Abstract
Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal death in the United States, and babies who survive may face multiple lifelong health problems. Antepartum bed rest has been a mainstay of treatment to prevent preterm birth. Bed rest can have physiologic, behavioral, social, economic, and emotional impact on families causing undue stress. Stress may be related to fear of the unknown and uncertainty about the health of both the mother and her infant. Providing antenatal education about the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may decrease maternal stress levels and improve outcomes of premature infants. The purpose of this research study was to decrease the amount of perceived stress of high risk pregnant women on bed rest. Education to decrease maternal stress levels will lead to a more healthy pregnancy and improved outcomes for infants. The framework of this research study was the uncertainty in illness theory by Mishel (2003). The study used a quantitative, experimental design with a qualitative component. Study participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The two groups include: 1) access to a private blog with no further intervention (control group), and 2) access to a private blog plus access to NICU education via “Moms in Waiting” website (intervention group). Stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Antepartum Hospital Stressors Inventory. The results show that out of 119 participants with a gestational age of 18 to 33 weeks there was no significant difference between groups.