Effect of birth type on parenting behavior, infant perception and maternal attachment

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of birth type on parenting behaviors, infant perception and maternal attachment. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and comparative study was conducted with 77 primipara mothers (vaginal birth: 48, cesarean section: 29). The data were collected in three follow-ups using the Individual Presentation Form, Postpartum Parenting Behavior Scale (PPBS), Neonatal Perception Scale (NPS) and Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS). The first follow-up was performed by observation in the birth room/operating room, and the second follow-up was carried out by face to face interview in the obstetrics clinic 24 hours after the birth and the third follow-up was conducted as reaching by telephone one month after the birth. Results: In the study, no statistically meaningful difference was found between the mean scores of PPBS, MAS and infant perception regarding the birth type. No correlation was found between the PPBS and MAS mean scores in both groups, and no difference between the mean scores of PPBS and MAS was found regarding their infant perception. Conclusion: As the cesarean delivery rates increases, nursing care given to women that give cesarean section increases. Some mothers may be anxious and upset about maternal attachment, parenting, and newborn because of cesarean delivery. Therefore, nurses should support these mothers by expressing that there is no difference between parental behavior, maternal attachment levels and newborn perception according to the type of delivery in addition to standard care.

Keywords

• bağlanma
• ebeveynlik davranışı
• hemşirelik
• yenidoğanı algılama
• attachment
• parenting behavior
• nursing
• newborn perception