The Effect of Self-made Fetal Movement and Position Tracking on Prenatal Attachment and Pregnancy Distress
Condition: Prenatal Attachment; Fetal Position Tracking; Distress
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study was conducted to determine the effect of self-made fetal movement counting and
      fetal position tracking on prenatal attachment and prenatal distress.
    

Detailed description: 
      Attachment, which is the basis for establishing social relationships, is the intense feelings
      that people develop towards the people they consider important. These strong emotions begin
      with the mother, who is the first person to interact with the individual. When the woman
      learns that she is pregnant, she becomes curious about her baby, dreams related to the baby,
      and starts communicating with her baby. Therefore, when baby movements are felt, prenatal
      attachment becomes stronger, and the cornerstones of attachment are formed.

      The early development of safe and positive attachment composes the basis of healthy
      development. In the later years of childhood, safe attachment is effective on healthy
      processes, such as being more positive, establishing close, constructive and respectful
      relationships, and a high sense of trust, while unsafe attachment is associated with
      emotional, social, physical, and mental psychopathologies.

      The mother's touching her baby over her abdomen, trying to guess the parts of the baby,
      following baby movements, communicating with the baby by focusing and spending private time
      with the baby increase the physical and psychological contact with the baby. Thus, the baby
      can be accepted by the mother as an individual, and the attachment between the mother and
      baby can increase.

      Fetal movement counting is defined as tracking uninterrupted fetal movements for at least
      15-20 minutes by lying on the left side in a calm environment at any time during the day when
      this baby is awake. Fetal position tracking is described as trying to guess the parts of the
      baby by placing the mother's hand on the abdomen. Thanks to fetal movement and position
      tracking, the state of fetal health can be determined, mother-baby attachment can be
      increased, and pregnancy distress can be reduced. Pregnant women also may experience negative
      emotions because of stress, anxiety, anxious anticipation, deterioration of body perception,
      adaptation to the new situation, anxiety about being a parent, increasing financial needs,
      fear of birth, and insufficient social support. Hence pregnancy distress can prevent a
      pleasant pregnancy period and can cause a negative effect on mother-baby attachment.

      In order to increase attachment, mothers can be trained on fetal movement and position
      tracking. This training can be integrated into routine prenatal care since it can be taught
      quickly. Moreover, it is helpful and economically viable and providing early recognition of
      fetal risk.

      This study was conducted to determine the effect of self-made fetal movement and position
      tracking on prenatal attachment and pregnancy distress.
    

Intervention name(s): Experimental
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Pregnant women were trained to implement fetal movement count and position tracking. The training was provided face to face and lasted 30-45 minutes. The training content included topics such as setting a comfortable environment and suitable position for the pregnant, when the fetus is active and asleep during the day, how to count and how to evaluate the movements. How to determine the position of the fetus and I. and II. Leopold maneuvers are also taught. In the second stage, the pregnant women were interviewed twice a week by telephone.Thus, it was provided that pregnant women had fetal tracked at least once a day, at any time of the day, when the fetus was awake and most active, in a suitable position and a comfortable environment, for at least 15-20 minutes continuously for four weeks. Pregnant women phoned the researcher when they wanted. At the same time, the participants continued to their routine prenatal care.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Prenatal attachment; Pregnancy; Fetal Position Tracking; Fetal Movement Count; Distress