. Interviews with parents whose multiples are born at term will be used as comparative data and the similarities and differences in their experiences identified.
Phase I
Phase I of the study will involve interviewing parents whilst their babies are on the neonatal unit or shortly after their multiples are discharged home. Semi-structured interviews will be employed and parents will be interviewed together where possible. In the initial interview parents’ will be asked about their expectations and preconceptions of parenting multiples, their pregnancy, birth and care required in the immediate postnatal period. Parents whose multiples are born at term will be invited to participate in the same way. The interview location may vary as term neonates may require a shorter hospital stay, however, to maintain consistency these interviews will be conducted within the hospital environment where possible.Phase II
Phase II of the study will involve follow up photo elicitation interviews at 16 weeks following the babies discharge from hospital and will be conducted in the parent’s home. During phase II the method of photo elicitation interviewing will be used in an attempt to obtain rich, holistic data. A topic guide will be used alongside the visual images.Phase III
Parents may be invited to participate in a follow up interview when their children are 12 months corrected age. Phase III is expected to take the form of semi-structured interviews with parents. The exact format for the interviews will be determined following phase I and II of the study and an amendment to ethical approval will be required.It is anticipated that the proposed research will provide insight into parents' experiences of parenting multiples and, in particular, those born prematurely.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0268
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion