A review of nursing interventions to foster becoming a mother.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current state of knowledge of nursing interventions that foster the process of becoming a mother.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted using CINAHL and PubMed electronic databases and other key references.

STUDY SELECTION

Reports on nursing intervention research published in English that focused on a facet of maternal behavior in the process of becoming a mother during pregnancy or during the first 4 months following birth, or both, were included. Twenty eight reports were found.

DATA EXTRACTION

Studies were reviewed, categorized, and analyzed and interventions synthesized to determine the current knowledge base for fostering becoming a mother. Categories included instructions for infant caregiving, building awareness of and responsiveness to infant interactive capabilities, promoting maternal-infant attachment, maternal/social role preparation, and interactive therapeutic nurse-client relationships.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Interactive therapeutic nurse-client relationships and maternal/social role preparation had greater impact on variables indicating progress in becoming a mother than formal teaching. Instructions without nurse input were ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS

Interactive reciprocal nursing interventions are the most effective in enhancing mother-infant interactions and maternal knowledge about infant care. Evidence is limited on how to foster the mother's feelings about herself in becoming a mother and attachment to her infant.