Social and psychological context of childbearing

The transition to motherhood is an emotional watershed which is punctuated by feelings of loss as well as gain. Not surprisingly, it is a period that is associated with significant social and psychological changes and upheavals that may give rise to feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt. The National Services Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services (Department of Health 2004) acknowledges the demands of parenthood and identified clear standards for promoting health and wellbeing of women, children, partners and families as a whole, placing emphasis on supporting and helping parents prepare and adjust to their parenting role. Furthermore, it outlines a number of vulnerability factors that may have adverse consequences for maternal and neonatal outcomes. This, for example, takes account of social deprivation/social exclusion, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, domestic violence and minority ethnic groups. To comprehend the enormity of childbearing on women's lives this paper considers the social and psychological context of motherhood as a major life event.