Li Siu-yan Susan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-168). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English version) --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of figures --- p.ix / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Background of the study --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5 / Maternal role attainment --- p.6 / Transitional theory --- p.16 / Feminist approaches to transition to motherhood --- p.23 / Local research on transition to motherhood --- p.26 / The rationale of the study --- p.30 / Chapter III. --- METHODS --- p.34 / Design --- p.34 / Setting --- p.39 / Sample --- p.39 / Ethical issues --- p.41 / Data collection --- p.42 / Data analysis --- p.46 / Trustworthiness of the study --- p.53 / Summary --- p.57 / Chapter IV. --- FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION --- p.59 / Conceptual categories --- p.61 / Keeping harmony --- p.62 / Giving of self --- p.63 / Discontinuity of self --- p.64 / Caring for (m)other --- p.75 / Replenishing --- p.91 / Daydreaming --- p.92 / Fortifying support --- p.98 / Developing self --- p.117 / Rewards of mothering --- p.118 / Achieving maternal competency --- p.121 / Renegotiating relationships --- p.127 / With mother-in-law --- p.130 / With husband --- p.135 / With work --- p.137 / The storyline --- p.139 / Chapter V. --- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.141 / Summary of the study --- p.141 / Implications for midwifery practice --- p.146 / Limitations and recommendations for further study --- p.152 / Personal reflections on study --- p.153 / References --- p.156 / Appendix / Chapter A. --- Letters of approval - The Chinese University of Hong Kong --- p.169 / Chapter B. --- Letters of approval - general hospital --- p.170 / Chapter C. --- Subject information sheet for the participants (English and Chinese version) --- p.171 / Chapter D. --- Consent form from the participant (English and Chinese version) --- p.173 / Chapter E. --- Transcripts in Chinese language --- p.175 / Chapter F. --- Translation of transcripts in English --- p.195 / Chapter G. --- Demographic summary of interview participants --- p.214