For parental well-being

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Generally speaking, it's easy to agree that becoming a parent is an excellent experience that can bring both great moments and significant challenges. What about when becoming a parent is coloured by premature birth? Most parents of premature babies are taken by surprise without warning. Often unprepared, these parents are thrown into a new world, a new reality, in the presence of a newborn they were not yet ready to welcome, not here, not now, not at this very young age.

As you're reading this, you're probably one of those parents who may feel like they've been subjected to something they didn't agree to since prematurity is rarely an adventure for which we feel ready.

When we look at the experiences of parents of premature babies, we quickly realize that birth can be a real shock, both for the mother who gives birth and for her partner, who is equally affected by what is happening without having any control over it. The literature identifies a greater risk of experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress in the context of prematurity.

We've identified various elements in which you may or may not recognize yourself, and we want you to know that what you, the new parents of a premature baby, feel is perfectly normal, legitimate and expected.