Effect of Visual Information by Ultrasound on Maternal-Fetal Attachment

Providing visual information about the fetus to the mother by the ultrasound examination was found to be an effective nursing intervention to promote Maternal-Fetal Attachment. In keeping with the purpose of the study, to evaluate the effect of providing visual information by ultrasound on level of Maternal-Fetal Attachment, a non-equivalent experimental group quasi-experimental design was used. The data were collected using Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale(1981) with a research questionnaire that consisted of 16 items on general characteristics and 23 items on Maternal-Fetal Attachment from November 2, 2000 to August 11, 2001. Subjects were 126 pregnant women who were received visual information by ultrasound and 123 pregnant women who did not receive visual information by ultrasound after finishing examination. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS/PC+ window 10.0 version program. The results of this study were as follows: There was no statistical difference in general characteristics between both groups. The scores on Maternal-Fetal Attachment at second trimester show no statistical difference (t=1.123, p=0.263). The scores on Maternal-Fetal Attachment in both groups increased between the second trimester and third trimester. However, the increase was greater in the group receiving visual information by ultrasound as compared to the group which did not receive the visual information(t=-2.152, p=0.032). This result shows that providing visual information about the fetus by the ultrasound examination is effective in increasing Maternal-Fetal Attachment.ope