Relationship of prior custody loss to maternal–fetal bonding in a subsequent pregnancy

Maternal–fetal bonding is the emotional investment a woman has for her fetus and is the foundation for nurturance and protection. Effects of prior custody loss on bonding during a subsequent pregnancy have received scant attention but may resemble other reproductive losses. This study compares the strength of the maternal–fetal bond among women grouped according to lifetime history of custody loss. Sixty-seven pregnant women with a history of giving birth were assigned to either a Loss (13.4%) or Non-Loss (86.6%) group. They were administered a demographic questionnaire and standardized measures of maternal–fetal bonding, substance use, perceived social support, depressive symptoms, and economic status. The Loss group endorsed more pregnancies, more abortions, living with fewer children, less social support, and illicit drug use during the third trimester. The Loss group endorsed a stronger maternal–fetal bond compared to women in Non-Loss group. Multivariate analyses were exploratory due to the small sample size but suggest that pregnant women who have experienced one custody loss may differ from those who have experienced multiple custody losses. Future research with a larger sample is needed to examine the direction of the relationship between prior custody loss and maternal bonding to a subsequent fetus.