Suaad Moussa

Citation:

Moussa, S., O. Refaat, M. Emad Eldin, A. Khoweiled, T. Goueli, and M. Ezzat, "Correlates of Antenatal Bonding: An Egyptian Study", Egyptian J of Psychiatry, vol. 33, issue 3, pp. 126 - 134, 2012.

Abstract:

Background: The relationship between mother and child develops and progresses throughout the pregnancy period. Recently there has been an increasing interest in the antenatal maternal-fetal bonding and its relation to different variables, as well as the impact of this bonding on the child's mental health.
Objectives: to investigate the pattern of maternal-fetal relationship during pregnancy, and its relation to maternal depression as well as to different sociodemographic and pregnancy-related factors, and perception of intimate relation with spouse. Methods: 100 Egyptian expecting mothers attending the Obstetric outpatient clinics for regular follow up of their pregnancy were recruited in the study. They were asked to fill the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), the Intimate Bond Measure (IBM) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Results: Maternal antenatal bonding was significantly higher on the MFAS in expecting mothers with longer gestational age. Women with assisted pregnancy had significantly higher scores on MFAS total score and Role Taking and Attribution subscales. However, if the cause of infertility was unexplained or related to female factors, the aforementioned MFAS scores tend to be significantly lower than those with infertility related to male or both factors. Primiparous had significantly higher scores on the MFAS total score and Role Taking and Differentiation subscales than multiparous. Women who perceived themselves as being healthy were having significant higher score on the Interaction subscale of MFAS. In this study the intimate relation with the spouse, and not the marriage duration, was showing significant differences regarding maternal bonding. Expectant mothers that reported positive attitude toward their marital relation (Optimal Intimacy and Affectionate Constraint) had significant higher means on the total score of the MFAS as well as the Interaction, Giving of self and Role Taking subscales. The study showed that expectant women with previous loss of fetus and those with no depressive symptoms had better bonding despite the lack of significance.
Conclusions: Maternal antenatal bonding is associated with multiple factors including; longer gestational age, parity, previous loss of fetus, assisted pregnancy, perceived good maternal health, and intimacy with partner.