The objective of this qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study is to identify and analyze the maternal feelings mothers expressed during intimate contact with their children, immediately upon birth. It was carried out in the Obstetrics Center of the University Hospital at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, from August to November of 2008. Data was collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, involving eleven women and their children. Analysis was based upon reflective support from the Attachment Theory (Teoria do Apego). Five categories emerged: a) Feelings from the moment of expulsion: the anxious wait for the baby's cry; b) Receiving the child; c) Feelings as the child's responses to approximation; d) The first separation; and, e) Feelings towards the companion in initial approximations with their child. We conclude that initial contacts, according to women, are preponderant towards promoting recognition between mother and child, stimulating and giving incentive towards learning cultural tasks in maternity.
Affect; Mother-child relations; Humanized birth; Newborn; Nursing