Postpartum psychopathology is a well-documented risk factor for impaired mother-infant bonding and thus child development. Increasingly, the focus of research in this area lies on maternal adverse childhood experiences that mothers bring into the relationship with their own baby, especially regarding the possible intergenerational transmission of traumatic experiences. Several studies showed that there is no direct link between child maltreatment and mother-infant bonding as one part of mother-child relationship, but that this link is mediated by postpartum psychopathology. To date, few studies examined differential effects between sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, and physical and emotional neglect, especially in a clinical sample. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the relationship between child maltreatment, psychopathology, and mother-infant bonding can be found for different forms of child maltreatment in patients of a mother-baby unit. Our sample consisted of 330 mothers of a mother-baby-unit in a psychosomatic clinic, who filled out self-report measures at time of admission. Mothers reported on maternal child maltreatment history with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, on current psychopathology with the Brief Symptom Inventory, and on mother-infant bonding with the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. Mediation analyses were performed with psychopathology as mediator, child maltreatment history as independent, and mother-infant bonding as dependent variable. There was no total effect of child maltreatment on mother-infant bonding. However, there were significant indirect effects of child maltreatment in general (ab = 0.09) and of the various forms of child maltreatment on mother-infant bonding via psychopathology (0.16 ≤ ab ≤ 0.34). The strongest effect was found for emotional abuse. After controlling for psychopathology, the direct effect of physical abuse on mother-infant bonding presented as a negative significant effect. This indicates that the more severe the physical abuse experienced, the better the self-reported bonding. A similar, but non-significant trend was found for sexual abuse. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing neglect forms of child maltreatment as well as abuse in women during the perinatal period. It further supports initial findings that different forms of child maltreatment can have differential effects on mother-infant bonding as one aspect of the mother-child relationship. Further research should include observational data to compare with self-report measures.

Postpartum depression drabbar många nyblivna mammor och kan påverka både mammans mående samt hennes relation till barnet. För att få stöd under graviditet och efter förlossning kan mamman vända sig till Familjecentraler som är en mötesplats för flera professioner som tillsammans erbjuder stöd. Av den anledningen väcktes intresset att undersöka kuratorer på Familjecentraler och deras erfarenhet av att arbeta med postpartum depression. Syftet med studien är att utforska familjecentralkuratorernas roll vid arbetet med postpartum depression. Studiens material har samlats in genom sex semistrukturerade intervjuer med familjecentralskuratorer. Intervjumaterialet har sedan analyserats genom en tematisk analys inspirerad av rollteori. Resultatet belyser de arbetsroller som familjecentralskuratorerna intar i sitt arbete med postpartum depression. Den tematiska analysen resulterade i följande teman som tillsammans speglar hur kuratorerna ser på sin arbetsroll: förebyggaren, uppfångaren, stödjaren och inlyssnaren. Rollen som förebyggaren innebär att de arbetar förebyggande med föräldragrupper men även i det enskilda samtalet med klienter. Kuratorerna antar en roll där de är uppfångare vid hembesök och “fångar upp” de som riskerar att annars gå obehandlade. När det kommer till rollen som stödjaren består mycket av berättandets makt och där har det stödjande samtalet en central roll. I sin roll som inlyssnaren består mycket av rollen av deras frihet från dokumentation och journaler, vilket gör klienten trygg att öppna upp sig om sitt dåliga mående. / Postpartum depression affects many new mothers and can affect both her own well-being and the relationship with the baby. To get support during pregnancy and after childbirth, the woman can turn to Family Centers, which are a meeting place for several professionals where they offer support together. For that reason, the interest was raised to investigate counselors experience with postpartum depression. The purpose of the study was to explore the role of Family center counselors in working with postpartum depression. The study's material has been collected through six semi-structured interviews with counselors at the Family Center. The interview material has then been analyzed through a thematic analysis inspired by role theory. The results revealed the specific roles that the counselors assume while working with individuals experiencing postpartum depression. The thematic analysis resulted in the following themes which together reflect how the counselors perceive their work role: the preventer, the interceptor, the supporter and the listener. The role as the preventer means that they work preventively with parent groups but also in individual conversations with clients. The counselors assume a role where they are catchers during home visits and "catch" those who otherwise risk going untreated. When it comes to the role of the supporter, much of it revolves around the power of storytelling, with supportive conversation playing a central role. In their role as the listener, much of the role consists of their freedom from documentation and records, which makes the client safe to open up about their distress.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Within the medical models, postpartum depression is constructed as a mental illness, that women are predisposed to during the postpartum period because of the biological and physiological changes that occur before, during and after childbirth. The present study aimed to determine whether childbirth increases the risk of developing depressive symptomatology in the first six months after delivery. The objective of the study was to examine the concept of postpartum depression by analyzing the difference in depressive symptom rates between 41 postpartum women and 254 male and female (who had not given birth in the previous six months) community members residing in a semi-rural area of South Africa. This objective was reached by using a cross-sectional survey research design. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to elicit the quantitative data. Several independent t-tests were conducted to determine the following (i) whether low-income women three months postpartum had higher BDI scores in comparison to a combined gendered community sample, and (ii) whether low-income women six months postpartum had higher BDI scores in comparison to a combined gendered community sample. The results indicated that the postpartum women did not experience elevated rates of depressive symptoms at three months or at six months in comparison to the community sample. Men in the 2003 community sample displayed significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the sixmonth postpartum women. These findings do not support the assumption that childbirth predisposes women to psychological vulnerability during the postpartum period.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) has gained well-deserved traction in healthcare policy discourse as a public health concern. Although one in seven American women are believed to experience PPD, mental illness stigma induces feelings of shame and guilt, reduces treatment-seeking behaviors, and ultimately contributes to a low PPD diagnosis rate. Risk of experiencing PPD is associated with various contextual factors, yet little is known about the association between stigma and PPD risk factors. A multiple-segment factorial vignette was used with 1,871 respondents to examine the impact of maternal age, depression history, infant temperament, and diagnosis on attitudes toward PPD. In addition, the impact of an educational video on PPD symptom recognition and stigmatizing attitudes was examined with a subsample of 1,178 respondents. Results demonstrated that a mother’s age, history of depression, and her infant’s temperament impacted respondents’ attribution of her symptoms to baby blues or PPD, and also influenced stigmatizing attitudes toward her PPD experience. Results also revealed that the educational video had a positive effect on symptom recognition and reduced stigmatizing views. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mental health is still the step-child of Health Services, although many studies show the serious negative impact it has on the mother, baby and the family. Knowledge about Postnatal Depression (PND) and associated risk factors which influence the development of PND is vital for early detection and intervention. Worldwide PND affects on average 10-15% of women after giving birth regardless of socio-economic status, race or education. Studies also reveal that the prevalence of PND is as high as 40-60% amongst women after giving birth. The goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing PND in a rural setting, in the Witzenberg Sub-district. The objectives included determining the prevalence of PND and identifying the contributing risk factors associated with PND. A descriptive explorative research design with a quantitative approach was applied. The target population was (N=1605) mothers, 18 years and older who gave birth in this Sub-district in one year, a convenience sampling method was used to select the study sample of (n=159/10%) participants who met the criteria and who gave voluntary permission to take part in the study. Validity and reliability was supported through the use of validated questionnaires EPDS and BDI including a questionnaire based on demographical, psychosocial and obstetrical data. In addition experts in statistics, nursing and psychiatry were consulted including language experts who validated the correctness of the Afrikaans and Xhosa translated questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility of the study and all data was collected personally by the researcher with the support of two trained field workers. Ethics approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University and permission from the Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, including informed written consent from each participant. The data was analysed with the assistance of a statistician and are presented with histograms and frequency tables. The relationship between continuous response variables and nominal input variables was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Various statistical tests were applied to determine statistical associations between variables such as the chi-square tests using a 95% confidence interval. Non-parametric tests such as the Mann-Whitney U–test or Kruskal-Wallis test were used for randomised design. Levene’s test was used for Homogeneity of Variance and the Bonferonni test of probability. The study revealed that 50.3% of the mothers, who participated in the study, had PND. Various risk factors were determined in this study that influences the development of PND. Results include statistical associations between PND and the following: - unplanned babies and unwelcome babies (p=<0,01) - life events (p=0.01) - partner relationship (p=<0.01) - family and social support (p=<0.1) Furthermore, the majority of the participants (53.8%) with PND (n=80) had a history of a psychiatric illness which was shown with significance (p=<0.01), the majority of the participants (63.5%) were unmarried and 23.8% were teenagers who suffered from PND. Recommendations include promoting healthy lifestyles, empowerment of women, prevention of teenage pregnancies, early and holistic assessment for symptoms of PND and approriate referral. In conclusion the prevention and promotive measures, early detection of PND and appropriate referrals and treatment are critical in managing maternal, child and family well being. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geestesgesondheid blyk die stiefkind van gesondheidsdienste te wees, ten spyte daarvan dat navorsing die negatiewe impak wat dit op moeder, baba en die gesin het bevestig. Kennis van postnatale depressie (PDN) en verwante risiko faktore wat die ontwikkeling van PND beïnvloed is van uiterste belang vir die vroeë opsporing en ingryping daarvan. PND affekteer gemiddeld 10%-15% van vroue wêreldwyd wat dit ervaar nadat hulle geboorte geskenk het, ongeag sosio-ekonomiese status, ras of opleiding. Navorsing dui daarop dat die voorkoms van PND so hoog is soos 40%-60% onder vrouens nadat hulle geboorte geskenk het. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die prevalensie van PND en die faktore wat PND beïnvloed in ’n landelike nedersetting in die Witzenberg Subdistrik te ondersoek. Die doelwitte sluit die bepaling van die prevalensie van PND in en die identifisering van die risiko faktore wat daartoe aanleiding gegee het. ’n Beskrywende verkennende navorsingsontwerp met ’n kwantitatiewe benadering is toegepas. Die teikengroep was (N=1605) moeders, 18 jaar en ouer wat geboorte geskenk het in hierdie subdistrik binne een jaar. ’n Gerieflikheidssteekproef metode is gebruik om die deelnemers (n=159/10%) te selekteer wat aan die kriteria voldoen het en vrywillig toestemming gegee het om aan die studie deel te neem. Geldigheid en betroubaarheid is gerugsteun deur die gebruik van geldige vraelyste, naamlik EPDS en BDI wat ’n vraelys insluit wat gebaseer is op demografiese, psigososiale en verloskundige data. Hierbenewens is deskundiges in statistiek, verpleegkunde en psigiatrie geraadpleeg, asook taalkundiges wat die taalkorrektheid van Afrikaans en Xhosa vertaalde vraelyste nagegaan het. ’n Loodsondersoek is uitgevoer om die haalbaarheid van die navorsing te toets en alle data is persoonlik deur die navorser met die hulp van ’n opgeleide veldwerker ingesamel. Etiese goedkeuring is verkry van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch en toestemming van die Departement Gesondheid, die Provinsiale Regering van die Wes-Kaap, asook skriftelike toestemming van elke deelnemer. Die data is ontleed met die bystand van ’n statistikus en is deur frekwensie tabelle aangebied. Die verhouding tussen volgehoue/aaneenlopende respons veranderlikes en nominale inset/invoer veranderlikes is ontleed deur gebruik te maak van die analise van variansie (ANOVA). Verskeie statistiese toetse is toegepas om die statistiese assosiasies tussen veranderlikes vas te stel soos die chi-kwadraat toetse deur ’n 95% betroubaarheidsinterval te gebruik. Nie-parametriese toetse soos die Mann-Whitney U-toets of Kriskal-Wallis toets is gebruik vir ewekansige ontwerp. Levene se toets is gebruik vir homogeniteit van variansie en die Bonferonni toets vir waarskynlikheid. Die toets het bewys dat 50.3% van die moeders wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, het PND. Verskeie risiko faktore is in hierdie studie vasgestel wat die ontwikkeling van PND beïnvloed. Resultate sluit statistiese assosiasie tussen PND en die volgende in: - onbeplande babas en onwelkome babas (p=<0,01) - lewensgebeure (p=0.01) - lewensmaat verhoudings (p=<0.01) - familie en maatskaplike ondersteuning (p=<0.1) Vervolgens het die meeste van die deelnemers (53.8%) met PND (n=80) ’n geskiedenis van ’n psigiatriese siekte met ’n beduidenis (p=<0.01), die meeste van die deelnemers (63.5%) is ongetroud en 23.8% is tieners wat aan PND ly. Aanbevelings sluit die bevordering van gesonde leefstyle, die bemagtiging van vrouens, voorkoming van tienerswangerskappe, vroeë en holistiese assessering van simptome van PND in en die aangewese verwysing. Daar kan tot die slotsom gekom word dat voorkoming- en bevorderingsmaatstawwe, vroeë opsporing van PND en aangewese verwysings en behandeling, krities is in die hantering van moeder-, kind- en gesinswelstand.

Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analogue with its uterotonic properties has entered as an integral part of management of the third stage of labour, helping to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Objective: To assess evidence on the effectiveness of misoprostol compared to a placebo for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. Methods: Databases searched included; MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Other sources were also searched. All articles were screened for methodological quality by two reviewers independently by standardized instrument. Data was entered in Review Manger 5.1 software for analysis. Results: Three Misoprostol studies were included (2346 participants), Oral (2 trials) and sublingual (1 trial). Misoprostol has shown not to be effective in reducing PPH (RR 0.65: 95% CI 0.40-1.06). Only one trial reported on need for blood transfusion (RR 0.14; 95% CI 0.02-1.15). Misoprostol use is associated with significant increases in shivering (RR 2.75; 95% CI 2.26-3.34) and pyrexia (RR 5.34; 95% CI 2.86-9.96) than with placebo. No maternal deaths were reported in included trials. Compared to placebo, misoprostol was coupled with less hysterectomies and additional used of uterotonics (RR 0.45; 95%CI 0.21-0.96) compared to placebo. Conclusion: Results of this review shows that the use of misoprostol in combination with some components of active management was not associated with any significant reduction in incidence of PPH. However oral administration showed a significant reduction in incidence of PPH. For its use for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage, there is a need for research focus in optimal dose and route of administration for a clinically significant effect and acceptable side effects. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Misoprostol, 'n prostaglandien E1 analoog met sy uterotonic eienskappe het ingeskryf as' n integrale deel van die bestuur van die derde stadium van kraam, help postpartum bloeding (PPH) te voorkom. Doelwit: Om bewyse oor die effektiwiteit van Misoprostol in vergelyking met 'n placebo vir die voorkoming en behandeling van postpartum bloeding te evalueer. Metodes: Databases gesoek ingesluit, Medline, CINHAL, Google Scholar en Cochrane Sentrale Register van gecontroleerde studies (Sentraal). Ander bronne is ook deursoek. Alle artikels is gekeur vir die metodologiese kwaliteit deur twee beoordelaars onafhanklik deur die gestandaardiseerde instrument. Data is opgeneem in Review Manger 5.1 sagteware vir ontleding. Hoof Resultate: Drie Misoprostol studies were ingesluit (2346 deelnemers). Mondeling (2 proe) en sublinguale (1 verhoor). Misoprostol het getoon nie doeltreffend te wees in die vermindering van PPH (RR 0,65: 95% CI 0,40-1,06). Slegs een verhoor berig oor die noodsaaklikheid vir 'n bloedoortapping (RR 0,14, 95% CI 0,02-1,15). Misoprostol gebruik word geassosieer met 'n aansienlike toename in bewing (RR 2,75, 95% CI 2,26- 3,34) en koors (RR 5,34, 95% CI 2,86-9,96) as met' n placebo. Geen moederlike sterftes is aangemeld in proewe. In vergelyking met placebo, was Misoprostol tesame met minder hysterectomies en addisionele gebruik van uterotonics (RR 0,45, 95% CI,21-,96) in vergelyking met placebo. Gevolgtrekking: Resultate van hierdie studie toon dat die gebruik van Misoprostol in kombinasie met 'n paar komponente van aktiewe bestuur is wat nie verband hou met' n beduidende afname in die voorkoms van PPH. Vir die gebruik vir die behandeling van postpartum bloeding, daar is 'n behoefte vir navorsing fokus in die optimale dosis en die roete van administrasie vir' n klinies beduidende uitwerking en aanvaarbare neweeffekte.

No description available.

In 2013 around 289,000 women died from what was categorised as maternal complications. This figure is likely to be higher as only 40% of the world has an adequately function health reporting system (WHO et al 2014, p.1). Severe bleeding causes around 27% of all maternal deaths; this is the single biggest threat to pregnancy and childbirth. Moreover, maternal complications are the second biggest cause of death for women of reproductive age globally. The risks women and girls face through pregnancy and childbirth are the outcome of socio-cultural structures and norms, which increase the inequalities in many societies. The decisions we make, the choices we have, and the actions we carry out are a product of our social system’s structures and norms. Humanitarian crises painfully display the divisiveness and destruction that these structures and norms can have on the members of that system. But, crises also offer an opportunity to either, rebuild structures and norms in a way that reduces inequality and protects the vulnerable, or a regression to more traditional, more patriarchal and more hierarchical structures and norms which will ultimately disadvantage women and girls further in their plight for equality. There is a vicious circle of poverty and mortality that can be triggered by maternal death. In order to prevent these cycles from continuing, creative, simple and appropriate strategies need to be developed for humanitarian response that build on the knowledge systems and capacities of those affected, as well as the experience and expertise of practitioners. Instead of a discussion between development or humanitarian, the conversation should try to find ways for all interventions to be more homophilious with those affected and ensure that they do not worsen the structures protecting the most vulnerable. Innovation has long since been seen as a process for those who ‘have’, and not for those who ‘have not’. Criticisms of increasing inequality through a division based on socio-economic markers have only led to self-fulfilling stereotypes of who is innovative and who is not. This research is trying to shift the focus from one that is divisive to a more inclusionary approach. To address maternal mortality caused by severe bleeding, it is imperative to understand the context in which it is happening. Who is affected? Why? What do they think and believe? What happens to the family, the community? How are the structures and norms of the society affecting it? What solutions have been offered? In answering these questions it is clear how far the impact of maternal mortality can reach. It is the hope of this research, that its can be used to reduce and lessen this impact through better-targeted and tailored responses using appropriate tools – such as the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment, implemented in a mind frame of sustainability and resilience in an environment receptive to innovation. There is a need for fresh ideas and approaches to reduce a burden that does not exist in resource stable parts of the world, and a burden that has come to be seen as a problem of the poor. The non-pneumatic anti-shock garment is a game changer. It has the potential to inspire interest and access health systems, yet implementation thus far has been limited in humanitarian response. This research investigates maternal mortality caused by postpartum haemorrhage in humanitarian crises, in an endeavour to improve the discussion on including the NASG into the MISP as an appropriate tool to fight maternal mortality and the inequality that is found at its root.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the effect of a prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme on the maintenance and promotion of postpartum psychological well-being of a group of first-time mother. Relevant literature on pregnancy, early motherhood and psychological well-being were explained in order to abstract important facets and perspectives to use as a background for the development and implementation of an intervention programme for the facilitation of psychological well-being of first-time mothers. Theoretical perspectives on, and practical applications of, clinical hypnosis were further analysed and used as foundation for the development of the hypnotherapeutic intervention. A hypnotherapeutic programme was developed, based on existing theoretical knowledge regarding pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood, as well as clinical hypnosis, with specific emphasis on Ericksonian principles and ego state therapy techniques, enriched from the perspective of psychofortology. The empirical study consisted of a quantitative component and a qualitative component. In the quantitative component, a pretest-posttest-follow-up comparative design was implemented, with random assignment of participants to the experimental and control groups within the limits of practicalities. Both groups, each consisting of 23 women in their first pregnancy, completed the following questionnaires: (i) Perception of Labour and Delivery Scale (PLD), adapted from Padawer et al. (1988). Feelings about the baby and relationship with the baby (FRB), adapted from Wwllett and Parr (1997), Maternal Self- Confidence Scale (MSC), adapted from Ruble et al. (1990) and Maternal Self-Efficacy Scale (MSE) (Teti & Gelfand, 1991), to explore aspects of psychological well-being related to early motherhood; (ii) The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) ofCox et al. (1987) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979), to investigate aspects of psychological well-being as evident by the absence of pathology; and (iii) the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (Diener et al., 1985), the Affectometer 2 (AFM) (Kammann & Flett, 1983), the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) of Antonovsky (1979) and the Generalised Self-efficacy Scale (GSE), developed by Schwarrer, (1993), to measure general psychological well-being. The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale (SHCS) (Morgan & Hilgard, 1978) was used for the experimental group to assess hypnotisabili. The qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews and an analysis of written responses of mothers in the experimental group. They commented on their experience of the programme and its impact at two weeks and ten weeks postpartum. Results from the empirical study indicated that the experimental group showed significantly more symptoms of depression and symptomatology during the prenatal evaluation than the control group. Since the experimental group was possibly more vulnerable than the control group in a psychological sense, the effect of the intervention programme could not be deduced from a pure comparison of postnatal evaluation scores between the groups. Therefore, it was decided to explore the significance of differences within each of the experimental and control groups, as well as between the experimental and control group, using the mean difference scores between prenatal and postnatal evaluation on each variable. Results indicate that the hypnotherapeutic programme was effective in enhancing most aspects of psychological well-being within the experimental group. This strengthened sense of psychological well-being was evident both in the immediate postpartum period and at ten weeks postpartum. The control group showed a spontaneous increase in psychological well-being later in the postpartum period. The programme thus assisted mothers in the more vulnerable experimental group to experience a stronger sense of psychological well-being sooner after the baby's birth. The experimental and control groups were further compared on the mean differences in prenatal versus postnatal scores on measures of psychological well-being. The results suggest that the hypnotherapeutic intervention contributed to an enhanced sense of psychological well-being in mothers in the experimental group, in comparison to the control group, during the early postpartum period, as measured by variables related to motherhood, absence of pathology and general psychological well-being. At ten weeks postpartum, the differences between the experimental and control group were less obvious. However, a very important finding was that mothers in the experimental group continued to show a significant improvement in psychological well-being as indicated by the absence of pathology. Specifically, there was a continued decrease in depression and general symptoms of pathology. Findings from the quantitative study were supported by remarks by mothers in postpartum and follow-up interviews, as well as their written responses, as part of a qualitative exploration of their experience of the programme and its impact on them. The findings give compelling evidence that a hypnotherapeutic intervention, focusing on the enhancement of strengths and inner resources, could alleviate depression and psychological distress during the perinatal period, as well as prevent the exacerbation of symptoms. Findings from the current study indicate that the developed prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme was effective in enhancing the psychological well-being of mothers experiencing a first pregnancy. Recommendations for clinical practice and further research were made, based on the current research findings. The contribution of the current study lies in the fact that it is the first to explore pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood from a salutogenidfortigenic perspective, and to utilise hypnosis to facilitate psychological well-being in this context. It contributed to scientific knowledge in the fields of developmental psychology, psychofortology and clinical hypnosis. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

This study intends to gain understanding of how mothers in the two first years postpartum feel about and relate themselves to the ideal of thinness. The empirical material is based on new mothers’ perceptions and experiences. The data is collected through a qualitative method based on interviews.   The study is interpreted by a social constructive perspective and the theoretical framework has been objectification theory and Connell’s theory of gender. Some of the theoretical concepts we have used to understand the mothers’ experiences are “norms”, “normative femininity” and “social stigma”. We also have used the thematic concept “the social body”, which is an understanding of the body as a carrier of social meaning   The results of the study show that new mothers have a problematic relation to their own bodies. This problematic approach to the body arises from the constant presence of the ideal of thinness and comments from the surroundings, as the norms of interpersonal relationships are modified during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The bodies of the new mothers become objectified by the comments from the surroundings and their bodies are therefore under social control.   The ideal of thinness has a big impact on the new mothers’ body perception. We have therefore identified four strategies that the mothers use to manage the ideal: 1. With the help of clothes the new mothers precede the social pressure that the ideal of thinness generates by concealing their bodies that they experience does not comply with the ideal; 2. The new mothers adapt their bodies to the ideal by physical exercise; 3. The new mothers adapt their bodies to the ideal by diet; 4. The new mothers use cognitive strategies to feel more at ease with their postpartum bodies, by thinking kind thoughts about themselves and their own bodies.