The influence of mindfetalness on fetal movement awareness and maternal-fetal attachment

Abstract

Abstract Background: Fetal movement (quickening) is a key indicator of fetal health. The impact of fetal movement being reduced or absent can be associated with an increase in high-risk pregnancies such as premature birth, low birth weight (LBW), and stillbirth. Feeling fetal movement during pregnancy can help the mother have a strong bond with the fetus, and fetal movement can positively affect maternal-fetal attachment. One way to increase awareness of fetal movement and maternal-fetal attachment is with the mindfetalness method. Purpose: To determine the effect of mindfetalness on fetal motion awareness and maternal-fetal attachment. Method: Quantitative research with a pre-experimental one group pretest and post-test approach, conducted in November 2022 - June 2023 at the Kaliabang Tengah Health Center Regional Technical Implementation Unit. The sampling technique used purposive sampling and the Slovin formula, the number of samples used was 45 participants. The independent variable in this study was mindfetalness, while the dependent variables were fetal movement and maternal fetal attachment. Univariate and bivariate data analysis of statistical tests used the paired t-test. Results: Before intervention (pre-test) fetal movement was categorized as high, namely 37 (82.2%), becoming 45 (100%) in the post-test. Before intervention (pre-test) maternal-fetal attachment was categorized as low, namely 5 (11.1%), becoming 2 (4.44%) in the post-test, while before intervention (pre-test) maternal-fetal attachment was categorized as high, namely 40 (88.9%) becoming 43 (95.6%) in the post-test. The p-value of mindfetalness on fetal movement awareness was 0.004, while mindfetalness had no effect on maternal-fetal attachment (p-value = 0.183). Conclusion: There is an effect of mindfetalness on fetal motion awareness and no effect of mindfetalness on maternal-fetal attachment. Keywords: Fetal movement; Mindfetalnes; Maternal Fetal Attachment; Pregnancy.