The effect of stress and anxiety associated with maternal prenatal diagnosis on feto-maternal attachment

200 women were recruited at booking, 14 women and 20 partners after an invasive test and 81 women following an anomaly scan. A questionnaire was completed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Maternal or Paternal Antenatal Attachment Scales.Women who have had an invasive test have higher levels of anxiety compared to women at booking (P < 0.01) and after an anomaly scan (P = 0.002). Anxiety declines from booking to the time of an anomaly scan (P = 0.025), whilst attachment increases (P < 0.001). There is a positive correlation between anxiety and attachment in women who have had an invasive test (r = 0.479). Partners of women undergoing an invasive test experience lower levels of anxiety (P < 0.05).Women undergoing prenatal diagnostic procedures experience more psychological distress, which may be currently underestimated. Establishment of interdisciplinary treatment settings where access to psychological support is facilitated may be beneficial.Prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome is offered to all pregnant women in the United Kingdom as part of routine antenatal care. This initial screening process provides the mother-to-be and her partner with an estimation of the risk that their child may have an abnormality. The decision to undergo further more invasive diagnostic tests based on this probability then rests with the couple. The process of making this decision is associated with increased anxiety and stress for the pregnant woman and her partner.The levels of stress and anxiety may be influenced by the information given, the counselling and psychological support provided, the results of the prenatal tests, and the outcome of the pregnancy. Stress and anxiety may also affect maternal feelings of attachment towards the fetus, and it is plausible that appropriate care and support may positively influence feto-maternal attachment by minimising stress.Anxiety is defined as the psychological consequence of exposure to a real or imagi