Gulf Arab women's transition to motherhood.

Abstract: Aim. This paper is a report of the findings of a study of Gulf Arab women's perspectives of the transition to motherhood. Background. Transition to motherhood is a universal phenomenon in which every culture has its own expectations and varying supports for women moving through this transition. International studies have provided models or categories of maternal responses related to cultural aspects of transition to motherhood. However, no known research has focused on transition to motherhood among Gulf Arab women. Method. In the initial cohort seventeen first time Gulf Arab mothers in the United Arab Emirates were interviewed during the following three times: before childbirth, two-four weeks after childbirth, and forty-days after childbirth. A second cohort of seventeen first time new mothers was interviewed after childbirth in Sultanate of Oman. Findings. Four patterns were identified as indicators of change as women transitioned into motherhood: 1) Women's personal transition: women changed from feeling offreedom to feeling of dependency to self-confidence. 2) Mother/baby relationships: women changed from fear, anxiety, and uncertainty to feelings of care and confidence. 3) Family influences: women experienced family support to being integrated and feeling respected by family. 4) Cidtural/religious belies and practices: women felt they were initially observers of culture, to experiencing cidtural/religious beliefs and practices. This was followed by accomplishment in childbearing and childrearing practices. Conclusion. As Gulf Arab new mothers made the transition to motherhood, four implications for international nursing practice emerged: I) patient teaching to help relieve anxiety, fears, and uncertainty, 2) facilitation of mother/baby relationships, 3) family-centered care, and 4) the importance of cidtural/religious beliefs and practices to new mothers.Key Words: Nursing, Interviews, Gulf Arab Women, Research Report, MotherhoodThe transition from no children to first time motherhood is a universal phenomenon that includes social and cultural changes. Every culture has varying expectations and supports for women moving through this transition. In many cultures, professional nurses and midwives are part of tne health system that provides care and support for this transition to motherhood.Rubin (1967) and Mercer's (1985) classic new mother studies became foundational for family-centered care, maternal child interactions, and the maternal transition to motherhood. Rubin was one of the first nurse researchers to study acquisition of the maternal role. Role achievement was marked by a sense of being in the new role and comfortableness with role tasks. Mercer defined maternal role attainment as a process.More recent studies of the new motherhood transition provided new models or categories of maternal responses to the transition (Barkin, Wisner, Bromberger, Beach, & Wisniewski, 2010; Currie, 2009). Researchers (Dahlen, Barclay, & Homer, 2010; Green & Smith, 2006) have examined various aspects of motherhood in international studies. However no research was identified that focused on the transition to motherhood among Gulf Arab women.BACKGROUNDThe Arabian Gulf region includes Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, and the United Arab Emirate (UAE). Each country is autonomous but shares in common the Arabic language and Arab culture. An overwhelming majority of tne indigenous population are Muslims. In the past 30 years mere have been dramatic changes in the Arabian Gulf due to the petroleum industry. Increase in wealth has led to improved education and health care. Increased wealth has been a major factor to change from a traditional Arab lifestyle to a modern way of living that includes the latest medical technology in private and public health care facilities.Before modern health care was widely accessible in Arabian Gulf countries, maternal and infant mortality rates were high. …