Development of maternal-fetal attachment during pregnancy.

The Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) was administered monthly to gravidas (N = 69) from the onset of prenatal care until delivery. Individual total and subscale scores across gestation were relatively stable, with the weakest correlations occurring between 16-week gestation scores and subsequent measures. Total MFAS and subscales scores, except Giving of Self, increased significantly as gestation progressed. There were also significant time x subject interaction effects for total MFAS and all subscale scores. MFAS scores were unrelated to most maternal demographic variables, but parity was negatively related to the MFAS score increase across gestation. MFAS subscale scores were related to differences in mothers' postpartum reports of their infants' centrality in their lives and to differences in maternal self-evaluated role attainment.