Psychological Needs in Spanish Pregnant Women During the Transition to Motherhood: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Motherhood involves significant identity transformation, encompassing physical, emotional, and social changes that can create tensions between a woman’s previous identity and her new maternal identity. In Spain, cultural expectations of motherhood can intensify this conflict, affecting the transition to the role of mother. This study explores the experiences and needs of Spanish women during the perinatal period, identifying common concerns and cultural particularities. Methods: A qualitative design using focus groups was employed. Thirty-three women from the Community of Madrid participated, with an average age of 28.42 years. Four focus groups were conducted: one with women in the third trimester of pregnancy, one with women in the early postpartum period (0–5 months), one with women in the late postpartum period (6–12 months), and one mixed group. Semi-structured questions guided the discussions, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Nine main themes were identified: birth process, emotional management, acceptance of physical and mental changes, breastfeeding, sleep management, attachment and bonding, maternal identity, specialized resources, and setting limits. Key findings include the importance of mental and physical preparation for birth, managing emotions, and accepting bodily changes. Participants highlighted the need for emotional support, accurate information, and community resources. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive perinatal support programs that provide tools for prenatal education, pain management, emotional support, and identity transition, integrating women’s prior identity to facilitate a harmonious transition to motherhood.

1. Introduction

Motherhood is a stage of life characterized by significant psychological and social transformations. For pregnant women, the transition to the maternal role involves a series of challenges that can deeply affect their personal identity. This process involves not only physical changes, but also emotional and social adaptations that can generate conflicts between the pre-existing identity and the new maternal identity [1]. Previous research indicates that women often experience a sense of loss of personal identity due to the demands of motherhood [2]. This tension between the roles of mother and woman may be particularly pronounced in societies where cultural expectations of motherhood are especially high [3,4,5].

Attachment theory has been used to understand how women integrate their emotional experiences during pregnancy and postpartum [6,7]. However, there is a lack of specific research on how these experiences impact the identity of pregnant women in the Spanish cultural context. It is essential to consider that culture plays a crucial role in the way women experience and perceive motherhood [1,8].

Recent studies suggest that the psychological needs of expectant mothers can be classified as universal and specific. Universal needs include emotional support, validation of their experiences, and reinforcement of self-esteem [9,10]. On the other hand, specific needs may vary according to cultural factors, such as social expectations about the maternal role and family traditions [11].

Cultural impact is a determining factor in the way women perceive and manage the demands of motherhood [1]. In the Spanish context, cultural expectations may be strongly influenced by traditional values and gender roles that clearly define the responsibilities and behaviors expected of women in the home and society. These cultural norms may put pressure on expectant women, intensifying the conflict between the pre-existing identity and the emerging maternal identity [5]. It is essential to consider how these cultural factors not only influence expectations of motherhood, but also access to emotional and social support resources, which are crucial to maintaining psychological well-being during this stage of life [12]. Understanding these cultural dynamics and their interaction with personal identity can provide a basis for designing support strategies that respect individual and cultural differences, facilitating a more harmonious transition to motherhood [13]. Furthermore, it has been observed that the process of motherhood can be an opportunity for personal growth, where women rediscover or strengthen aspects of their identity that may have been overlooked in their pre-motherhood life [14,15]. This stage can be seen not only as a loss of identity, but also as an evolution and adaptation of personal identity to new circumstances.

Perinatal service provision in Spain has evolved significantly in recent years, but notable regional disparities remain. While some areas benefit from comprehensive prenatal education, robust birth support, and postnatal care programs, others continue to have significant gaps in the quality and accessibility of services. This unequal distribution of resources not only affects maternal outcomes, but also shapes women’s experiences during the perinatal period. By examining the psychological and emotional needs of pregnant women and first-time mothers, this study aims to contextualize these individual experiences within the broader framework of perinatal service provision in Spain.

This study focuses on Spanish pregnant women, with the aim of identifying both common concerns and cultural particularities that influence their experience of motherhood. By better understanding these dynamics, more effective interventions can be developed that not only facilitate the transition to the maternal role, but also respect and promote the continuity of women’s personal identity.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Design

This study is based on a social constructionist perspective [16], which recognizes that people interpret reality in different ways through their social interactions and the environment that surrounds them [17]. Therefore, a descriptive and exploratory qualitative research design was chosen, based on the principles of naturalistic inquiry [18,19,20]. This perspective maintains that reality is dynamic and subjective, varying according to individual perceptions [18]. The objective of this design is to provide a detailed description of the experiences and perceptions of a specific group of people, without excessive abstraction of the data [17,21]. In this case, the aim is to understand the needs of Spanish pregnant women with low obstetric risk during the perinatal stage. To do so, focus groups (FGs) were used. FGs, as a qualitative data collection technique, are useful for investigating situations that are difficult to address by other methods, as well as for developing questionnaires, confirming hypotheses, and designing intervention programs. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) [22], which provide a checklist to consider when conducting interviews and focus groups, were used. In addition, the Journal Article Reporting Standards for Qualitative Research were followed; these provide specific recommendations for writing reports based on qualitative or mixed research designs, according to the JARS-Qual Working Group [23].

2.2. Research Team

Five researchers participated in this study, all of whom were psychologists with a PhD in health sciences. Three of them had experience in qualitative studies. None of the researchers was involved in clinical activity or had a previous relationship with the participants. Before starting this study, the researchers’ positioning regarding the theoretical framework, their beliefs, their previous experience, and their motivation for the research was established. Finally, only three researchers had experience with women in the perinatal stage.

2.3. Participants

Purposive sampling was performed by selecting cases or units (individuals, groups of individuals, institutions) based on their ability to provide information relevant to the research questions [24]. Pregnant and postpartum women were recruited from two health centers in the Community of Madrid (Spain). Purposive sampling methods are recommended for studies using focus groups [25].

The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) women of Spanish nationality, (2) nulliparous or primiparous mothers, (3) pregnant women in the third trimester or in the postpartum period (up to one year postpartum), (4) patients with low obstetric risk, and (5) patients without psychiatric pathology.

The first contact was initiated through the midwives and pediatricians of the health centers, who disseminated the study. Interested women registered using a QR code, providing them with their data. Subsequently, a member of the research team contacted them to inform them about the study and arrange an appointment. At the face-to-face meeting, the study was explained to the participants again and their informed consent was obtained.

A total of 33 women participated in this study, of whom 11 were in the third trimester of pregnancy, 11 in the early postpartum period (0–5 months postpartum), and 11 in the late postpartum period (6–12 months postpartum). The mean age of the participants was 28.42 years. All were first-time mothers. There were no dropouts.

2.4. Ethics

This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Rey Juan Carlos University, ensuring compliance with all ethical and legal regulations. The participants provided their written informed consent, ensuring their voluntary participation and the confidential handling of the data. The protection of the identity of the participants was ensured by anonymizing the data in the transcripts.

2.5. Data Collection

Focus groups were conducted to examine diverse perspectives within the same group, understand the problems faced by the group, and help identify values and norms. Focus groups were formed following criteria of homogeneity, including participants who met the inclusion criteria mentioned above. To assign participants to each focus group, they were divided by stage (third trimester of pregnancy, early postpartum, and late postpartum) and then randomly distributed, maintaining an even proportion of participants across all groups.

Four focus groups were formed, without exceeding the limit of 10 participants per group, as a larger number would not provide additional relevant information. In total, there was one focus group of women in the third trimester of pregnancy (n = 8), one group of women in the early postpartum period (n = 8), one group of women in the late postpartum period (n = 8), and one mixed focus group (n = 9; 3 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, 3 women in the early postpartum period, and 3 women in the late postpartum period). The mixed focus group was formed with the purpose of analyzing how women at different times in the perinatal period described their needs and the differences between them, as well as to examine how a common framework was established that integrated the entire perinatal stage. Initially, focus groups were conducted separately for each stage, in order to examine their independent perspectives. A comparative analysis was then carried out to identify differences and similarities between the perspectives of each group.

Each focus group consisted of 8 or 9 participants, as smaller groups can make it difficult to maintain a meaningful discussion and larger groups can be difficult to manage. Randomization was performed to avoid selection bias within groups and proportional numbers of participants were established to avoid a single perspective.

2.6. Procedure

The focus groups followed a uniform structure and were conducted by a moderator and an observer [20]. The moderator posed questions to which each participant responded, respecting their turn to speak. The moderator then posed further questions based on the themes that emerged in the discussion, in order to further explore or clarify aspects, either individually or by the group as a whole. The observer supported the moderator, identifying key points and taking field notes.

The focus groups were conducted in Spanish. Before data collection, all participants had been informed about the study and were provided with a common definition of key terms based on existing literature.

A question guide was used that was focused enough to gather information about the study area, but open enough to stimulate discussion and interaction between participants.

All focus groups were audio-recorded. Permission to record the sessions was requested before starting the recordings. The total length of the recordings was 542 min, with an average duration of 135.5 min per session. The duration of this study was from November to December 2024.

Data collection continued until the researcher achieved data saturation, at which point no new information emerged from the data analysis.

2.7. Data Analysis

The qualitative data obtained were analyzed using NVivo 12 software (QSR International). A qualitative descriptive approach, with thematic and inductive analyses [26,27], was employed to identify relevant themes emerging from the participants’ narratives. Verbatim and anonymous transcripts were thoroughly reviewed to ensure a thorough understanding of the shared experiences.

2.8. Quality

This study was based on Lincoln and Guba’s recommendations to ensure research trustworthiness, using various techniques to establish credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability of data [19,20]. To ensure credibility, researcher triangulation was implemented during analysis and member checking. Transferability was achieved through a detailed description of the study. Confirmability was ensured through records of the reflexivity process and coding based on participants’ narratives. In addition, an external audit was conducted to verify trustworthiness [19,20].

3. Findings

To enhance clarity and facilitate interpretation, the findings have been organized into four thematic domains: physical aspects, emotional aspects, social aspects, and organizational aspects. This categorization reflects the natural grouping of issues that emerged during focus group discussions, allowing for a structured presentation of the participants’ experiences

The analysis of the focus groups revealed nine themes relevant to women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, highlighting the birth process, emotional management, acceptance of physical and mental changes, breastfeeding, sleep management, attachment and bonding, maternal identity, specialized resources, and setting limits. Each of these themes includes subthemes that reflect the concerns and experiences of women in this crucial period of their lives. Table 1 describes these themes and subthemes in detail, accompanied by representative phrases that justify their importance.

Table 1. Topic, subtopic, and representative quotes that describe the needs of Spanish women in the perinatal stage.

Category	Topic	Subtopic	Representative Quotes from the Study
Physical Aspects	Childbirth process	Preparation and planning	“I want to be well informed about the stages of labor and the different types, such as natural birth, home birth, cesarean section, different types to reduce pain” (pregnant woman), “I want to have a natural birth, but I am afraid of the pain” (pregnant woman), “I was very afraid of not knowing how to detect the signs of labor, I didn’t even trust that I knew how to give birth” (postpartum woman). “For me, it is very important that my decisions are respected and understood during the birth process” (pregnant woman), “I hope that my baby is healthy and that everything goes well during labor. It is something that I can’t stop thinking about” (pregnant woman) or “It all happened so fast. I was not given a choice. I feared for my baby’s life. It was very traumatic. “I wish I had had more information about the options available during labor or to have been prepared to face that moment with confidence” (postpartum woman).
		Pain management	“I don’t know if I can handle the pain of labor, so I’m considering an epidural” (pregnant woman), “I want to be prepared for anything that might come up during labor” (pregnant woman), “I’m worried about whether the pain I’m feeling in this last trimester is normal. I’m worried about having a premature birth” (pregnant woman), “I was very anxious about not knowing if I would be able to detect labor contractions and if that would affect my baby” (postpartum woman) or “I had the last month of pregnancy left over. I didn’t know how to handle the uncertainty of when I would give birth or the pain of the pre-labor contractions that I had for weeks” (postpartum woman).
	Lactation	Support and advice	“I hope to be able to breastfeed my baby, but I don’t know if I’ll have enough milk” (pregnant woman), “My environment pressures me to exclusively breastfeed but I don’t know if I want to” (pregnant woman), “My family pressured me to breastfeed and now they are pressuring me to stop because they think my baby is too big” (postpartum woman), “I have problems with the baby’s latch and I need help. It worries me a lot” (postpartum woman), “I am worried that by giving him formula milk in addition to the breast, he will end up rejecting the breast” (postpartum woman), “I want to find the best option for my child’s nutrition. There are many types of formula milk but I have no information about them.” (pregnant woman), “There are so many types of artificial milk that I am worried that I have not found the right one for my baby” (postpartum woman), “I don’t know whether to stop breastfeeding, they say that it will make the baby sleep more” (postpartum woman), “My baby won’t stop crying and my family pressures me to give him a bottle. According to them, “I am starving him. I am desperate” (postpartum woman), “Sometimes, when the baby demands the breast too often, I feel rejection towards him. It worries me” (postpartum woman), “I am worried that the nurses will pressure me to breastfeed. I do not want to do it and I do not want to feel bad for making this decision” (pregnant woman) or “I am worried about not having a good bond with my baby because I am not exclusively breastfeeding” (postpartum woman).
	Sleep management	Sleep strategies	“My baby sleeps too much and I don’t know if I should wake him up to eat” (postpartum woman), “My baby wakes up a lot, I’m exhausted” (postpartum woman), “I don’t know if it’s normal for him to wake up so many times during the night, it makes me very irritable” (postpartum woman), “I need solutions to get a good night’s sleep for both of us, I can’t perform at work” (postpartum woman), “I don’t know if I should sleep with my baby next to me because I’m afraid of falling asleep and crushing him” (postpartum woman), “I can’t take it anymore. I need to sleep. I just want to sleep for two hours straight.” (postpartum woman) or “I’m scared of being so tired that I won’t notice and won’t wake up if the baby cries” (pregnant woman).
Emotional aspects	Emotional regulation	Managing emotions	“Sometimes I feel very alone and anxious, I need to find a way to manage these emotions. They overwhelm me” (pregnant woman), “Guilt is the emotion that appears the moment you find out you are pregnant and it stays with you for the rest of your life” (postpartum woman), “I need to learn to communicate what I feel to the people around me. I don’t know how to do it and I feel bad about it” (postpartum woman), “Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and I need to talk to someone about my fears. I need someone to understand me.” (pregnant woman), “I feel invisible” (postpartum woman), “I feel guilty for not wanting to see anyone. I want to be at home, just the three of us (my partner, the baby and I)” (postpartum woman) or “I feel that the decisions I make about caring for my baby are not respected. I don’t know how to manage the anger I feel” (postpartum woman).
	Adaptation to physical and mental changes	Psychological adjustment	“It is a challenge for me to adapt to this new stage. I am not who I thought I was going to be” (postpartum woman), “Since I got pregnant my head is not the same. My memory is not the same” (pregnant woman), “I don’t recognize myself in this body. It was hard for me to accept that I couldn’t wear my clothes. It was traumatic to go shopping for maternity clothes” (pregnant woman), “I need to find a balance between my new identity as a mother and my sense of self” (postpartum woman), “I don’t know if I am doing it right and if I will be a good mother” (postpartum woman) or “I don’t know if I will be able to adapt to so many changes. Life changes, emotional changes, changes in thoughts…” (postpartum woman).
	Maternal identity	Personal balance	“Taking on this new role as a mother is overwhelming for me” (postpartum woman). “I feel lost at this stage” (postpartum woman), “I don’t recognize myself in this new stage and I miss myself” (postpartum woman), “I need to learn to maintain a balance between motherhood and my personal life” (postpartum woman), “I want to be who I was again” (postpartum woman), “I try to find a way to return to work without sacrificing my new role as a mother but it’s impossible” (postpartum woman), “I’m no longer competent at work” (postpartum woman), “I’m afraid of not recognizing myself in the postpartum period” (pregnant woman), “I’m scared of not knowing how to combine the life of a mother with the life I had before. I don’t want to lose that part of myself” (pregnant woman) or “I’m afraid of not knowing how to take care of my partner, of not getting back this life that I have that I like so much” (pregnant woman).
	Setting boundaries	Assertive communication	“I am afraid of giving birth because I don’t know how to tell my family not to come because I want to be alone with my partner and my baby” (pregnant woman), “I would go into the bathroom and cry, I didn’t know how to tell people to get out of my house” (postpartum woman), “I need to set boundaries, I feel like my personal space is not respected” (postpartum woman), “I need to learn to manage others’ expectations about what this new stage will be like. I don’t know how to tell them that it’s not going to be how they expect” (pregnant woman), “The baby is my child. I don’t know how to tell them that the decisions about his care are mine and his father’s” (postpartum woman), or “I need time to rest and take care of myself too. “I don’t know any other ways to tell my partner” (postpartum woman), “I feel like since the baby was born, we have lost as a couple. We don’t know how to communicate. We shout and blame each other. We are exhausted” (postpartum woman) or “My partner doesn’t understand me or I don’t know how to explain myself. I feel like the pregnancy is distancing us” (pregnant woman).
Social aspects	Attachment and bond	Support relationships	“For me, it is essential to have a strong and secure relationship with my partner to take care of the baby, but I don’t know if we have one. I am afraid that we will grow apart or that I won’t know how to manage the postpartum period” (pregnant woman). “I feel alone. In the end it all comes down to me. The baby belongs to the mother” (postpartum woman), “I don’t know how to ask for help anymore. The father is not able to perceive the baby’s signals” (postpartum woman), “I need my family to support me and help me. I ask for it and they don’t listen to me” (postpartum woman), “I need them to give me my space. “I am the mother and I am the one who makes the decisions about my child” (pregnant woman), “I need to be listened to and respected” (postpartum woman), “I don’t know if I feel what I should feel for my child” (postpartum woman), “I’m afraid I don’t love my child as much as I should. The kicks and feeling it bother me” (pregnant woman) or “I look at the baby and I don’t feel the love that they say we feel. It worries me” (postpartum woman).
Organizational aspects	Specialized resources	Community support	“It would be great if they offered support groups and workshops that allow us to share experiences and receive advice” (postpartum woman). “I would have liked to receive more information about professionals specialized in the perinatal stage and about the resources available to deal with the changes that motherhood entails. I didn’t know they existed” (postpartum woman). “I would like to speak with an expert in exclusive breastfeeding to make sure everything is going well” (postpartum woman) or “I would like to have information about professionals specialized in this stage for both me and my baby” (pregnant woman).

• Physical aspects
• Topic: Childbirth process

Women mentioned that mental and physical preparation is crucial to face the childbirth process. This topic turned out to be of great concern among women, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. This topic includes preparation and planning for childbirth and pain management.

• Subtopic: Preparation and planning

Women expressed a mix of desire and fear regarding the management of waiting for childbirth. In addition, they considered it essential to have a birth plan, to be informed about the steps that will be followed during childbirth, and for their decisions to be respected and understood during the process.

• Subtopic: Pain management

Pain management was a recurring aspect. Many women expressed uncertainty about their ability to manage the pain of childbirth and highlighted the need to be prepared for possible complications.

• Topic: Lactation

Breastfeeding is an area of great importance for women. They consider psychological preparation essential, especially for exclusive breastfeeding.

• Subtopic: Support and advice

Support and advice on breastfeeding in the postpartum period is highly valued. Women expressed concerns about exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and formula feeding. On the one hand, women who fed their babies through mixed or formula feeding expressed the need to have information about the different milk options and the latching technique. On the other hand, women who fed their babies through exclusive breastfeeding showed concerns related to the amount of milk their children ingest, their ability to breastfeed, or the dependence that this method implies. In addition, some postpartum women expressed additional concerns that relate to several of the extracted themes such as sleep and breastfeeding or breastfeeding and bonding.

• Topic: Sleep management

Sleep is a critical issue for mothers.

• Subtopic: Sleep strategies

Women seek strategies to manage their own sleep and fatigue, as well as improve the sleep of the newborn. Postpartum women expressed concerns about their baby’s sleep and their own rest.

• Emotional aspects
• Topic: Emotional management

Emotional evolution throughout the perinatal period is a critical aspect. Women mentioned facing a roller coaster of emotions that makes it difficult to adaptively experience the stage they are in.

• Subtopic: Managing emotions

Women mentioned the need to learn to manage emotions such as guilt, loneliness, anxiety, stress, depression, or uncertainty. In addition, they pointed out that learning to accept and express emotions is essential for them at this stage.

• Topic: Adaptation to physical and mental changes

Acceptance of physical and mental changes during pregnancy and postpartum is a complex process that seems to affect women’s self-esteem and self-image.

• Subtopic: Psychological adjustment

Women mentioned being overwhelmed by the physical changes typical of this stage and also expressed concern about changes at a mental level. They considered it important to take time to understand and adapt to these changes and find a balance between their new identity as a mother and their sense of self.

• Topic: Maternal identity

The change in identity after the birth of the baby is a fundamental issue for women.

• Subtopic: Personal balance

Women seek to adapt to their new role as mothers. The recovery of personal identity is vital for women, especially in the postpartum period. Work conflict is also a concern.

• Topic: Setting boundaries

Women reported how important it is for them to learn to set boundaries.

• Subtopic: Assertive communication

Women feel the need to establish clear boundaries with family and the environment to protect their personal space and their decisions. Managing the visits in the first days postpartum was one of the most mentioned topics. Assertive communication is essential.

• Social aspects
• Topic: Attachment and bonding

Attachment and bonding with the baby is a primary issue among women. Ensuring and reestablishing good bonds with the partner, family, and baby are of great concern to these women.

• Subtopic: Supportive relationships

Women expressed the need to have a strong and secure relationship with their partner to care for the baby. They also valued bonds with family members and expressed the need to establish clear boundaries with family and the environment to protect their personal space and their decisions.

• Organizational aspects
• Topic: Specialized resources

Information on available maternity resources seems to be an essential issue for women to feel supported and well informed.

• Subtopic: Community support

Community support resources, such as support groups and workshops, are valued for providing a space to share experiences and obtain advice. Care from specialized professionals is also important.

4. Discussion

The findings obtained from qualitative interviews with pregnant women and new mothers in Spain revealed a wide range of needs and beliefs that are both universal and specific to the Spanish cultural context. This study highlights the importance of providing comprehensive support that encompasses both physical and emotional aspects during pregnancy and postpartum.

Analysis indicates that mental and physical preparation for childbirth is a central concern for women in Spain. Participants expressed a common desire to be well informed about different types of birth, possible complications, and indicators that allow them to detect when they are in labor. This desire for information aligns with previous studies suggesting that prenatal education can reduce anxiety and increase satisfaction with the birth experience [28,29]. Pain management during childbirth was also highlighted as a significant concern. Many women expressed fear of pain and a need to learn effective techniques to manage it. These findings are consistent with research that underscores the importance of pain management as a crucial component of perinatal care [30].

Emotional management appears to be a fundamental aspect during the perinatal stage. Emotions of loneliness, guilt, sadness, nervousness, uncertainty, incomprehension, solitude, or anxiety emerged as recurrent themes during pregnancy and postpartum. These emotions are linked to doubts about the ability to be a good mother and to manage the stress associated with motherhood. The need for emotional support and strategies to manage emotions is consistent with studies that point out the relevance of psychological support to improve the emotional well-being of mothers [31]. Acceptance of physical and mental changes was also a crucial theme. Concerns about self-image and self-esteem reflect the difficulty that many women face in adapting to postpartum body changes. These concerns are well documented in the literature, which indicates that body image and self-esteem can be significantly affected during the perinatal period [32,33].

A particularly notable aspect of this study was the transition from the role of woman to mother, a process that involves mourning the loss of a part of the pre-existing identity. This mourning manifests itself as a sense of loss of independence and competence in previous roles, especially in the workplace. Women, regardless of where they were in the perinatal stage, expressed feelings of uncertainty about their ability to perform the new maternal role and the need for ongoing support to cope with these changes. This mourning for the loss of the previous identity is in line with Mercer’s maternal identity theory, which posits that the transition to motherhood is a process of reconfiguring personal identity [1]. Furthermore, the conflict between the expectations of traditional motherhood, which value time spent caring for children, and the pressures of modern motherhood, which emphasize a quick return to the workplace, was evident [34]. This duality reflects a significant cultural tension in Spanish society, where women must navigate between these divergent models of motherhood, which can amplify stress and a sense of role conflict [5].

Breastfeeding was highlighted as an area of high concern, with beliefs about its benefits and challenges. Women expressed doubts about their ability to breastfeed and underlined the need for specialized support. These findings align with research highlighting the importance of professional support for breastfeeding success [35,36]. Infant sleep was another common concern, with mothers seeking strategies to improve infant sleep and their own. The literature supports the need to educate parents about safe and effective sleep practices [37,38].

Forming healthy bonds with the baby, partner, and family members is critical to maternal well-being. Participants highlighted the importance of their partners’ involvement and the need for community workshops and resources. These findings are in line with studies showing that social and family support are crucial to adjustment to motherhood [39,40].

Boundary setting was another theme that was highlighted in this study. Women expressed the need to set clear boundaries on their roles and responsibilities as mothers. This may include the need to balance time spent caring for the baby with time for self-care, work, and other responsibilities. It may also involve the need to set boundaries with others in terms of expectations and demands. Boundary setting is an important aspect of adjusting to motherhood and can help women manage stress and maintain a sense of balance in their lives.

Specialized resources were also an important theme in this study. Women expressed the need to have access to accurate and up-to-date information about pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care. They also expressed the need for emotional and physical support during this period. This may include access to mental health professionals, physical therapists specializing in women’s health, and support groups for mothers, among others. The need for these resources is supported by literature that highlights the importance of access to information and support networks during the perinatal period [40,41].

Our findings underscore the critical interplay between the psychological needs of perinatal women and the existing landscape of service provision in Spain [42,43]. Participants frequently reported feelings of isolation, inadequate support for pain management, and limited access to specialized care—issues that mirror the inconsistencies in perinatal services across different regions. These results highlight the urgent need for the development of standardized, culturally sensitive support programs that can bridge current gaps in service provision. Integrating our findings with an analysis of the current perinatal care context reinforces the call for policy reforms aimed at ensuring equitable and comprehensive support for all women during this transformative stage.

Based on the organized thematic findings, several specific intervention strategies can be proposed. First, regarding physical aspects, it is recommended to enhance prenatal education programs by incorporating comprehensive modules on childbirth preparation, pain management techniques, and postnatal lactation support. This approach aims to provide expectant mothers with both the knowledge and practical tools needed to navigate childbirth and postpartum challenges more effectively. Second, in the domain of emotional aspects, developing targeted support groups and counseling services can address common issues such as anxiety, loneliness, and identity transitions during the perinatal period. By offering a safe environment for sharing experiences, these interventions can foster emotional resilience and well-being among pregnant and postpartum women. Third, under social aspects, promoting strategies that strengthen family and partner support networks ensures that women receive adequate social backing throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Emphasizing collaboration between partners, relatives, and community resources can enhance the quality of care and reduce the sense of isolation often reported by new mothers. Finally, in organizational aspects, standardizing perinatal care protocols across regions and improving access to specialized resources are crucial steps toward ensuring equitable quality and accessibility of services. These measures directly address the existing gaps in perinatal care provision, ultimately supporting better maternal outcomes.

In summary, these recommendations, derived directly from our data, aim to improve maternal well-being and address the identified shortcomings in Spain’s current perinatal service provision. These recommendations are consistent with previous research in this field [29,31,36,37] and underline the importance of tailored and culturally sensitive interventions in the perinatal context. Future policies and programs should consider these targeted interventions to foster a more supportive environment for pregnant and postpartum women.

This study has several limitations. First, it was based on qualitative interviews via focus groups, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Second, the study focused only on nulliparous or primiparous Spanish women, which might not reflect the experiences of women from other cultural contexts and multiparous women. Third, all of the women participating in the study had a low-risk obstetric pregnancy. Thus, repeating the study with women with high-risk pregnancies could help expand the findings.

The practical applications of this study are broad. The findings can inform the development of perinatal support programs that are culturally sensitive and address both universal and specific concerns of Spanish women. It is crucial that these programs include prenatal education, pain management strategies, emotional support, and access to specialized resources. In addition, workshops and support groups should be promoted to foster healthy bonds and provide a safe space to share experiences. It is critical that these programs also address maternal identity transition and role conflict, providing tools and support to help women integrate their new identity as mothers while maintaining their sense of self and productivity in other aspects of their lives, such as the workplace.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, the findings of this qualitative study highlight the diversity of needs of pregnant women and new mothers in Spain. Understanding these experiences is critical to developing effective and culturally sensitive perinatal support programs. Interventions should address both universal concerns and those specific to the Spanish context, providing comprehensive support including education, pain management, emotional support, and access to specialized resources.