for Mothers in the NICU

Weighing less than three pounds four ounces, very low birthweight infants account for 1.4 % of births and 46 % of infant deaths in the U.S. Mothers of these infants often endure significant suffering while witnessing their children struggle for life. By examining their psychological and theological needs, and drawing on a mother’s lived experience, this article develops a psychospiritual, family-centered theory of care to aid chaplains in providing spiritual care to mothers in the NICU. ourteen out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States weigh less than 1,500 grams or three pounds four ounces (Martin et al., 2010, p. 12). The majority of such births are due, in part, to severely short terms of gestation that result in premature delivery. While neonatal intensive care units (NICU) around the country are pouring millions of dollars into caring for these babies, mothers are pouring millions of tears. Technological advances in the care of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants are astounding. Highly trained specialists perform surgeries on the smallest of organs, resuscitating the smallest of lungs. But the number of VLBW infants born is increasing (Martin et al., 2010, p. 59). And while technological advances aim to meet the infants ’ physical needs, what about the spiritual and emotional needs of thei