The Effect of the "VR Baby-Pump" Application Applied to Mothers Who Gave Birth Preterm on Their Breast Milk Expression Experience, Transition Process, and Milk Quantity: Randomized Controlled Study

Preterm labor is defined as births that occur before the 37th week of pregnancy is completed. While every 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely, it is stated that 15 out of every 100 babies are premature in our country. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for all newborn babies to complete their growth and development, and it is recommended that they be fed only with breast milk for the first six months; On the other hand, the rate of premature babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months is quite low. It is perceived as an obligatory duty for mothers to not have their baby with them after birth, and to see a milking machine at their breast instead of their baby. Therefore, the transition to motherhood, the experiences they experience after birth, and the amount of milk the baby receives are affected. Nurses should support the mother who has given birth preterm to start and continue the lactation process, ensuring that the baby is fed with breast milk and has a positive experience with the transition to healthy motherhood. With the introduction of virtual reality applications into our lives in recent years, there are many areas of use in the field of health. Since it is not possible for mothers who give birth preterm to move from the hospital to the home environment with their babies immediately after birth, it is thought that by preparing a virtual baby and baby room, mothers will have good experiences during the lactation process and a healthy transition to motherhood, which will also lead to an increase in the amount of milk.

The study is a randomized controlled study planned to determine the effect of the VRBaby-Pump application applied to mothers who gave birth preterm, on the mother's milking experience, transition process, and milk amount. In the study, the effectiveness of the VRBaby-Pump application will be evaluated based on evidence using the Breastfeeding Experience and Transition to Motherhood Scale. Stratified and block randomization methods will be used in the study. The study data will be collected from mothers who gave birth preterm at the Perinatology Clinic of Health Sciences University (SBU) Antalya Training and Research Hospital between September and December 2023. This study will be the first nursing study on this subject in both national and international literature. As a result of this study, the milking experience of mothers who gave birth preterm, the transition to motherhood, and the amount of milk will be determined, and a new milk-selling virtual reality program will be offered to mothers who give birth preterm.