ABSTRACT
The chapter explores psychosocial aspects of postpartum adjustment including postpartum (or postnatal) depression, reflecting the diversity of women’s biological, emotional and social experiences. Adjustment to motherhood on each occasion demands huge changes to women’s lives and those of her partner and family. For many women motherhood leads to the enhancement of health and well-being. For less privileged women motherhood potentially exacerbates intersecting oppressions such as poverty, disability, chronic ill health or social exclusion, while for those living in less developed or unstable societies family disruption, geographical movement and lack of effective medical care accentuate challenges. The chapter draws on three studies of the transition to motherhood covering the 1970s, 1980s and the first decade of the 21st century, conducted by the author and colleagues based on data from women in the UK and the USA. Pain, breastfeeding, diet, expert advice, bodily changes, identity and returning to work are some of the main issues arising.
