When it becomes twins - A study with qualitative method describing how these interviewed parents of twins’ wish to be met by the specialist nurse at Child Health Services

Abstract: The number of twins has increased over the last decades. It’s well described how twin parents have to face several difficulties such as high incidence of premature deliveries, sleep deprivation, social isolation and constant demands of infant twins. Competent care from nurses involved before, during and after birth can greatly improve the wellbeing of these families. The aim of this study was to deepen the understanding of twin parents’ wishes when meeting the specialist nurse at Child Health Services during the children’s first year in life. The study was based on eight interviews with mothers and/or fathers of twins. Questionnaires were used as preparation before the interviews to get reflective responses during the interviews. The analysis of this material was conducted with STC, Systematic Text Condensation. Results showed that when parents met the specialist nurse at Child Health Services they expressed a wish to be met with an open minded attitude, professional knowledge and experience of twins, and to share their lived experience by meeting other twin families.