Fetal Movement Counting-Effects on Maternal-Fetal Attachment: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

BirthVolume 38, Issue 4 p. 282-293 Fetal Movement Counting—Effects on Maternal-Fetal Attachment: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Correction(s) for this article Erratum Volume 39Issue 1Birth pages: 89-89 First Published online: February 28, 2012 Eli Saastad CNM, MSc, Eli Saastad CNM, MSc Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorPravin Israel Dr Psychol, PhD, Pravin Israel Dr Psychol, PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorTone Ahlborg CNM, PhD, Tone Ahlborg CNM, PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorNina Gunnes PhD, Nina Gunnes PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorJ. Frederik Frøen MD, PhD, J. Frederik Frøen MD, PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this author Eli Saastad CNM, MSc, Eli Saastad CNM, MSc Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorPravin Israel Dr Psychol, PhD, Pravin Israel Dr Psychol, PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorTone Ahlborg CNM, PhD, Tone Ahlborg CNM, PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorNina Gunnes PhD, Nina Gunnes PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this authorJ. Frederik Frøen MD, PhD, J. Frederik Frøen MD, PhD Eli Saastad is a University Lecturer at Akershus University College, Lillestrøm, and Advisor at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Pravin Israel is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Researcher at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Tone Ahlborg is at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; and Nina Gunnes is Statistician and J. Frederik Frøen is the Director at the Department of Genes and Environment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.Search for more papers by this author First published: 06 September 2011 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2011.00489.xCitations: 31 Address correspondence to Eli Saastad, CNM, MSc, Akershus University College, PB 423, N-2001 Lillestrøm, Norway. This work has been supported by grants from the Norwegian SIDS and Stillbirth Society, Oslo, Norway. The funding source had no involvement in the authors' work. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Abstract: Background: Women presenting with decreased fetal movement have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Fetal movement counting may be associated with improvement in maternal-fetal attachment, which in turn, improves pregnancy outcome and postnatal mother–infant attachment. The study aim was to test whether maternal-fetal attachment differed between groups of mothers who systematically performed fetal movement counting and mothers who followed standard antenatal care where routine fetal movement counting was discouraged. Methods: In a multicenter, randomized trial, 1,123 women were assigned to either systematic fetal movement counting from pregnancy week 28 or to standard antenatal care. This study sample included primarily white, cohabiting, nonsmoking, and relatively well-educated women. The outcome measure was maternal-fetal attachment, measured by using the Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: No difference was found between the groups in the scores on prenatal attachment; the means and standard deviations were 59.54 (9.39) and 59.43 (9.35) for the intervention and the control groups, respectively (p = 0.747). The mean difference between the groups was 0.20 (95% CI: 1.02–1.42). Conclusions: Fetal movement counting in the third trimester does not stimulate antenatal maternal-fetal attachment. This result differs from a previous study where fetal movement counting improved maternal-fetal attachment. Further research with a focus on possible mediating factors such as levels of stress, concern, and other psychological factors is required. (BIRTH 38:4 December 2011) Citing Literature Supporting Information Data Supplement S1. The fetal movement chart. Filename Description BIRT_489_sm_appendix.pdf144.2 KB Supporting info item Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Volume38, Issue4December 2011Pages 282-293 RelatedInformation