Procedures for exploring women's childbearing motivations, alleviating childbearing conflicts and enhancing maternal role development.

Procedures used in counseling women during their early childbearing and family formation years are described and discussed. The variety of attitudes and motivations associated with conception and childbearing and pregnancy may generate conflicts in the family and adversely affect the mental health of parent and child. Early recognition of these conflicts can better prepare the parents for childrearing and this can be achieved through specific counseling techniques. Several techniques are described to be used with the mother alone including focused recollections intraself dialogues imaginary diaries and practical training in the maternal role. After childbirth sessions on family development and use of videotape playback of mother-infant interactions can be helpful. These procedures can be of special use in women with particular reproductive-related problems and in studies of childbearing motivations.