Maternal serum screening and psychosocial attachment to pregnancy

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine whether maternal serum screening (MSS) is associated with lower maternal attachment to pregnancy.MethodsOne hundred one pregnant women identified as at risk for fetal anomaly due to advanced maternal age completed a survey targeting their decisions regarding prenatal testing and their psychological attachment to their pregnancy. Of these women, 38 opted for no prenatal testing, 32 underwent MSS, and 31 had amniocentesis in their current pregnancy.ResultsThe results indicate that, throughout their pregnancy, the women who underwent MSS reported lower bonding levels as compared with those who chose either amniocentesis or no testing procedures.ConclusionThe results suggest that MSS may disrupt the developmental trajectory of the maternal–fetal bond even after favorable results are known. This may be due in part to the fact that the probabilistic nature of MSS results creates feelings of confusion rather than reassurance for many women following receipt of favorable results.