Postpartum Depression and the Meaning of Motherhood: Exploring the Role of Contrast and Expectations

Postpartum depression affects between 10 - 15% of all mothers within the first year after giving birth (Dietz, 2007; Epperson, 1999).  Studies that have focused on women's experiences of postpartum depression have found similar in experience of contrast between women's expectations of motherhood, and their actual experiences (Beck, 2002; Knudson-Martin & Silverstein, 2009; Mauthner, 1999).  Using a phenomenological approach, this study sought to explore women's experiences of contrast, understand how this experience contributed to their social construction of what motherhood meant, and ask if and how women might change the messages that they receive regarding being a mother.

Seven women were recruited from a postpartum depression support group and interviewed in a focus-group setting.  Respondents noted that they experienced a great contrast between their expectations of motherhood and what they actually experienced.  These expectations, however, seemed ambiguous and generic.  Women reported that they were surprised by the amount of judgment and pressure they felt surrounding being a mother.  Participants seemed to challenge their preconceptions about being a mother by focusing on making choices that were best for them and their children and by allowing unhappy feelings to be compatible with their definition of a good mother.  Women in the study described wanting to hear messages that were honest and open about the realities of motherhood, both from the media and in their interactions with other women and loved ones.  Participants also seemed to feel strongly that more efforts should be made to reach out to new mothers.