THE SOCIAL REPRESENTATION OF THE MOTHERS AND THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS THAT ASSIST HOSPITALIZED NEWBORNS AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THESE PROFESSIONALS WITH THE MENTIONED MOTHERS.

Abstract

The woman that carries in her womb a new life creates many dreams and expectations towards the baby. After the birth and the news that her child is going to be hospitalized, there is a frustration because of the rupture of the mother-child bond. Based on that, a qualitative study has been organized, that reflects the social representation of the mothers and the health care professionals that assist hospitalized newborns and the relationship of these professionals with the mentioned mothers; identify these mothers’ feelings about their children’s development and the reconstruction of the relationship between both of them and how the health care professionals behave when facing those women’s reactions. The neonatal nursery of the UFJF’S Hospital Universitário Pediatric Session was the chosen background. Semi-structured interviews were used and the subjects were mothers and health care professionals. The representations expressed by mothers and professionals set up the following categories: the sadness and the fear; communication and educational practice make a difference on how the mothers look at the situation; the help and attention related to the assistance provided to mothers; the work requires care and awareness; receptivity, blame and rejection challenge the relationship between professionals and mothers; the association of technology and humanization. It was concluded that, with the hospitalization of the newborn baby, there is a sudden rupture between the ideal situation and the reality, causing in the mother feelings that will interfere in her relationship with the world. To know how to embrace the mothers, recognize their feelings and reactions is essential, and it is the professionals’ role, by using their scientific and practical knowledge, to create proper conditions to this mother-child relation, hoping to diminish possible damage to the woman and the child.