In this overview, the stages in the process of becoming a mother and the variables influencing the process, including the mother's interacting family and friends, community, and societal environments, are discussed as a background for providing care to facilitate this process. Empathic listening and interactive dialogue with the mother are important approaches to identify and address her concerns during this important transition.

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.

PURPOSE To present evidence for replacing the term maternal role attainment (MRA), with becoming a mother (BAM). METHODS A review of the evolution of MRA and a synthesis of research emanating from the theory was done, followed by synthesis of current research on the transition to motherhood. FINDINGS A woman establishes maternal identity as she becomes a mother through her commitment to and involvement in defining her new self. Maternal identity continues to evolve as the mother acquires new skills to regain her confidence in self as new challenges arise. CONCLUSIONS BAM more accurately encompasses the dynamic transformation and evolution of a woman's persona than does MRA, and the term MRA should be discontinued.

PURPOSE To present evidence for replacing the term maternal role attainment (MRA), with becoming a mother (BAM). METHODS A review of the evolution of MRA and a synthesis of research emanating from the theory was done, followed by synthesis of current research on the transition to motherhood. FINDINGS A woman establishes maternal identity as she becomes a mother through her commitment to and involvement in defining her new self. Maternal identity continues to evolve as the mother acquires new skills to regain her confidence in self as new challenges arise. CONCLUSIONS BAM more accurately encompasses the dynamic transformation and evolution of a woman's persona than does MRA, and the term MRA should be discontinued.

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.

In this overview, the stages in the process of becoming a mother and the variables influencing the process, including the mother's interacting family and friends, community, and societal environments, are discussed as a background for providing care to facilitate this process. Empathic listening and interactive dialogue with the mother are important approaches to identify and address her concerns during this important transition.