Prenatal Attachment and Fetal Health Locus of Control among Low Risk and High Risk Pregnant Women

The present study was carried out to assess prenatal attachment and fetal health locus of control among low risk and high risk Egyptian pregnant women. A descriptive correlational design was utilized for the study. A total of 100 pregnant women, both low (N=55) and high (N= 45) risk pregnant women were recruited for the study. Prenatal attachment inventory and fetal health locus of control scale (FHLC) were used for data collection Results indicated that participants experienced more positive feelings of attachment towards their fetuses, the mean prenatal attachment was 50.7 (SD± 9.9). Participants also reported high levels of fetal health locus of control, with the mean of 119.3 (SD ±15.0). Prenatal attachment was positively associated with fetal health locus of control, age and number of living children. Fetal health locus of control was positively associated with number of deliveries, number of abortions and marital status. Both prenatal attachment and fetal health locus of control differed by high/low risk pregnancy. In Conclusion, Egyptian pregnant women experienced more positive feeling of attachment toward their fetuses. Prenatal attachment differed by high/low risk pregnancy.