Caring at the neonatal intensive care unit: a phenomenological conception

Abstract

This is a phenomenological research based on Martin Heidegger´s perspective, carried out with eight escort mothers at Albert Sabin Infant Hospital, Fortaleza, Ceara State - Brazil with the purpose of understanding the neonatal care at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from the mother’s perspectives. Information were obtained by phenomenological interviews and submitted to analysis of phenomena, according to Martins & Bicudo proposal. Mothers revealed that the care for others at ICU implies caring for the baby and a lot of frustrations. Beside these aspects, the mothers revealed themselves as authentic human beings free from the occupation going towards pre-occupation.