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"Gold standard" Birth: Unmet birth expectations and the ought-maternal-self
Rebecca Matthews1, Vicki Harman2, Katherine Finlay1
1University of Reading, School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, Reading, England, United Kingdom.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Unmet birth expectations negatively impact maternal mental health. Sociocultural pressures create an "intensive birthing ideology," leading to distress and disrupted maternal identity for first-time mothers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Unmet birth expectations are linked to poor maternal mental health.
- The psychological mechanisms behind this association are not well understood.
- Existing research lacks qualitative depth on women's experiences with unmet birth expectations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To qualitatively investigate the experiences of first-time mothers with unmet birth expectations.
- To explore how sociocultural discourses contribute to psychological harm in this context.
- To introduce and apply the concept of 'intensive birthing ideology' and Self-Discrepancy Theory.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with first-time mothers in the U.K.
- Utilized reflexive thematic analysis for data interpretation.
- Recruited participants specifically based on unmet birth expectations.
Main Results:
- Identified three themes: 'The Intensive Birthing Expectation Trap,' 'Failed at the First Hurdle of Motherhood,' and 'Disrupted Maternal Identity.'
- Women experienced distress, self-blame, and shame when births deviated from expectations of 'natural' vaginal birth.
- Intensive birthing ideology, promoting unassisted vaginal birth, creates an 'ought-maternal-self,' leading to psychological vulnerability.
Conclusions:
- Sociocultural narratives and intensive birthing ideology generate psychological harm through specific cognitive processes.
- Unmet birth expectations disrupt maternal identity, contributing to psychological distress.
- There is an urgent need for antenatal education reform and critical reflection on birth narratives.
Keywords:
Birth expectationsBirth traumaIntensive motheringMaternal identityPerinatal mental healthSelf-discrepancy theoryMore Related Videos
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