Couples’ prenatal bonding to the fetus and the association with one's own and partner's emotional well-being and adult romantic attachment style

Objective

Developing an emotional bond to the fetus is a highly relevant task for both parents. However, research on the influence of emotional well-being and relationship dynamics on parental-fetal bonding is limited, especially regarding the paternal experience. Additionally, the roles of prenatal anxiety and hostility in parental bonding need further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of one's own anxiety and hostility, adult romantic attachment style and one's partner's anxiety and hostility for parental-fetal bonding quality and intensity.
Design

Data were assessed cross-sectionally and analyzed using linear regression models.
Setting

The study took place at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
Participants

Ninety-three pregnant women and their partners (total n = 186).
Measurements and findings

Participants completed questionnaires in mid to late pregnancy. For mothers, higher levels of hostility and attachment-related avoidance were associated with lower bonding quality. Unexpectedly, higher levels of partner hostility were associated with higher bonding quality. Fathers with higher attachment-related avoidance reported lower bonding intensity. Neither maternal bonding intensity nor paternal bonding quality was associated with the predictor variables.
Key conclusion

Prenatal bonding is individually influenced by emotional well-being and romantic attachment styles, with different effects in mothers and fathers.
Implications for practice

Potential negative emotional states and couple dynamics in the peripartum period should be addressed in prenatal care. Birth preparation classes might be an ideal context to generally inform parents about these topics. Distressed parents might benefit from interdisciplinary support focusing on perinatal mental health and parental-fetal bonding.