Narratives on the experience of being a high-risk puerperal woman Narrativas sobre a experiência de ser puérpera de alto risco Narrativas sobre la experiencia de ser puérpera de alto riesgo

Objective: When the postpartum occurs concomitantly with the newborn hospitalization, it leads to postpartum women to become a companion in the Neonatal Unit, which may influence these women’s vital power. This situation characterizes the High-Risk Puerperium. This study aims at learning the experience of being a high-risk puerperal woman. Methods: This is a qualitative narrative study based on Florence Nightingale's theory, conducted at a public institution in southern Brazil from January to March 2010. The study subjects were seven high-risk puerperal women older than 18 years of age, and in this article we presented the experience a high-risk puerperal woman who wished to participate in the study and signed the Informed Consent Form. Results: The results demonstrate the mixed feelings faced by the high-risk mother. Conclusion: It is important to expand the term high-risk puerperium in health programs, in order to address the nursing care for the mothers who are with their babies in the neonatal unit.