Examining associations of temporal changes in maternal emotions and their biomarkers with the development of maternal-fetal bonding across pregnancy.

BACKGROUND

Maternal-fetal bonding has been linked with depressive symptoms and stress, but most previous studies are cross-sectional, and studies utilizing biomarkers of depression or stress are lacking. This study investigated associations between intra-individual temporal changes in emotions and relevant biomarkers and the trajectories of bonding across pregnancy.

METHODS

Participants (n = 298) completed the Perceived Stress Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule at six time points, and Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale at five time points during pregnancy. They provided blood samples in the first and third trimesters for assessment of cortisol and allopregnanolone levels. A Bayesian hierarchical model with random intercepts and random slopes was used to assess associations between temporal changes in emotions/biomarkers and bonding during pregnancy.

RESULTS

The development of maternal-fetal bonding was affected by the temporal changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and positive and negative affect, but not by changes in cortisol and allopregnanolone levels. Temporal changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, but not in cortisol or allopregnanolone levels, were predicted by the development of maternal-fetal bonding.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving pregnant women's emotional well-being may promote the development of maternal-fetal bonding, but at the same time, strengthening maternal-fetal bonding may positively affect pregnant women's emotional well-being.