Assessment of Maternal-Fetal Bonding using Heart Rate Variability at Three Longitudinal Time Points During Pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Psychology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Biomedical Signal Processing

Background:

• The maternal-fetal bond is crucial for maternal caregiving, typically assessed from the mother's perspective.
• Assessing the fetal bond to the mother can enhance the psychosocial aspects of pregnancy.
• Objective measurement of the maternal-fetal bond is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the maternal-fetal bond by analyzing correlations in heart rate variability (HRV) between mother and fetus.
• To investigate the relationship between maternal-fetal HRV synchrony and maternal bonding scores.
• To explore longitudinal changes in this bond throughout pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous non-invasive maternal and fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings were obtained from 70 pregnant women.
• Data were collected at three time points: 24-26, 30-32, and 36-37 weeks of gestation.
• The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) quantified maternal bonding, and HRV was analyzed from successful ECG extractions.

Main Results:

• Successful fetal ECG (fECG) extraction rates varied across the three time points.
• Participants were grouped into high and low PAI based on scores where fECG was available.
• Significant positive correlations between maternal and fetal HRV were found at 36-37 weeks in the high PAI group.

Conclusions:

• Maternal-fetal HRV synchrony may serve as an objective marker for the maternal-fetal bond.
• The strength of this physiological synchrony appears to increase with a stronger maternal bond, particularly in late pregnancy.
• This non-invasive method offers potential for enhanced psychosocial assessment during pregnancy.