Antenatal predictors of postnatal maternal attachment and competence after assisted conception-a prospective cohort study in South India.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of antenatal factors suchas anxiety, depression, perceived stress, marital satisfaction, maternal antenatal attachment, and social support on postnatal maternal attachment and competence in women whoreceived assisted reproductive treatment. A prospective longitudinal cohort design was adopted with two groups-50 women who received assisted reproductive treatment and 50 women who had natural conception. Both the groups were assessed using self-report measures over three time points: T1, 7th month of pregnancy; T2, 2weeks postpartum; and T3, 3months postpartum.Afinal sample of44 women who had assisted conception and 47 women who had natural conception completed assessments across all three time points. Descriptive, bivariate analyses, and stepwise multiple linear regression analyseswerecarried out.In the assisted conception group, maternal antenatal attachment, depression, and marital satisfaction significantly predicted postnatal maternal-infant attachment. Perceived social support, depression, and duration of marriage significantly predicted postnatal maternal competence. In the naturally conceived group, maternal antenatal attachment and social support significantly predicted postnatal maternal-infant attachment;perceived stresssignificantly predicted postnatal maternal competence. Antenatal depressive symptoms and relational factors significantly influenced postnatal maternal attachment and competence highlighting the need for screening and targeted psychological interventions during pregnancy.