[Long-term effects of prepartal mother-child-attachment]

There is much controversial discussion about possible associations of delivery and the perinatal period and later developmental parameters, but recent studies practically not include any possible influence of mother-child attachment during pregnancy and in the postnatal period. This long-time observation should indicate possible associations of this kind. The results show, that avoidant attachment during pregnancy may have some negative influence on later attachment. Furthermore, prenatal ambivalent attachment may lead to also ambivalent attachment in the postnatal period. Prenatally secure attachment may help to beware later avoidant attachment and vice versa. As our results indicate, intrauterine fetal movements do not predict later attachment.