Transitioning to

Parenthood
Evelyn Potoka, RNC, MSN
Spring 2015

Objectives

Compare factors that influence a woman and a

mans role transition to parenthood

List the phases of maternal attachment

Factors Influencing Role

Transitioning
Previous life experiences
Length and strength of relationship between partners
Financial considerations
Educational levels
Support systems
Desire to parent
Age of parents

Maternal Factors

Begin during pregnancy

How the woman was parented

Life experiences

Unique characteristics

Willingness to assume role of mother

Paternal Factors

Becomes reality once baby is born

His own fathering and culture affect his role

Evolves over time with increasing infant

contact

Adolescent Parents

Transition between childhood and adulthood

Stressful

Adolescent taking on the role of being a

mother/father

Working through developmental tasks of being a

teenager

Adolescent Parents

Nursing Actions

Provide information on infant care and behavior

Demonstrate infant care

Praise father for his interaction with infant

Provide opportunities for father to talk about

meaning of fathering

Facilitate conversation with father and partner to

discuss mutual expectations of fathering role

Bonding

Emotional feelings that begin during pregnancy or

shortly after birth between parent and newborn

Bonding behaviors

En Face position

Calls baby by name

Cuddles baby close to chest

Talks/sings to baby

Kisses baby

Breastfeeds/holds baby close during bottle feeding

Attachment

Emotional connection between infant and

parents

Attachment behaviors

Parents respond to infants cry

Infant responds to comforting by parents

Parents stimulate and entertain infant while

awake

Parents are cue sensitive to infants behavior

Maternal Phases

Taking In

Taking Hold

Letting - Go

Taking - In

First 24 to 48 hours after

birth

Dependent behaviors

Focused on self and

personal comfort

Relives and speaks of birth

experience

Dependent on others for

herself and infant needs

Decreased ability to make

decisions

Focuses on personal
physical healing

Taking - Hold

Movement between
dependent and
independent behaviors
May last for several
weeks

Focus moves from self to infant

Begins to be independent

Increased ability to make

decisions

Interested in newborns cues and

needs

Gives up pregnancy role for

maternal role

Eager to learn; excellent time for

teaching

Feelings of inadequacy

Begins to let the outside world in

Letting - Go

Movement from
independence to
maternal role
acceptance

Incorporates newborn into

her life

Accepts newborn as he or
she really is

Grieving and letting go

of old relationships and
behaviors in exchange
of new ones

Gives up fantasy of what it

could/would have been

Resumes work or school

Feelings of grief, guilt,

anxiety

Reconnection in
relationship with partner

Sibling Rivalry

Spend time prenatally discussing the upcoming birth

Provide opportunities for siblings to feel the baby move and hear
the heart beat

Provide opportunities for siblings to spend time with the new baby
in the hospital

Encourage siblings to lie in bed with mom while in the hospital

Give siblings a present from the new baby

Explain to parents the importance of quality time with other

children

Take siblings on a special outing while the baby is cared for at

home

Postpartum Blues

Occur during the first few postpartum weeks

Last for a few days

Woman feels sad, cries easily

Able to take care of herself and infant

Causes:

Change in hormonal level

Fatigue

Stress from taking on the role of the mother