The present study investigated the mother's relationship with her female support figures and the feelings regarding motherhood, in the first quarter of the baby's life. Forty-seven primiparus mothers, of varied socioeconomic levels, with a stable relationship with their partners, took part in the study. Through an individual interview we investigated who were the people who gave support to the mother and which was their participation. The mothers said they had a female support figure (98%) and in most cases (54%) these women served as identification models, being most of them (47%) their own mothers. The partners were mentioned in all cases as somebody who offered help in caring for the baby and/or in the domestic activities. The findings support the literature that indicates that in spite of the importance of the husband, female support figures are very important during this period, to give support, be together, as well as to value and instruct the new mother, serving as identification models for them.
Female support figures; maternal feelings; identification models