3.2a Personal and Family Adaptations to Pregnancy Flashcards
Accepting Pregnancy
- First step is accepting the idea of pregnancy
This is called cognitive reconstruction or maternal role attainment
EMOTIONAL LABILITY - Rapid unpredictable changes in mood
- Due to hormonal changes, financial stress and lifestyle changes
- Ambivalent or mixed feelings during pregnancy are normal
- Intense feelings of ambivalence that persist until 3rd trimester indicate unresolved conflict with motherhood role
Identifying with Mother Role
- Begins early in each woman’s life when being mothered as a child
Reordering Personal Relationships
- Relationship with woman’s mother is significant in adaptation to pregnancy and motherhood
Important components in relationship between woman and mother - Mother availability (past and present)
- Reactions to daughters pregnancy
- Respect for daughters autonomy
- Willingness to reminisce
- Same sex couples, most important person is the partner
- 2 major needs during pregnancy
- Feeling loved and valued
- Having the child accepted by the partner
Sexual expression during pregnancy
- Highly individual
First trimester - Usually decreases in desire
Second trimester - Increased desire for sexual release due to sense of well being and increased pelvic congestion
Third trimester - Increased bulkiness diminishes interest in sex
Establishing Relationship with Fetus
Phase 1 - Accepting biological fact of pregnancy
Phase 2 - Accepting growing fetus is distinct from herself
Phase 3 - Preparing realistically for the birth and parenting of the child
Preparing for Birth
- Reading books
- Watching Videos
- Attending parenting class
- Talking to other women
- Seeking advice
What is Maternal Adaptation and Why Does It Occur in Second Trimester
- Adaptation of mother to maternal role
- Mother feels fetal movement in second trimester
Steps of Adaptation to Maternal Role
1 - Accepting idea of pregnancy (Ambivalence is normal and mood swings from hormonal change)
2 - Identifying with Mother Role (Begins with reminiscence of her as a child with her own mother)
3 - Re-ordering Personal Relationships (Most Important is Father of child)
4 - Establishing Relationship with Fetus (integration, differentiation, separation)
5 - Preparing for childbirth
Accepting Pregnancy (Partner)
3 Phases
Announcement Phase - Accepting biological fact of pregnancy
Moratorium Phase - Accepting reality of pregnancy
Focusing Phase - Negotiating with partner over the role and play in parenthood
Identifying with Parent Role (Partner)
- Attitudes that the partner brings to pregnancy affect the way they adjust to pregnancy role
- Memories of how they were parented and experiences with childcare guide their selection of tasks they will assume
Reordering Personal Relationships (Partner)
- Partners main role of pregnancy is to nurture and respond to pregnant woman’s feelings of vulnerability
Establishing Relationship with Fetus (Partner)
- Non-pregnant parent attachment to child can be as strong as mother-child relationship
- Partners can be just as competent as mothers in nurturing infants
- Partners prepare in many of the same ways as mothers do
Preparing for birth (Partner)
- Characterized by anticipation and anxiety
- Boredom and restlessness are common
- Concerns include getting mother to healthcare facility in time and not appearing ignorant
- Partners want to be able to recognize labor and when it is appropriate to leave for the hospital
Sibling Adaptation
- Can be a first major crisis for a child
- Mother must devote time and effort to reorganizing relationship with them
- Sympathy needed for older child and concerns of losing place in family
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CHILD REACTION - Age of siblings
- Parents attitudes
- Role of parents
- Length of separation from mother
- Facility visitation policy
- Way the child was prepared for new baby
- Associated changes at home
Grandparent adaptation
- Most parents are delighted
- Transmits family history
- Resource person
- Role model
- Support person
