transition to parenthood is defined as
dynamic developmental process from the knowledge that a person is pregnant and continues throughout the postpartum period
what are some challenges to transitioning to parenthood
- increase stress r/t learning the role of mother or father
- decrease satisfaction within couple relationship
- decrease in sexual activities
factors that affect the transition to parenthood
- previous life experiences
- how they were parented
- length and strength of relationship of partners
- financial considerations
- educational level
- support systems
- desire to parent
- age of parents
parental roles ___ and ___ over time
evolve and change
when does the parental role process start?
during pregnancy
- through written information: books
what are the expectations and responsibilities of the parental role?
- expectations: other will acknowledge the person as being a parent; the child will obey the parents
- parents will love and protect their child
nursing actions: parental roles
- provide an environment for rest
- culturally sensitive
- active listening
- education
- positive feedback
- community resources
what/when is the first stage in Mercer’s “becoming a mother”
- commitment, attachment, preparation for an infant
- during pregnancy
what/when is the second stage in Mercer’s “becoming a mother”
- acquaintance with and increasing attachment to the infant, learning how to care for the infant, and physical restoration
- during the early weeks after birth
what/when is the third stage in Mercer’s “becoming a mother”
- moving toward a new normal
- during the first 4 months
what/when is the fourth stage in Mercer’s “becoming a mother”
- achievement of maternal identity
- around 4 months
becoming a mother is influenced by:
- how the woman was parented
- life experiences
- cultural beliefs
- unique characteristics
- pregnancy experiences
- birth experience
- willingness to be a mother
- infant characteristics
nursing actions: motherhood
- review prenatal records
- assess stages of “becoming a mother”
- provide rooming-in or couplet care
- provide comfort measures
- listen to concerns
- provide information/educate
- positive reinforcement
what does “couplet care” mean?
taking care of both mom and baby
what does “rooming-in” mean?
keeping baby in the same room as mom as much as possible
- for example, not sending baby to nursery at night unless medically necessary
- this helps mom learn baby’s cues: hunger, tired, attention, etc.
what are Rubin’s 3 phases of motherhood?
- taking-in phase
- taking-hold phase
- letting-go phase
taking-in phase
- first 24 hours
- woman focusing on her comfort and physical changes
- reliving and talking about birth experience
- dependency on others for her and infant needs
- decreased ability to make decisions
- concentration on personal healing
taking-hold phase
- 24-48 hours through first weeks
- focus on infant
- independent
- interested in infant cues and needs
- gives up pregnancy role and moves toward maternal role
- eager to learn
- inadequacy and overwhelmed feelings
- baby blues
- more of outside world in
letting-go phase
- fluid with the taking-hold phase
- grieving and letting go of old relationship behaviors in favor of new
- accepting the infant as s/he is
- giving up fantasy of what would/could have been
- independent- goes back to work/school
- guilt, grief, anxiety
- reconnection/growth in relationship with partner
factors that affect the transition process between maternal phases
- medication
- complications of pregnancy, labor, birth
- c/s
- pain
- PT infants/complications
- mood disorders
- finances
- culture
nursing actions: transitioning to/going through phases of motherhood
- review prenatal and labor factors
- maternal phases
- comfort
- teaching
the meaning of “father” is based on what?
a man’s interpretation of the role and its expectations and responsibilities
factors that affect a father’s interpretation of the role
- how he was fathered
- how culture defines his role
- friends, family, and his partner
a man’s partner has a major influence on ___
the degree of the man’s involvement in the infant and child’s care
