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

Eltomy, Esraa Hamoda; Essa, Rasha Mohamed; Fathalla, Naglaa Fathy

doi:10.21608/asalexu.2020.206110

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

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

¹ Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

² Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University

10.21608/asalexu.2020.206110

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.

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