Boztepe, HandanCinar, SevilAy, AyseBoztepe, HandanGurlen, EdaNursing2024-07-052024-07-05202130914-35051741-452010.1111/cga.12398https://doi.org/10.1111/cga.12398https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14411/3165Çınar Özbay, Sevil/0000-0002-9281-1614This study aimed to determine the difficulties that the mothers of infants with a cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) go through, the problems they encounter in this process, and how they perceive the support of healthcare professionals, families, and friends. The study used a phenomenological approach from qualitative research methods. The study sample included 18 mothers of 0 to 3-month-old infants with CL/P. The data were collected using socio-demographic information form and semi-structured interview form. The data obtained from the interviews were evaluated using content and thematic analysis approaches. On the basis of the interviews conducted with mothers of infants with CL/P, the following themes emerged: (a) "unexpected event: having an infant with CL/P," (b) "using social media," (c) "stigma," and (d) "uncertainty of long-term treatment." In this study, it was determined that mothers experienced shock, confusion, sadness, and disappointment in this process; therefore, they used social media to seek support from the families as well as conducted research on the disease that involved a lot of uncertainty due to long-term treatments. The present study can help healthcare professionals, who play a role in the care and treatment of infants with CL/P, to understand and know what mothers need in the preoperative period.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccesscleft lipcleft palateneedsparentspediatric nursingArticleQ46123845WOS:00058593920000133103293