Rubin’s “Puerperal Change” Reconsidered

Abstract

A preliminary study was conducted to examine if 1) healthy new mothers exhibit Rubin’s “Taking-in” and "Taking-hold” behaviors and attitudes and 2) if these behaviors and attitudes change during the course of hospitalization. Twenty subjects were surveyed on each postpartal hospital day at a large, west coast urban hospital. While the women exhibited some of the behavior and attitude changes, the findings do not support the specific time aspects described by Rubin. Implications for nursing practice, education, and research are discussed.