My cat has never had kittens of her own, but she is always trying to take care of other
animals, even children. She has a significant maternal instinct that seems to be always
available to those who need her. She meows in an attempt to comfort my crying baby sister.
She even adopted a family of baby squirrels one spring.
What does the word maternal mean in the paragraph?

A)leading to motherhood
B)common to mothers
C)planning for motherhood
D)support for mothers