Abstract
Current literature neglects the topic of mother-daughter incest. This exploratory study contributes to the development of hypotheses regarding the impact of sexual abuse by mother figures on women's transitions into motherhood and begins to answer the broad questions of: (a) what happens when women who were sexually abused by mother figures become mothers themselves, and (b) what are their experiences as they transition into motherhood? Participants were interviewed using an in-depth phenomenologically based approach. Patterns noted include, but are not limited to: Ambivalence about having children and becoming mothers, a fear that they lack knowledge of mothering, and an active seeking of support and guidance in parenting.