THE EFFECT OF HAPTOTHERAPY APPLİCATİON ON PRE-NATAL ATTACHMENT AND ANXİETY LEVELS İN PREG-NANT WOMEN WİTH A HİSTORY OF ABORTİON

Pregnancy is a multifaceted transformation in a woman's life that goes beyond biological changes, encompassing psychological, social, and existential dimensions. During this process, significant changes occur not only in the mother's body but also in her sense of identity, emotional regulation skills, and interpersonal relationships. As the fetus's neurodevelopmental capacity progresses, a reciprocal, interactive relationship begins to develop between mother and fetus, particularly from the second half of pregnancy onwards. This relationship is defined as the prenatal attachment process, which forms the basis of postnatal bonding. Prenatal attachment is a critical developmental area for the mother to mentally and emotionally represent her fetus, interact with it, and prepare for her role as a mother. This attachment process is influenced by numerous variables, including individual characteristics, psychological state, level of social support, and obstetric history. Experiences of loss before or during pregnancy can significantly alter the course of this process. Increased anxiety, feelings of uncertainty, and negative expectations are commonly observed in women who have experienced abortion, stillbirth, or neonatal loss in subsequent pregnancies. This situation can make it difficult for the mother to emotionally invest in the fetus, leading to delays or weakening of the bonding process. Anxiety and stress responses following prenatal loss experiences can affect not only the mother's mental health but also the physiological course of pregnancy and fetal development. Research shows that women who experience high levels of stress and anxiety during the prenatal period are more likely to have premature birth, low birth weight, and long-term cognitive and behavioral problems in their children. Therefore, it is important to provide psychosocial support to pregnant women, especially those in at-risk groups, and to implement interventions that will strengthen prenatal bonding. At this point, holistic approaches aimed at increasing mother-fetus interaction are noteworthy. Haptonomy, as a method based on tactile contact and emotional awareness, aims to support the establishment of a trust-based bond between mother and fetus. This approach is based on accepting not only the physical existence of the individual but also their emotional and existential integrity. During haptonomy interventions, the goal is to increase the expectant mother's awareness of her own body and emotions, and then to encourage conscious and reciprocal communication with the fetus. Including the partner in this process can contribute to strengthening family bonds. Current studies show that haptonomy can reduce perceived stress levels in pregnant women, alleviate fear of childbirth, and strengthen prenatal bonding. There is also evidence that this method can have positive effects on newborn behavior. However, studies examining the effects of haptonomy, particularly in pregnant women who have experienced prenatal loss, are limited. This indicates a significant research gap in identifying effective and applicable interventions in this population. This study aims to evaluate the effect of haptonomy intervention on prenatal bonding and anxiety levels in pregnant women who have experienced abortion. The study hypothesizes that haptonomy intervention will strengthen mother-fetus interaction by reducing anxiety, stress, and negative cognitive processes frequently observed in post-loss pregnancy. The results are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based practices for supporting mental health during pregnancy and to provide guidance for improving the quality of care, particularly in high-risk pregnancy groups.