Maternal-Fetal Attachment Levels in The Prenatal Period and the Factors Affecting It

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 134 - 139, 01.01.2023

Elif Dağlı Sevil İnal

https://doi.org/10.19127/bshealthscience.1196643

Abstract

Attachment, which begins in the prenatal period, is an important determinant for maternal and fetal/infant health. The mother, who is attached to her baby with love, contributes positively to the healthy growth and development of the baby. This study aimed to determine maternal-fetal attachment levels in the prenatal period and the factors affecting it. The study, which used a cross-sectional design, was conducted on women with pregnancy presenting to the obstetrics outpatient clinic of a state hospital. The study consisted of a total of 170 women with pregnancy who presented to the outpatient clinic for general control. The study data were collected face-to-face using a questionnaire and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI). The findings also indicated that the mean age of women with pregnancy was 27.26±5.62 (years), the mean current gestational week was 33.48±3.12 (week), and the mean PAI score was 65.54±10.40. A statistically significant relationship was determined between the mean PAI scores of the women with pregnancy and their income level, employment status, sex of baby, and getting the support of the spouse during pregnancy (P<0.05). In this study, the prenatal attachment level of women with pregnancy was found to be at a good level. The women with pregnancy who had a good income level, employed, had a baby with the desired sex, and had good support from their spouse during pregnancy were found to have better prenatal attachment levels. Knowing the factors that can affect attachment and assessing the attachment levels of women with pregnancy can help identify risky mothers-babies.

Keywords

Prenatal attachment, Maternal-fetal attachment, Pregnant, Midwife

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