The effect of fetal movement counting on maternal attachment to fetus

The effect of fetal movement counting on maternal attachment to fetus was investigated in 213 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at 28 to 32 weeks' gestation. Women were randomized into those who counted fetal movements using the Sadovsky (n = 63) or Cardiff (n = 62) charts and controls (n = 88). After 1 month of fetal movement counting, the Cranley 24-item scale with five subscales was used as a measure of maternal-fetal attachment. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in total attachment scores and in each of the five attachment subscales among women who counted fetal movements (p < 0.0001). Tukey's studentized range test confirmed significant differences between each of the Sadovsky and Cardiff groups compared with controls (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that fetal movement counting may enhance the maternal-fetal attachment process.