J Korean Acad Child Health Nurs.  2012 Jul;18(3):150-156.

Factors associated with Maternal-fetal Attachment of Expectant Mothers Whose Fetus Has a Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease

• Im YM
• Kim ES
• Yoo IY

Abstract

PURPOSE
The main purposes of this study were to assess maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) of the expectant mothers of a fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) and to identify factors associated with MFA.
METHODS
The methodology was a cross sectional survey study using a self-administered questionnaire. Thirty pregnant women carrying a fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of CHD and 30 pregnant women with a normal fetus were enrolled in this study. The MFA Scale and PPS (The Prenatal Psychosocial Profile) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 Window version. Descriptive statistics, chi2-test and t-test were used to compare the two groups. The factors associated with MFA were identified by multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the two groups in MFA and social support from spouse was the only variable showing a significant difference. The model from the multiple regression analysis explained 33.8% of MFA for both groups.
CONCLUSION
MFA of expectant mothers with a prenatal diagnosis of CHD and of mothers with a normal fetus were not significantly different. It is important that health care providers encourage expectant fathers to support the expectant mothers to increase MFA.

Keyword

Congenital heart disease; Maternal-fetal relations; Social support; Nursing

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Fathers
Female
Fetus
Health Personnel
Heart
Heart Diseases
Humans
Lifting
Maternal-Fetal Relations
Mothers
Pregnant Women
Prenatal Diagnosis
Spouses
Child Health
Surveys and Questionnaires