Mothers’ Participation in Neonatal Pain Management in the Intensive Care Unit

Neonatal pain management is critical in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and mothers play a significant role in alleviating pain. This study investigates mothers' participation in managing neonatal pain based on Barnard's interaction model. A descriptive study was conducted in NICU from September 2022 to May 2023. The study involved 100 mothers of hospitalized infants, utilizing convenience sampling. Data were collected through a two-part questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics and mothers' perceptions of their infants' pain experiences and management strategies. The mean age of mothers was 27.77 years, with a mean neonatal hospitalization duration of 13.12 days. A majority (84%) believed their infants experienced pain. Mothers reported limited verbal (52%) and written (91%) information regarding pain management. They identified crying as the primary behavioral sign of pain and predominantly used their voice and breastfeeding as non-pharmacological pain relief methods, with 77% believing these methods effectively reduced pain. The findings underscore the critical importance of maternal involvement in managing neonatal pain. According to Barnard's model, the mother-neonate interaction is essential for recognizing pain signs and employing effective non-pharmacological pain relief strategies. This study emphasizes the necessity for healthcare providers to enhance and support these interactions in the context of pain management.