Project Summary
The present study had two primary aims: (1) identify and explore (from the parents’ own perspective) experiences in a neonatal setting, specifically in a Level II+ unit located in the North Island of New Zealand, and (2) assess the feasibility and usefulness of the Babble app across the neonatal experience.
Data Generation
Any parent with an infant admitted to the neonatal unit of interest where the Babble app originated from, for any reason and any length of time, in the previous twelve months was invited to take part. Recruitment occurred between March 2019 to June 2019, through various avenues including posters and letters to parents in the neonatal unit. Additionally, an invitation to participate was presented in a nationwide, online survey, which was part of an overarching study looking at parental experiences of the neonatal unit and the role of the Babble app across New Zealand. Deidentified data collected in that survey pertaining to the broader research question can be found at
osf.io/28sn6.. Interview took place from April to June 2019 depending on availability of participants through both face-to-face and Skype. Eight mothers participated in an interview exploring their experiences of their admission, discharge, and the Babble app. Admission typically lasted for 15 days on average. Interviews were around 53 minutes on average and took place between 1 to 12 months post-discharge. A semi-structured interview schedule, with an inductive orientation, was utilised to ensure there was scope to cover information pertaining to the research question as well as allow for new information, and information pertinent to each person, to arise naturally. Questions focused on parents’ experiences of the birth (e.g. how was your pregnancy and birth experience?), the admission (e.g. what was the experience of neonatal admission like for you?), information access (e.g. how did you learn about your baby and the care they were provided?), the Babble app (e.g. how did you find the app to use?) and the discharge process (e.g. how was the discharge process for you?).
