Relationship between Maternal Fetal Attachment and Self-Care Practices among Pregnant Women

Abstract

Maternal–fetal attachment plays a key role in both the maternal and fetal health. Higher levels of maternal–fetal attachment can be considered as a great motivator for the woman to adopt good self-care practices which is the corner stones for safe passage through pregnancy. Objective: Identify the relationship between maternal-fetal attachment and self-care practices among pregnant women. Setting: Outpatient clinic of antenatal unit at El- Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria governorate. Subjects: A convenience sample of 375 pregnant women. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection: I. Basic Data Structured Interview Schedule, II. Maternal Fetal Attachment (MFA) Structured Interview Schedule, and III. Prenatal Self Care Practices Interview Schedule. Results: The present study findings showed a positive statistically significant correlation between pregnant women's overall maternal-fetal attachment level and their overall self-care practices. Conclusion: Maternal fetal attachment levels among the study subjects were significantly correlated with self care practices. Recommendations: Antenatal maternity nurses should consider the relationship between maternal fetal attachment and self care practices in their routine assessment and health education.