Maternal Role Attainment

Question 1

Who was Reva Rubin?

Answer 1

• Pioneer in maternal/child health
• Educator and researcher
• Significant contributions to the field in understanding the mothering role and bonding

Question 2

Foundations of Reva Rubin’s theory

Answer 2

• New mothers go through a series of stages and grow into their roles as mothers
• 3 stages: Taking in, Taking hold, Letting go

Question 3

Stage 1: Taking in

Answer 3

• Birth of baby through first 24 hours (shortest stage)
• “All about me”
• Concerned about pain and own health/needs/body changes
• Need to know answers to questions about birth and “How did I do”
• Minimal attention to baby
• Nurse’s role: answer mom’s questions, teach her about body changes, stay non-judgmental about response to newborn

Question 4

Stage 2: Taking hold

Answer 4

• 24 hours through first 2-3 weeks
• Mom has some of her own needs met
• Starts to show interest in baby: what he/she looks like and does, how to care for baby
• Nurse’s role: ease the mother into her care-taking role, teach breastfeeding/stools/wet diapers/plans for going home, facilitate mother doing activities rather than just doing them, provide rest and pain relief for mother
• Rooming in is critical!
• Encourage family to help with laundry, cooking, managing other children so mom can focus on new baby

Question 5

Stage 3: Letting go

Answer 5

• Integration of newborn into mother’s life
• Mother clearly identifies herself as separate and distinct from newborn
• What you will see: Women returning to work, asking others to care for baby, resume pre-birth activities

Question 6

Benefits of theory to the nurse

Answer 6

• Helps to frame normal behavior and flag abnormal
• Assist the nurse in teaching and framing mother for what to expect
• Assists to remove judgment and allow woman to progress at her own pace
• Gives woman permission to not know everything