Early postpartum transition: Progress in maternal identity and role attainment

Abstract

Sets of early postpartum transition variables and relationships among them examined in this study were: (a) Maternal attributes (parity, age, education); (b) infant feeding plan (extent of breast-feeding); (c) birthing conditions (supports and stressors during labor and delivery); (d) birthing experience (how well labor and delivery went, usefulness of postpartum learning resources, adequacy of hospital stay); and (e) transition markers (evaluation of parenting and of infant- and self-care capability). Infant feeding plan was related to supports but not to how well labor and delivery went. Whereas preparation for birthing was positively related to how well labor and delivery went, stressors were negatively related. The direct contribution of preparation for birthing to both parenting evaluation and infant- and self-care capability and of supports and usefulness of postpartum resources to self-care capability merits clinical attention to these variables. Research concerning types of birthing experience that may contribute to evaluation of parenting is needed.

Maternal and paternal satisfaction in the delivery room: a cross-sectional comparative study

“…Our study is the first, to our knowledge, where this has been observed, even if this was not significant in the multiple linear regression analysis. Higher parental age and educational level have been associated with lower maternal satisfaction,24 25 but were not significant here; this has also been observed elsewhere 17 22…”

Predictors of Early Parenting Self-efficacy

“…Although the literature is inconsistent regarding this predictor, the current finding has been reported (Pridham et al, 1991;Secco, 2002). At both times, multiparity was a strong predictor of parenting self-efficacy.…”

“…For example, some researchers have reported that maternal age does not affect parenting self-efficacy (Mercer, 1986;Pridham, Lytton, Chang, & Rutledge, 1991), whereas Conrad, Gross, Fogg, and Ruchala (1992) found a positive correlation between age and maternal confidence. There are inconsistencies in findings, which may be accounted for by differences in construct definition, methodologies, timing of measurements, and tools.…”

“…Higher socioeconomic status has been associated with increased parenting self-efficacy (Coleman & Karraker, 2000;Teti & Gelfand, 1991). Multiparity has been associated with increased parenting self-efficacy and competence (Pridham et al, 1991;Secco, 2002), whereas other researchers have reported no differ-ences based on parity (Conrad et al, 1992;Tarkka, 2003). Being married, having a supportive relationship with a mate, and marital quality have been related to higher maternal self-efficacy and competence (Mercer, 1986;Porter & Hsu, 2003).…”

Self-Perceptions of Parenting Among Adolescent Mothers

“…For example, it is reported that adolescent mothers show less responsive and sensitive behaviors, use fewer vocalizations, and provide a less stimulating environment for their infants than adult mothers (Mercer, 1995) and do not typically exhibit the same variety or frequency of interactions as adult mothers (Martell, 2001). These differences are important because the maternal-infant relationship is reflected in the interactive behaviors of both mother and infant, which comprise a critical measure that further defines parenting (Pridham & Chang, 1985, 1989Pridham, Lytton, Chang, & Rutledge, 1991). Adolescents are also less cognitively prepared to engage in newborn care, experience more stress in parenting, and are less adaptive in their parenting style when compared with adult mothers (Gee & Rhodes, 2003;Mercer, 2004).…”