Abstract

Importance: In this review of recent research on the effects of interventions on maternal–fetal attachment. There are limited data from several countries to demonstrate the impact of medical technology and intervention programs on maternal-fetal attachment.
Objective: To examine studies on the effects of using medical technology and applying related interventions on maternal–fetal attachment, to identify gaps in this research, and to suggest future areas of research in this field.
Methods: The PubMed, Medline, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature electronic databases were searched using the following keywords: maternal–fetal attachment, prenatal, paternal, yoga, mindfulness, medical technology, and intervention. Because of the limited number of studies, the publication year and type of study was not restricted.
Results: Ten studies were selected for review. Ten studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified and used for further examination. The studies were conducted in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Iran, and South Korea.
Conclusion: Despite preliminary studies indicating that medical technology and related interventions enhance the level of maternal–fetal attachment, the small sample sizes and nonrandomized controlled research designs limit the generalizability of the results. Future research is recommended to measure the correlation between prenatal and postnatal attachment in participants who receive abnormal fetus or unexpected gender results in ultrasound screening and reproductive technology. Additionally, future studies should focus on the benefits of postnatal attachment in trained fathers by using a longitudinal research design.