Anxiety, Prenatal Attachment and Nurses’ Role in Risky Pregnancies

Abstract

High-risk pregnancy increases the morbidity and mortality of the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women under high risks suffer anxiety and stress related to many reasons such as health problems concerning her and the baby, uncertainty, hospitalization and leaving the family. As the pregnancy will be at risk in a high-risk condition, the mother may be anxious in contacting the fetus and the connection can be effected negatively. In pregnancy, high anxiety and weak prenatal attachment, affects the pregnant and fetus’ health negatively. It has been reported that some practices such as social support, listening or singing music/lullaby, yoga and meditation both reduce anxiety and increase prenatal attachment during pregnancy. In the prenatal period, the nurse has many roles such as educator, role model, consultant and resource person in order to cope with the risky conditions of the pregnant woman, to connect with the fetus in a healthy way and to protect her mental health. Nurses have to determine and follow the anxiety and attachment levels of the pregnant, to benefit from evidence based practices to reduce anxiety and increase prenatal attachment by considering the possible harms of anxiety and insufficient maternal attachment on the pregnant and the fetus.

Keywords

• maternal bonding
• stress
• prenatal care
• maternal-fetal relations