Stages of maternal role attainment

- Anticipatory stage: occurs during pregnancy; involves learning about motherhood from various sources such as books, media, classes, role models, etc.; involves fantasizing about the infant and the maternal role; involves preparing for the birth and the postpartum period

- Formal stage: begins at birth; involves assuming the maternal role based on external cues and guidance from others such as nurses, doctors, family members, etc.; involves following rules and routines for infant care; involves seeking validation and reassurance from others; involves coping with physical and emotional changes after delivery

- Informal stage: begins after the first few weeks postpartum; involves developing one’s own style of mothering based on internal cues and feedback from the infant; involves becoming more confident and competent in infant care; involves adapting to the infant’s needs and preferences; involves integrating the maternal role with other roles such as partner, worker, etc.

- Personal stage: begins after several months postpartum; involves achieving harmony and satisfaction in the maternal role; involves expressing joy and pleasure in motherhood; involves forming a strong attachment with the infant; involves developing a sense of identity as a mother; involves being ready for another child or not.