The Dialectic in Becoming a Mother: Experiencing a Postpartum Phenomenon

Abstract

In this study of the phenomenon of the postpartum period grounded theory methodology was used to investigate the experiences of first-time mothers during the first three months following their deliveries. The sample consisted of 12 primipara women and 3 multipara women. The data were generated by using unstructured interviews and field notes. Each woman was interviewed twice, the first time between 2 and 3 weeks postpartum, and the second time between 10 and 12 weeks postpartum. The final data for analysis consisted of: data generated through interviews, field notes, and the narratives of four mothers found in the non-fiction literature. Constant comparative analysis resulted in the generation of four categories and corresponding subcategories. These were: (1) Giving of Self; (2) Redefining Self; (3) Redefining Relationships; and (4) Redefining Professional Goals. The categories were not mutually exclusive. All the categories converged to provide support for the core variable 'Dialectic in Becoming a Mother'. The dialectic perspective demonstrated that, in becoming mothers, the women experienced transition, contradictions, tensions and transformations. A theoretical model was developed to show relationships among these major concepts. The findings of this study will be useful in effecting change in the provision of care to postpartum women and their families.

(Re)constructing Myself: the process of transition to motherhood for women with a disability

“…It denotes the psychological processes of adaptation, reorientation and transformation that individuals engage in when adapting and incorporating a change in their life. The transition involved in becoming a mother is an intricate one, one that encompasses physical, emotional, psychological and social changes (Oakley 1979, Pridham and Chang 1992, Sethi 1995, Smith 1999, Bailey 1999a, Miller 2000a, Redwood 2007, Urwin 2007, Thomson et al 2011. Managing the transition involves a conscious and unconscious reorganisation of the self , Smith 1999, Bailey 1999a, Miller 2000a, Urwin 2007, the change and disruption that ensues can affect the woman's assumptions of the self and their assumptive world 59 (Oakley 1980, Bailey 1999a, Miller 2000a, Kralik et al 2006).…”

“…In her seminal work 'Women Confined: Towards a Sociology of Childbirth' sociologist Ann Oakley (1980) alluded to the relationship between motherhood and the woman's assumptive world but did not explore or develop the correlation between them. 65 More recently researchers have started to explore the phenomenon from an identity development perspective (Rubin 1984, McMahon 1995, Sethi 1995, Smith 1999, Bailey 1999a, Miller 2000a, Yeates 2004, Hilfinger-Messias and DeJoseph 2007) (see appendix 4a and 4b, an outline of the studies reviewed).…”

Persevering Through Postpartum Fatigue

“…In the early mothering period (defined as the 6 months after childbirth), women are confronted with multiple contradictions between the ideology and the reality of mothering (Sethi, 1995). Many women experiencing motherhood for the first time have the added strain of becoming aware of the existence of mothering ideology and the contradictions involved for the first time in their lives.…”

“…Sethi's (1995) grounded theory of postpartum phenomenon in firsttime mothers reflects a self-transcendent process within the basic social process of "The Dialectic in Becoming a Mother." One of the four categories that relates to the process of becoming a mother is "Redefining Self."…”

Myths of motherhood. The role of culture in the development of postpartum depression

“…Having a baby creates a state of vulnerability and insecurity which may upset women's psychological balance. In this way, motherhood assumes a more complex connotation which conveys positive aspects alongside with some downsides: motherhood can be complicated, it may occasion conflicts and moments of crisis [31][32][33][34][35][36][37].…”