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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2025

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
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Published on: September 22, 2023

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The early motherhood expectations versus reality study.

Jean Doherty1, Margaret Folan2, Aoife O'Donoghue3

  • 1Practise Development Department, National Maternity Hospital.

Families, Systems & Health : the Journal of Collaborative Family Healthcare
|June 12, 2025
PubMed
Summary

First-time mothers face a significant gap between expectations and the reality of early motherhood. Improved antenatal education and consistent postpartum support are crucial for better maternal outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Maternal Health
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Background:

  • The transition to motherhood involves profound changes in identity, body, and family dynamics.
  • Societal myths and media create unrealistic expectations, leaving new mothers unprepared.
  • Understanding the discrepancy between expectations and reality is vital for improving maternal well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the early motherhood experiences of first-time mothers.
  • To investigate how these experiences compared to their initial expectations.

Main Methods:

  • An exploratory study involving three sequential focus groups.
  • 16 first-time mothers participated across three hospitals in Ireland.
  • Data were collected via audio-recorded focus groups and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Four key themes emerged: "I wish I knew," "the myth of normal," "the lottery of support," and "surviving and thriving in the fourth trimester."
  • Participants experienced self-criticism, guilt, and emotional exhaustion due to unrealistic parenting standards.
  • Inconsistent postpartum support left mothers unprepared for emotional and practical challenges.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced antenatal education with realistic portrayals of motherhood is recommended.
  • Improved quality and accessibility of professional postpartum care are essential.
  • Mothers should be encouraged to accept instrumental support from partners and social networks.