title: Nursing support of the process of becoming a mother.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Health Nursing in the University of California, San Francisco, Burlingame, USA. lpmercer@juno.com [corrected]
authors.forename: Ramona T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Mercer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D005783:Gender Identity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support