Transition to first-time motherhood.
1Department of International Relations, Politics and Sociology, Oxford Brookes University.
The Practising Midwife
|March 11, 2011
Summary
First-time mothers often face a significant gap between their expectations and the reality of infant care. This study highlights the unexpected challenges and exhaustion, impacting maternal well-being and care planning.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Midwifery Studies
- Women's Health
Background:
- Motherhood is a major life transition for women.
- Ideas about mothering can be narrowly focused despite a broader age spectrum for first births.
- Everyday experiences of new motherhood often differ from anticipations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences of women becoming mothers for the first time.
- To identify the gap between expectations and reality in early mothering.
- To understand the impact of unexpected challenges on maternal ambivalence.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, longitudinal research approach.
- Tracing the experiences of a small group of women.
- Focusing on the transition to first-time motherhood.
Main Results:
- A significant gap exists between women's expectations and their actual mothering experiences.
- The hard work and exhaustion of infant care were unexpected.
- Women experienced confusion and ambivalence regarding their early mothering.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest antenatal preparation and postnatal care require adjustment.
- There is a need to better align expectations with the realities of new motherhood.
- Addressing the gap can improve support for first-time mothers.
More Related Videos
14:43A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:27Ovarian Cycle
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
00:55Parental Care
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:19Secretory Phase
The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from day 14 to 28 in a typical 28-day cycle, is a period of significant physiological changes in the female reproductive system. This phase commences immediately after ovulation and is characterized by the preparation of the endometrium for potential embryo implantation.
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
01:14Fetal Circulation
Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:19The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a recurrent sequence of changes in the uterine endometrium, specifically its functional layer, the stratum functionalis. This cycle prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy. This cycle typically spans 21–35 days, averaging 28 days, and aligns with the ovarian cycle, regulated by fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...