02/07/2020
The birth of a Mother
Congratulations !
Being a first time Mom or having had a child before is always a new experience .
The ‘ordinary miracle’ of pregnancy and birth is a time of enormous physiological, social and psychological change for women How a woman and her significant others adapt to the changes in this period can influence the mother ,the baby and the beginnings of their relationship.
Factors influencing the transition to motherhood :
The transition to motherhood begins antenatally and is influenced by an array of factors, such as the life circumstances of the parents, the social environment, and the circumstances of conception. It is also influenced by the level of support provided by the woman’s partner and family, as well as the physical health of the mother and her unborn baby. The mother’s experiences within her family of origin, her past or current mental health issues and any current or unresolved conflict, loss or trauma can also affect, and sometimes disrupt, this transit
The psychological work of pregnancy:
During the nine months of pregnancy, the mother begins to imagine the baby she is carrying. Brazelton and Cramer (1990) described pregnancy as the dawning of attachment, a period of rehearsal and anticipation. The mother must also adjust to the changes to her identity, body, relationships and career, as well as prepare for birth, and begin to reconcile the sacrifices associated with becoming a mother.
The psychological aspects of pregnancy evolve alongside the physiological changes. The physiological aspects of pregnancy tend to be the focus of attention, while the psychological aspects of pregnancy and new parenthood tend to receive less consideration.
The first trimester – adjusting to the idea of pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy is the period between conception up until 12-weeks’ gestation. It is a period of marked hormonal and physiological changes, but in the absence of obvious external signs of pregnancy. In this period, women are most likely to experience fatigue and nausea which can cloud or intensify emotional responses. For a woman with constant nausea and vomiting, it can be difficult to feel excited about the pregnancy, and may even intensify ambivalence and questions about continuing the pregnancy. For another woman with a history of miscarriage, the hormonal changes can intensify anxiety about carrying a baby to term. Fetal screening, which is now available in the first trimester, can be reassuring for parents or it may introduce intense anxiety about the baby’s health and development.
The second trimester :
The fetus is experienced as separate to the mother
During this phase, the mother feels the baby move for the first time, and the mother may feel more physically comfortable and continues to imagine her baby. Stern (1995) noted that generally between the fourth and seventh months of gestation, imaginings about the baby intensify, are elaborated, and peak around the seventh month. He noted that between the seventh and ninth month, the specificity of these imaginings reduces, and this slight disorganisation creates room for the mother to connect with the ‘real’ baby, as distinct from the baby of her imagination (Brazelton & Cramer, 1990).
Third trimester – preparing for the arrival
In the final months of pregnancy, women typically begin to prepare for the arrival of the baby and shift their attention to the birth, which can evoke intense anxiety. Women are encouraged to consider the practical aspects of delivery and pain-relief options. During this stage, anxieties about something going wrong with the birth and/or their baby may re-emerge.
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