Living with difference: Caring for a premature baby at home

This grounded theory study explores the experience of caring for a premature baby following discharge from hospital. The idea for the study arose from our nursing practice with new parents. Seven participants from one region contributed to the development of a substantive theory, which we named "Living with Difference: Caring for a premature baby at home". The participants were convinced that their experience was different from that of mothers of full-term babies. The women articulated the areas of difference as being: needing and receiving support; developing confidence; feeling guilty, and experiencing smallness. The results from this study will contribute to a body of knowledge which will inform future family and child health practice.