TABLE 1:

Psychological process of becoming a parent

Feelings of procreativity and generativity

A sense of continuity through the generations

Fears and expectations about the coming baby

Effect on expectant parents’ relationship

Response to quickening and bodily changes

Attachment to real and idealized aspects of the infant

Self-esteem building

Reprinted with permission from Kay J, Roman B, Schulte HM. Pregnancy loss and the grief process. In: Woods JR, Woods JLE, eds. Loss During Pregnancy or in the Newborn Period. Pitman, NJ: Jannetti Publications, Inc, 1997:5–36