The author studied the analytic sessions of a pregnant patient just before and after she gave birth. The session material demonstrated that Winnicott's concept of primary maternal preoccupation accurately describes the emotional experience of both the patient and the analyst. It appears that Winnicott's concept can be considered analogous to a narcissistic maternal-child transference and countertransference relationship. The development of this transference situation was necessary to enable the patient to accept her identification with both her infant and her mother.