Many psychologic changes occur during pregnancy. An unplanned pregnancy may be met with anger, denial, or depression. Ambivalent feelings are the norm, whether or not the pregnancy was planned. Elation at the thought of producing a baby and the wish to be the perfect parent compete with fears of inadequacy and of the lifestyle changes that mothering will impose. Parents of an existing child feel protective for the existing child, worried that the existing child may feel less valued. Old con icts may resurface as a woman psychologi- cally identi es with her own mother and with herself as a child. e father-to-be faces similar mixed feelings, and problems in the parental relationship may intensify.