Analysis of the interviews in this study indicates that
there is a delay in the stages of maternal role attainment
as described by Mercer (1981) in women suffering from
HG. Women suffering from continual nausea isolate
themselves from family and friends. The anticipatory
stage that begins during pregnancy is altered. The 8 participants
stated that they were so overcome with HG that
they were not as concerned for the fetus as they may have
been otherwise. The women in this study were too ill to
anticipate delivery, plan for the baby, or participate in
social activities. As a result, the social and psychological
adjustments to pregnancy were altered until HG subsided
and the women had regained some control. The formal or
role-taking stage may also be affected because the woman
with HG has a need to make up for lost time. Most of the
participants (7 out of 8) reported that they could not
become emotionally attached to the fetus, and they made
extra efforts to bond with the infant after delivery at a
time when learning infant cues and developing infant care
skills should take place.