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Maternity nursing has been redefined several times as patient needs have been more broadly identified. Changing social factors and consumer demands warrant still another look at the way needs of maternity patients are interpreted. Relevant social changes which need to be considered include: client dissatisfaction with a fragmented and depersonalizing system of health care, movement away from rigid and traditional definitions of masculinity and femininity, and lack of preparation for, and confusion about, parenthood. Each of these changes are examined and recommendations are made as to how nurses may better deal with them.