Table 4. Statement III.

Activities foster a transition from a functioning-only state to a balance of activities.
Being in a functioning-only state: “For him [the father], it is an absolute exceptional situation. I think he is just functioning from day to day. Yes, it cannot be described differently. At the moment, we are just functioning, getting along from one day to the next, somehow” (Lea, 34 years old, daughter [25+2, in-patient], 2:438–9). “When I get asked: How are you? I think, [how am] I? He [the child] is the one who needs to be okay; all I need is functioning at home, cope with things, while he needs to get better. (…) You know, you tend to forget about yourself” (Saida, 50 years old, son [29+4, in-patient], 10:688–90).
Regaining a balance of activities: “Playing PlayStation, for me it is a kind of mental break. I can really get away from it all and just be silly for one or two hours. If you are steadily running on a certain level [of activity], you need to unwind” (Felix, 43 years old, daughter [28+4, in-patient], 8:218–22). “A day at the hospital I find very strenuous. Even though, we just huddle together and feed and bath [the baby]. It is really exhausting” (Luzia, 33 years old, twin boys [28+4, in-patient], 1:228–31). “I allow myself a coffee, to take fresh airing and to soak up the sun, drink a cup of coffee in front of the hospital. That’s my time to relax” (Tina, 31 years old, daughter [30+2, in-patient], 1:716–20).
Being in a balance of activities: “I am an actor at an amateur theatre. This helps me to distract my thoughts and to think of something else. [It helped me] not to speak of the preterm birth. (…) Acting helped me to relax and to recharge my energy. (…) Rehearsals in the weekend were quite stressful. However, from a present-day perspective, it was somehow positive for me” (Stefan, 44 years old, son [28+0, discharged], 4:275–83). “Now we can move freely. We can change loci; we aren’t locked in the patient’s room anymore. We go out, visit relatives (…) or we attend mother-child-groups” (Ruth, 40 years old, son [28+0, discharged], 2:398–401).

Bold = sub-themes, italic = original illustrative quote, (pseudonym, age, daughter or son, [gestational age at birth, in-patient or discharged at the time of the focus group interview], number of focus group: transcript line(s)).