The Effect of Haptonomy Intervention on Fear of Childbirth and Maternal-Fetal Attachment among Primigravid Women

Fear of childbirth (FOC) is considered as one of the factors influencing the increase of elective cesarean section. The appropriate solution to reduce the FOC has not yet been identified. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of haptonomy intervention on FOC and maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) among primigravid women‎. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 68 primigravid women with a gestational age of 24-28 weeks who referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran with a FOC score above 65. Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group (n=34) received haptonomy in 5 sessions, once a week for 45-60 minutes, and control group received an information pamphlet about pain management options in labor and fetal development during pregnancy. The data were collected using Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire-version A, Cranley’s MFA Scale, and Revised Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire, before the intervention and at gestational age of 35-37 weeks. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and ANCOVA. After intervention and controlling the effect of baseline score, the mean score of FOC in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group [Adjusted mean difference (AMD): -23.67, 95% CI: - 28.12 to -19.23, P =0.001]. Further, the mean score of MFA indicated a significant difference between the two groups [AMD: 10.12, 95% CI: 6.44 to 13.8, p <0.001]. The results of the present study revealed the effectiveness of the haptonomy intervention in reducing FOC and increasing MFA. Therefore, the use of haptonomy intervention is recommended among mothers with high and severe FOC and low MFA.