The Transition to Parenthood: A Theoretical and Empirical Overview

This overview describes the changes and challenges families commonly encounter during the transition to parenthood. Family theories are introduced as framework for conceptualizing prenatal family dynamics and relationships observed during pregnancy. We frame prenatal family dynamics within family systems and structural family theories as well as within less frequently invoked theories, such as the bioecological systems theory, family life course perspective, attachment theory, social-learning theory, family life cycle, and family stress perspectives. While none of these theories were expressly developed to explain prenatal family dynamics, they can be expanded to allow for predictions about and interpretations of prenatal interactions in different family systems.