The effect on pregnant women's prenatal attachment of a nursing practice using the first and second Leopold's...

This study aimed to determine the effect on pregnant women's prenatal attachment of a nursing practice using the first and second Leopold's maneuvers.

This experimental, randomized and controlled study was conducted in a pregnancy class of a training and research hospital in Kocaeli, Turkey from September 2016 to September 2017. Its sample included 100 pregnant women, 50 in the experimental group and 50 in the control group (https://www.random.org, accessed: 09.20.2016). Data were collected using a personal information form, the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) and the Fetal Position Awareness Scale (FPAS). The study offered education that included fetal development, the first and second Leopold's maneuvers, and Leopold's maneuvers were administered in the 28th week of the women's pregnancy and re-administered in the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy. No intervention was administered to the control group in these weeks, but the scales were administered.

The sociodemographic, obstetric, social support and baby-related characteristics of the groups were similar (p > .05). There were no statically significant differences between their mean PAI and FPAS scores in the 28th week of pregnancy (p > .05). The experimental group's mean PAI and the FPAS scores in the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < .01).

The study concluded that Leopold's maneuvers affected the pregnant women's prenatal attachment levels.