ABSTRACT
Objectives: To explore women’s emotional wellbeing and attachment to the fetus when informed during
pregnancy of a fetal malformation.
Methods: In a longitudinal community-based study, 56 pregnant women with a detected fetal malformation
and continued pregnancy were invited to complete questionnaires in mid-pregnancy, two months
postpartum and one year postpartum. The questionnaire included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression
Scale, the Cambridge Worry Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Maternal–Fetal Attachment
Scale. Socio-demographics and obstetric background data were also collected. Descriptive statistical
analyses were performed.
Results: Approximately 84% returned the questionnaires and 37% of women in mid-pregnancy, 26.5% two
months postpartum and 22% one year postpartum were found to have depressive symptoms. In midpregnancy
8.9% had thoughts of harming themselves, and almost all reported at least one major worry.
Worry about the relationship with their husband or partner increased two months postpartum and one
year postpartum. The means of both state and trait anxiety levels were high on all three measuring occasions
and the mean score for maternal–fetal attachment was 3.7 (SD 0.67), indicating a high level of
attachment.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of adequate support when fetal malformations are detected
on ultrasound examination.