how accurately do new mothers' expectations of and plans for pregnancy and birthing reflect the reality of these experiences.
Talk to a mother (who can be a member of your immediate family). Ask them about their expectations of pregnancy and birth before they became pregnant and decided to give birth for the first time. Such questions might include those about common pregnancy "symptoms" (e.g., morning sickness, weight gain, emotional changes/flux, tiredness, back/joint pain, etc.,), those about their relationship with the baby's father, those about how their professional and personal lives would work during the pregnancy and post-birth, and those about how they expected to give birth. Also ask what their primary sources of information were about pregnancy/birthing before becoming pregnant (their own mother, school, friends, "16 and Pregnant," books, etc.).
Then, ask them about the reality the pregnancy and birth while they were experiencing it. Such questions might include those about common pregnancy "symptoms" (e.g., morning sickness, weight gain, emotional changes/flux, tiredness, back/joint pain, etc.,), those about their relationship with the baby's father, those about how their professional and personal lives would work during the pregnancy and post-birth, and those about how they actually gave birth (episiotomy, c-section, pain medication, hospital/birthing center/home experience, etc.,). Also ask what their primary sources of information were about pregnancy/birthing during the pregnancy (their own mother, school, friends, "16 and Pregnant," books, doctors, etc.). 4 full page paper, cover page, double spaced, numbered pages and reference page.