Introduction: The Existential Crisis of Motherhood

Abstract

"This is an amazing and rich exploration of motherhood through many different voices. It shines a light on so many hidden voices and from many unique and fascinating perspectives. I loved the differing chapters each with their own focus interwoven with the stories of women, and men, and scientific literature. Highly recommended not only for those working with mothers professionally but also for new mums to explore this unique time in their life." - Dr Rebecca Moore, Perinatal Psychiatrist and Co-Founder Make Birth Better "This extremely well-written book discusses motherhood in the context of our existence as a whole. The contributions range from philosophical considerations to social and cultural dimensions to clinical practice. It turns out that motherhood teaches us a lot about what it means to be human, if only we are willing to share and listen. A unique collection, fascinating to read." - Tanja Staehler, Professor of European Philosophy, University of Sussex, UK This book offers a new perspective on the motherhood experience. Drawing on existential philosophy and recent phenomenological research into motherhood, the book demonstrates how motherhood can be understood as an existential crisis. It argues that an awareness of the existential issues women face will enable mothers to gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted aspects of their experience. The book is divided into four sections: Existential Crisis, Maternal Mental Health Crisis, Social Crisis and Working with Existential Crisis, where each section examines different experiences of being a mother. Each chapter is based on either experiential research or the author's extensive therapeutic experience of working with mothers and reflects different aspects of the motherhood journey, all through the lens of a philosophical existential approach. The book offers a new resource for mental health practitioners and researchers working with mothers, midwives and health visitors, but it is also written for mothers, providing new insights on this important life transition. Claire Arnold-Baker is a counselling psychologist and existential psychotherapist specialising in working with mothers. She is also Course Leader of the DCPsych Programme, a joint programme with The New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling and Middlesex University, UK. Intro -- Foreword -- Preface -- Contents -- Notes on Contributors -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Part I Existential Crisis: The Philosophical Tensions of Being a Mother -- 1 Introduction: The Existential Crisis of Motherhood -- The Existential Crisis of Motherhood -- Maternity as Life Crisis -- Existential Crisis -- Existential Re-Birth -- Creating Existential Space -- Developing an Existential Understanding of Motherhood -- References -- 2 Confronting Existence: The Existential Dimensions of Becoming a Mother -- Introduction -- The Physical Dimension or Umwelt Time and Temporarily: Living in the Present -- Life and Death -- The Social Dimension or Mitwelt -- Developing a Relationship with Her Baby -- Understanding Others -- The Personal Dimension or Eigenwelt -- Life Is Different -- Adopting a Motherhood Identity -- The Spiritual Dimension or Uberwelt -- Responsibility -- Worrying -- Challenging Expectations and Facing the Unknown -- The Ontological Structures of Motherhood -- References -- 3 The Corporeal Dimensions of Motherhood -- Introduction -- Loss of Corporeal Autonomy -- Loss of Corporeal Integrity -- Loss of Corporeal Identity The Embodied Dimensions of Breastfeeding -- Conclusion -- References -- 4 Existential Responsibility of Motherhood -- Motherhood -- Transition to Motherhood -- Responsibility in the Physical Dimension -- Responsibility in the Social Dimension -- Responsibility in the Personal Dimension -- Responsibility in the Spiritual Dimension -- References -- 5 The Existential Freedom of Mothers -- References -- 6 Engaging with Uncertainty and Unresolved Meanings During the Transition to Motherhood -- Introduction -- "A Narrative Analysis of New Mothers' Experiences of Not-Understanding" Five Ways of Not-Understanding -- From Disconnection to Bearing Witness: Chrissy's Story -- Not-Understanding and Maternal Decision-Making -- The Hermeneutic Choice -- Not-Understanding and Decision-Making: Briony's Story -- Not-Understanding in Order to Connect -- Hannah's Story-Accepting Not-Understanding in Order to Connect -- Conclusions -- References -- Part II Maternal Mental Health Crisis: Understanding Maternal Mental Health from an Existential Perspective -- 7 Through the Lens of Trauma: The Experience of Mothering a Very Premature Infant in the First Year After Hospital Discharge Introduction: Through the Lens of Trauma -- The Second Set of Horror -- Keeping the Baby Alive -- Feeling like a Mother Came Later -- A Shock Transition -- Mothering on Autopilot -- Bonding in the Shadow of the Threat of Loss -- A Different Kind of Bond: The Tiger Mother Bond -- Reciprocity in the Bonding Process -- Mothering in the Wake of Trauma -- Rooted in the Context of the NICU -- Delayed Processing of the Trauma -- Reconciling Joy and Loss -- A Permanently Changed Worldview -- References -- 8 Postnatal Depression: An Existential Crisis? -- Mortality and Thrownness