Husband's Support, Anxiety and Maternal-Fetal Attachment in Pregnant Women: a Scoping Review

Abstract

MFA is an emotional bond that develops between mother and fetus. Maternal-fetal attachment is based on cognitive representations such as thoughts, feelings, and behaviors representing a pregnant mother's affection for her fetus. Husband's support and anxiety are factors that influence the quality of MFA and birth outcomes. Objective: to analyze husband's support, anxiety level and MFA level. Method: Scoping review using the PRISMA Scr framework. Using the PICO Framework, the search strategy was searched using keywords in the Scopus, Ebsco, Pubmed, ScienceDirect and Proquest databases. Critical Assessment is done with JBI. Results: 14 articles were obtained that were screened using the PRISMA ScR framework, 50% came from developing countries and 50% from developed countries. Articles with cross-sectional research methods, cohort and longitudinal studies each 28.6% and case control studies 14.2%. JBI results from 14 articles resulted in a score of > 50% so it was accepted. Conclusion: MFA is influenced by husband's support and anxiety which impacts birth outcomes and infant development. Efforts are needed to increase MFA through MFA training for pregnant women and constructive anxiety management

Perceptions of primigravida and their husbands regarding the need for maternal-fetal attachment stimulation

“…In pregnant women, the heavier the burden of the womb and the greater the number of physical discomforts, the psychological condition becomes disturbed. Signs of pregnant women with emotional problems include frequent worry, unstable emotions, difficulty concentrating or getting dizzy easily [26], [28]. This emotional change was expressed by all participants.…”

“…Mothers who demonstrated more intense MFA behavior showed more involvement in mother-infant interactions around 12 weeks postnatal. Mothers who experience MFA disorders show a decreased ability to understand and interpret the baby's signals and respond inappropriately to the baby's needs [11], [26]. Babies born with a history of good MFA, and good mother-baby bonding after birth, produce healthy babies, and more optimal cognitive, mental, and social development of the baby.…”

“…Husband's support is an important factor influencing the safety and comfort of pregnant women. The husband is the closest source of support emotionally, able to provide calm, safety and comfort to pregnant women which affects the fetus, stimulates optimal growth and development [26], [28], [33]. Participants who were pregnant women and their husbands expressed the support provided by their husbands, but limited to meeting the needs of the pregnancy, accompanying them on walks, taking check-ups but waiting outside.…”

Participant analysis of the need for prenatal attachment education packages

“…Purwati et al / KONTAKT 2 Emotional changes in pregnant women occur in line with changes in pregnancy hormones, leading to mood swings, irritability, irritation, crying, or anxiety. These changes negatively impact the emotional bond between mother and fetus, resulting in a lack of affection for the fetus, neglect, or even harm to the fetus, which may pose risks to fetal welfare and survival (Purwati et al, 2023). Mothers with poor maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) may struggle to understand and interpret the baby's signals and respond less appropriately to the baby's needs.…”

F-KiCo (Fetal-Kick Count) Innovation Needs Analysis for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being and Maternal-Fetal Attachment

“…Pregnancy adaptation is an important basis for the mother to build a relationship with the fetus during pregnancy (AlAmri & Smith, 2022;Berthelot et al, 2020). Maternal-Fetal Attachment (MFA) is a bond of attachment between mother and baby with love and affection, plays an important role in the health of the mother and fetus and influences the mother's decision to behave healthily during pregnancy, this was revealed in research (Wahyuntari & Puspitasari, 2021;Purwati et al, 2023). The maternal-fetal attachment relationship contributes to the protection provided by the mother to the fetus, reflected in the behavior of attention, love, affection, touch, communication, monitoring of fetal movements and fetal care activities (Baltacı & Başer, 2018;Khalili et al, 2020).…”