Perinatal attachment in naturally pregnant and infertility-treated pregnant women in Taiwan

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.