Iran Journal of Nursing

 Background & Aim: Although pregnancy is one of the loveliest events in the developmental processes of a woman’s life, history of previous fetal or neonatal death may have a negative effect on the adaptation of woman for her new pregnancy. It can also have a major influence on development of emotional distress in the attachment between mother and her fetus. This study has been done to assess and compare maternal fetal attachment of primgravidas and multigravidas women with past history of fetal or neonatal death which haven’t had living child.

 Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty literate Iranian pregnant volunteer women with the ages of 20-40 years were selected by non-randomized sampling method (sequential) during their 3rd trimester of planned current pregnancy. Forty samples didn’t have living child, had past history of fetal or neonatal death and 80 samples were primigravidas. The tools of this study that filled in by samples had two main parts of “personal demographics” and “maternal fetal attachment scale” (MFAS). 

  Results: A statistically significant difference was found in 5 subscales of the MFAS between the primigravidas and multigravidas women with past history of fetal or neonatal death. The average score of every subscales of maternal fetal attachment in primigravidas women was higher in comparison with multigravidas women. The independent t-test also showed a statistically significant difference between average of total score of maternal fetal attachment between two groups (P=0.000).

  Conclusion: Due to lesser maternal fetal attachment in the multigravidas women with past history of fetal or neonatal death it is necessary to plan supportive, educational, and counseling program for this vulnerable group. The researchers suggest replicating the study during the first and second trimester of pregnancy and postpartum period of women with past history of fetal or neonatal death and also, in clients referred to the other clinics.