Becoming a mother: Predicting early dissatisfaction with motherhood at three weeks postpartum

OBJECTIVE: The peripartum period can go along with increased insecurity, strain or frustration, potentially leading to a dissatisfying experience of motherhood, which itself is associated with poorer postnatal adjustment. Identifying prenatal influencing factors on the early postnatal dissatisfaction with motherhood is crucial to enable specific support for parents from pregnancy on. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive relevance of prenatal levels of anxiety and hostility as manifestations of prenatal strain, and further maternal-fetal bonding, adult attachment style and recalled parenting by the own mother on the dissatisfaction with motherhood.

DESIGN: Data was assessed longitudinally.

SETTING: The study took place at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

PARTICIPANTS: N=100 pregnant women from the general population.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: Pregnancy-related anxiety, hostility, maternal-fetal bonding and adult attachment style were assessed in the last trimester of pregnancy, and recalled parenting by the own mother and current dissatisfaction with motherhood at three weeks postpartum. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that lower recalled care by the own mother predicted higher dissatisfaction with overall motherhood, from the perspective as an adult and related to their child. Higher pregnancy-related anxiety predicted higher overall and child-related dissatisfaction. Higher hostility predicted higher child-related dissatisfaction.

KEY CONCLUSION: Prenatal negative emotional states and lower recalled care by the own mother can serve as indicators for maternal dissatisfaction.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Shaping professional support around negative emotional states and addressing experiences of own upbringing already prenatally might prevent an early dissatisfaction with motherhood and negative consequences for mother and child.