Original articles
The relation between maternal-fetal attachment and behavior in daily life of primigravid women
2011 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 203-214
Details
2011 Volume 25 Issue 2 Pages 203-214
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine this relation between maternal-fetal attachment and behavior in daily life of primigravid women.
Methods
The participants of this study were 1,024 primigravid women in their third trimester that had already undergone an antenatal examination. Anonymous questionnaire were distributed to 40 hospitals and maternity centers in Hokkaido and returned by mail. Contents of the questionnaire consisted of information concerning fundamental attributes, pregnancy-related variables, Japanese translations of the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and questions about participants' behavior in daily life during pregnancy (such as meal habits, sleeping and exercise). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and nonparametric test.
Results
Of the 575 questionnaires collected, 440 were relevant to the analysis (valid response rate=43.0%). The average age of the subjects was 29, they were between 28 and 39 weeks gestation at the time. Issues that showed significant differences during the height fluctuations of maternal-fetal attachment concerned hopes and plans for the pregnancy, feelings of the pregnancy, images of the feelings and experiences subjects would have concerning the infant's care (ages 0-6 years), high self-esteem, meal habits during pregnancy, consciousness of consuming foods with higher iron content, sleeping during the day and exercise habits.
Conclusion
It is clinically useful to consider the behavior in daily life such as meal regularity, consciousness of consuming foods with higher iron content, allotting time to sleep during the day, and exercise as an objective index. These are issues that improve the maternal-fetal attachment. Research findings to date indicate that the consciousness of the primigravid women which values fetal well-being and growth serves as intrinsic motivation of the behavior in daily life of health.
