Tornar-se pai vivenciando a internação do filho em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal

Resumo (EN)

Objective – To comprehend the experience of becoming a father living the hospitalization of the newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods – The theoretical framework was the Symbolic Interactionism and the methodological framework was the Interpretative Interactionism. The data collection was guided by the biographic method. Nine fathers of hospitalized newborn in the NICU participated in this study. Results – The narrative analysis allowed the understand of the process, represented by the following categories: Waiting the arrival of the child; To be faced with the unexpected; To know the risks of the child; Living the fear of loss; To live with the distress of having the son in the NICU; To have the life routine altered; Waiting to be with the son anxiously; To learn from suffering; To proceed moved by faith. Conclusion – The construction of paternity in this situation begins during waiting of the child and stays during the entire hospitalization period, despite of the physical distancing. Nursing has a fundamental role as a facilitator element, offering welcoming support in the difficult course of the hospitalization of the newborn.