“Nothing can prepare you for it”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experiences, well-being, and relational connections of first-time mothers navigating intensive mothering ideals and expectations.

Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience that alters how mothers view and experience their emotional, familial, occupational, and relational worlds. As mothering stories tend to be underrepresented and largely absent from the field of social work, this qualitative study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to center the voices of eleven first-time mothers navigating a culture of intensive mothering ideals and expectations. As a result, the main research questions of this study are: 1) What are the lived experiences of mothers navigating a culture with deep-rooted intensive mothering expectations and ideals? 2) How is well-being experienced and described in the context of mothering? 3) How do mothers experience and view the impact of growth-fostering and genuine relationships on their well-being? The narratives and stories of the mothers in this study painted a comprehensive picture of their lived experiences by redefining what it entails to be a mother, shedding light on the processes involved in their transition and discussing their mothering experiences in the context of intensive mothering. The mothers in this study also redefined and highlighted the intersection of well-being and their mothering practices. Lastly, the mothers in this study underscored the significance of relational support and their experiences of connections and disconnection as they navigated their new roles and journeys.