Effect of group counseling on maternal fetal attachment in women with unplanned pregnancy

Background and purpose: Improving the emotional relationship between mother and fetus, especially in unwanted pregnancy, is associated with many positive consequences for mother and child. Therefore, the present study aimed at determining the effect of group counseling on maternal-fetal attachment in mothers with unwanted pregnancy. Methodology: This study was a randomized clinical trial. Samples were 80 mothers with unwanted pregnancy who referred to health centers of Karaj during 28 to 34 weeks who were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (N = 40) and control group (N = 40). In the intervention group, four weekly group counseling sessions were held to create maternal-fetal attachment and the control group received routine care. General Health Questionnaire and Cranley questionnaire were used to assess the attachment of mother to fetus before and two weeks after counseling. Comparison of maternal-fetal attachment scores between the two groups and between the groups was done by student’s t-test and paired t-test. Covariance analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of intervention and the degree of pregnancy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. Findings: There were no significant difference between the two groups in terms of general health scores and attachment of mother to fetus before intervention, but after the intervention, the mean scores of maternal-fetal attachment in the intervention group had a significant difference with the control group (p<0.001); ANCOVA test indicated that attachment scores was significant in terms of intervention and pregnancy group. Maternal-fetal attachment scores in the primiparous group has increased more than multiparous group (p=0.041). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of group counseling in improving maternal-fetal attachment in unwanted pregnancy, it can be used in prenatal care. Keywords: Maternal-fetal attachment, attachment behaviors, unwanted pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, group counseling