Psychological Processes of Childbearing 
Fourth Edition (2005)
Author: Raphael-Leff, J.
Anna Freud Centre.
This book is both a textbook for primary health carers (midwives, health visitors, GP's, etc) and an easily readable source of psychodynamic understanding for the interested lay woman/couple anticipating pregnancy or engaged in childbearing. The text is peppered with verbatim quotes to illustrate conscious and unconscious psychological processes within and between partners; psychosexual and sociocultural influences, beliefs and practices of different ethnic groups; and feelings relating to health care professionals and new developments in reproductive technology. The book covers in depth topics such as the wish for a baby; considering parenthood; prolonged infertility; emotional phases of pregnancy; sociocultural beliefs about fetal development and personal representations of the unborn baby; different experiences of expectant fathers; lesbian partners; fears, fantasies and experiences of labour and birth; transition to parenthood in the West and elsewhere; anticipation of parenthood and emotional realignment of family relationships in both internal and external realities; the capacities of the newborn and his/her emotional impact on the new parents; parenting styles and their underpinning fantasies; adolescent parents, adoption, coping with complications, miscarriage; prematurity and perinatal loss and postnatal disturbances.
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