Preterm mothering in neonatal nurseries: Exploring what is and what could be through feminist design sociology

Using feminist design sociology, this qualitative research explored the childbirth and extended hospitalisation experiences of 19 mothers of premature children living in Australia. Findings revealed gendered expectations placed on women after premature childbirth, such as individualised maternal responsibility and limited parental leave for partners. This thesis expands on these gendered burdens and demonstrates how future iterations of the design of an improved support service for mothers of premature infants within hospital settings must resist the reproduction of the idea that once women give birth, they must take on most of the caregiving work.