Paper short abstract:

This research paper reveals the ongoing activity of the Birth and the Arts project, an investigation that aims to assess a necessity and function for a programme of expressive arts-based intervention within antenatal support systems for parents at risk of preterm birth.

Paper long abstract:

Although there is evidence which supports the restorative benefits of interactions with multi-modal arts activities to address and improve parental outlook, few studies have addressed the potential of this endeavour to transpose thoughts and feelings about these experiences into language that nurtures validation, improved assimilation, and the development of clearer articulation of thoughts and feelings.

This research paper reveals the thinking behind such an endeavour. It will excavate the ongoing activity of the Birth and the Arts project which investigates what a programme of dance, art and creative writing intervention might look like, assessing its necessity, and function within the antenatal support system for parents at risk of preterm birth.

This paper will identify ways in which dance, art and creative writing supports parental understandings of the experience of prematurity and Neonatal Intensive Care. Discussion will fall to the usefulness of such an endeavour to ameliorate the symptoms of distress that pose disturbance to the development of parental-infant interaction and relationship, and instead, positions such an intervention at the heart of positive affirmations of the parental role and authority in the care and development of the infant.

The paper will culminate in a detailed outline of the function and ability of dance, art and creative writing to offer empowerment and agency by equipping parents with insights into prematurity, the physiology of birth, and ways in which one can [re]gain authority through the power of choice, and acts of assimilation and validation.