Aim: This article is a report of a study of the differences in maternal-foetal attachment and maternal-infant attachment among naturally pregnant and infertility-treated pregnant women in Taiwan.
Background: Studies have shown that infertility treatment is likely to make up an increasing proportion in the coming years. As these experiences are unique, the attachment relationship may be affected.
Method: The research data were collected from two obstetrics clinics which were located in central Taiwan. In 2008, all participants (n = 125) were asked to fill out the prenatal questionnaires at the beginning of the study and were followed up with postnatal questionnaires that were mailed to them 1-2 months after labour (n = 110). We used chi-square tests for categorical and t- tests for continuous variables. Multivariate analysis of variances was then performed, and changes in the maternal-foetal attachment and maternal-infant attachment Scales were assessed.
Findings: Women who became pregnant after fertility treatment had higher maternal-foetus and maternal-infant attachment scores, and this result was statistically significant; pregnancy mode and level of education are the main factors that have a significant effect on maternal-foetus attachment; and pregnancy mode and participation in prenatal education have a main effect on maternal-infant attachment.
Conclusion: Development of a specific support group for mothers, such as a group for prenatal education, and providing useful resources for pregnant women with a lower level of education are involved in the future research studies for therapeutic intervention.
© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.