The relationship between mindfulness and maternal attachment to the fetus and neonate in prenatal and postpartum periods: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Mindfulness is one of the important factors that predicts the attachment between mother and her fetus or neonate. It varies among different cultures and countries. Thereby, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Mindfulness and Maternal attachment to the fetus and neonate in prenatal and postpartum periods. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study was carried out with 347 primigravida women referred to Mashhad health care centres. The study performed with two stage sampling method (cluster-convenience) in 2014. Demographic/prenatal characteristics questioners including, mindfulness (39Q), fatal-maternal attachment (21Q) and maternal-neonatal attachment (22Q) were completed by the participants. Results: In the prenatal period, the mean (±SD) value for total Mindfulness and Maternal-fetal attachment were 112.8 (±12.8) and 59.89 (±8.6) and in the postpartum were 116.8(±13.4) and 71(±0.01), respectfully. Also there was a positive correlation between Maternal-fatal-Attachment in prenatal and postnatal period (P=0.40,r=0.102; P=0.16, r=0.129 respectively). Conclusion: There was a correlation between Mindfulness and Maternal-fatal and neonate Attachment in the prenatal and postpartumperiods. Therefore, it is advisable that community health caregivers and midwives receive trainings regarding psychological problems during perinatal, which could be beneficial for early diagnosing and identifying such disorders. © 2016, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.