title: Risk and protective factors in maternal-fetal attachment development.
abstract: Prenatal attachment can be described as the parents' emotions, perceptions and behaviors that are related to the fetus. This relationship has been described as the most basic form of the human intimacy and represents the earlier internalized representation of the fetus that both parents typically acquire and elaborate during pregnancy. The quality of the relationship between an infant and his or her parent is an important factor influencing the child's later development, both cognitive and emotional. There is evidence - even though yet unclear - that demographic, perinatal and psychological variables may correlate with attachment. In this perspective, it is essential to recognize the factors influencing attachment of parents towards their fetus and to planning psychosocial interventions in antepartum units or in obstetric clinics, in order to preserve a positive physical and emotional development of the infant and to provide family-centered prenatal care. Particular attention should be paid to women hospitalized for a high-risk pregnancy, since this condition involves a high distress that often results in feelings of anxiety and depression, that can hinder an adequate mother-fetus attachment.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: pisoni.camilla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pisoni
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garofoli
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chryssoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tzialla
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orcesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Arsenio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinillo
authors.affiliation: Consultation-Liaison Psychological Medicine Program, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Politi
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy; Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Balottin
authors.affiliation: Neonatology and NICU. S. Anna Hospital, Torino>, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manzoni
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stronati
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Attachment; Bonding; Motherhood; Risk pregnancy