The image of the child as perceived by expecting mothers

Abstract

The article focuses on the issue of the future child’s image in the minds of expecting mothers. The urgency of the issue lies in the fact that the field of prenatal psychology in the Republic of Belarus has been experiencing a great need for more scientific information in this area of study. Currently available research outcomes do not provide a holistic view of the psychological problem and cannot contribute to the process of identifying pregnant women in need of psychological counselling and support. As a result, there is evidence of an increase in the number of expecting mothers who are not psychologically prepared for the change in their social role. The goal of the present research was to study the distinct features of the future child’s image as it is perceived by pregnant women during the term of their first and subsequent pregnancies.