Objective:

To understand the experience of the father and the extended family during the hospitalization of the premature newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Method:

Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, carried out in a large public maternity ward in the city of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were recorded on audio and subsequently analyzed according to Thematic Content Analysis.

Results:

From the speeches of 16 participants, four thematic categories were unveiled: An experience initially marked by suffering; a difficult experience in the family's routine; seeking to become stronger throughout the experience and feeling more relaxed throughout the experience.

Conclusion:

The experience was marked by impactful changes in family functioning domains, considering cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects, demonstrating the need for care that intentionally contemplates the family in the researched context, as well as the implementation and monitoring of the approach recommended by centered care. in the newborn and his family.