Enhancing Maternal-Fetal Connection: Fostering Prenatal Bonding in Primigravida Women Through Leopold Maneuvers

Maternal-fetal attachment is crucial in maternal well-being and fetal development. Various interventions have been explored to enhance this bond during pregnancy, with Leopold's maneuvers emerging as a potential hands-on technique to improve fetal awareness and prenatal attachment. However, limited research has examined the effectiveness of Leopold's maneuvers in strengthening maternal-fetal bonding, particularly among primigravida women.

This study aims to assess the impact of Leopold's maneuvers on maternal-fetal attachment and fetal position awareness among primigravida women in their third trimester.

A quasi-experimental pretest and posttest study was conducted in primary healthcare centers in Pune, Maharashtra, India. A sample of 162 primigravida women between 34-36 weeks of gestation was recruited and assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received training on Leopold's maneuvers, while the control group practiced Mindfetalness. Data were collected using the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale and Fetal Position Awareness Scale and analyzed using SPSS software.

The experimental group showed a significant increase in maternal-fetal attachment (P < .001) and fetal position awareness (P < .001) compared to the control group.

Leopold's maneuvers significantly improve maternal-fetal attachment and fetal awareness. Incorporating this intervention into routine prenatal care can enhance maternal engagement and bonding, benefiting both the mother and the child. Further studies should explore the long-term effects of Leopold's maneuvers and compare their efficacy with that of other prenatal bonding interventions.

maternal-fetal attachment, Leopold's maneuvers, mindfetalness, prenatal bonding.