Maternal emotional wellbeing over time and attachment to the fetus when a malformation is detected.
OBJECTIVES
To explore women's emotional wellbeing and attachment to the fetus when informed during pregnancy of a fetal malformation.


METHODS
In a longitudinal community-based study, 56 pregnant women with a detected fetal malformation and continued pregnancy were invited to complete questionnaires in mid-pregnancy, two months postpartum and one year postpartum. The questionnaire included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Cambridge Worry Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale. Socio-demographics and obstetric background data were also collected. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.


RESULTS
Approximately 84% returned the questionnaires and 37% of women in mid-pregnancy, 26.5% two months postpartum and 22% one year postpartum were found to have depressive symptoms. In mid-pregnancy 8.9% had thoughts of harming themselves, and almost all reported at least one major worry. Worry about the relationship with their husband or partner increased two months postpartum and one year postpartum. The means of both state and trait anxiety levels were high on all three measuring occasions and the mean score for maternal-fetal attachment was 3.7 (SD 0.67), indicating a high level of attachment.


CONCLUSION
The results highlight the importance of adequate support when fetal malformations are detected on ultrasound examination.
['Asplin|Nina|N|', 'Wessel|Hans|H|', 'Marions|Lena|L|', 'Georgsson Öhman|Susanne|S|']
D000328:Adult D001007:Anxiety D000013:Congenital Abnormalities D003863:Depression D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007398:Interpersonal Relations D008137:Longitudinal Studies D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations D008603:Mental Health D008875:Middle Aged D009035:Mothers D009769:Object Attachment D049590:Postpartum Period D011247:Pregnancy D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior D055815:Young Adult
Emotional wellbeing Fetal malformation Postnatal depression Maternal–fetal attachment Ultrasound screening