Effect of Fetal Movement Count Training (FMCT) on Prenatal Bonding and Maternal Anxiety among Primigravida Women

Abstract

Background: Fetal movements can have positive effects on maternal-fetalattachment before
birth, because the fetusis more tangible with the mother after movement. Daily fetal movement
counting is a simple and non-invasive method that can be carried out by the mother in order to improve the
maternal fetal attachment and toreduce the maternal anxiety for the better pregnancy outcome.
Objectives: The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of fetal movement count training on
prenatal bonding and maternal anxiety among primigravida.
Methods: Quantitative approach with true experimental research design was adopted. Total 173 pregnant
women were selected for the study using purposive sampling technique. Subjects were randomly assigned
in to the experimental (n=87) and control group (n=86). Fetal movement count training was given to
experimental group. The training includes both instructions and demonstration on fetal movement count.
Booklet contain the steps of fetal movement count and 28 days counting chart was provided to the pregnant
women to make the them adhere to the count.The tools used to collect the data were as follows: (1)
Demographic questionnaire, (2) Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale and (3) Self structured Anxiety Scale.
Baseline assessment was done on the 1stday and the training was implemented on the same day. Mothers
were followed through phone calls. Post-assessment was done after 28days. The data wereanalysed using
descriptive and inferential statistics.
Result: The mean post-test prenatal bonding score in experimental group is 81.90±5.969 and in control
group is 77.57±7.459 which shows the significant difference in prenatal bonding score between both the
groups (t = 4.215 p = 0.00002). The mean post-test maternal anxiety score is prenatal bonding score in
experimental group is 34.69±6.719 and in control group is 35.17±6.809 which is not showing any significant
difference between both the groups (t = 0.471 p = 0.3191). There was a moderately negative correlation
found between pre-test prenatal bonding and maternal anxiety score as evidenced by r= -0.277 at p=0.0002
which was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Thus, the training regarding fetal movement count was effective in improving prenatal bonding
and reducing maternal anxiety among primigravida.