Final answer:
The mother will relinquish the baby of her fantasies and accept the real baby during the 'letting-go' phase of maternal adjustment. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the phase of maternal adjustment known as letting-go, a mother will relinquish the baby of her fantasies and accept the real baby. This phase is part of the emotional and psychological adjustments a mother makes after giving birth, which involves acknowledging and grieving the loss of the idealized child and embracing the actual child with their unique characteristics. This process allows the mother to bond with and meet the needs of her real baby.
The letting-go phase contrasts with earlier stages, such as taking-in, where the mother is primarily focused on her own recovery and processing the birth experience, and taking-hold, where she starts to take more initiative in caring for the baby and may still be influenced by her expectations.