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The Newborn in the Intensive Care Unit: A Neuropsychoanalytic Prevention Model: Revised Edition

Author(s) : Romana Negri

Reviews and Endorsements

The babies that Dr Romana Negri has worked with and here describes have indeed been born into this world “half made up”. This book is all about the emotional experience of the baby in this predicament, who has not had enough of one type of life to be able to transfer its emotional allegiances to the new one. The approach to this problem, as it is illustrated here, involves a philosophy that goes far beyond the human attitude of alleviating suffering which operates in hospital medicine. Through her work in mother–baby observation under Esther Bick and Martha Harris, supplemented by observational research in foetal behaviour by means of ultrasound, Dr Negri has become deeply engaged in this philosophy of the essential individuality of the human being by virtue of its capacity to have experiences that shape the evolving structure of its person and personality.
Donald Meltzer, Psychoanalyst

This powerful and moving book grows out of Romana Negri’s 30 years of psychoanalytically informed work as Consultant Neuropsychiatrist to a neonatal intensive care unit. The premature babies she observes are suspended between life and death, as are the feelings of their parents and the nurses who care for them. The reader witnesses how Dr Negri opens herself to the babies’ experience and introduces the tiny human beings she encounters to their parents as well as to the professionals. Her ability to support the adults, whether in maintaining hope or in dealing with death, creates a family atmosphere within a high-tech hospital department.
This book brings psychoanalytic insight and academic scholarship in medicine and child development together with a profound humanity. It was recognised as a classic when it was first published 20 years ago, and has now been updated and extended, with the addition of chapters on the death of the child and on the experience of siblings. It provides a fascinating glimpse of the interface between mind and body, as well as an illuminating exposition of theoretical concepts. It will be of interest to parents, to doctors and nurses, to psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, and to anyone concerned with the beginnings of mind.
Maria Rhode, Emeritus Professor of Child Psychotherapy, Tavistock Clinic/University of East London