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The Dialectic in Becoming a Mother: Experiencing a Postpartum Phenomenon
Author(s) -
Sethi Sarla
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of caring sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1471-6712
pISSN - 0283-9318
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-6712.1995.tb00420.x
Subject(s) - dialectic , phenomenon , perspective (graphical) , narrative , grounded theory , postpartum period , psychology , field (mathematics) , developmental psychology , medicine , nursing , qualitative research , sociology , pregnancy , epistemology , social science , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics , artificial intelligence , biology , pure mathematics , genetics
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.