Fetal movement linked to stronger maternal attachment

Fetal movement linked to stronger maternal attachment | Image Credit: © New Africa – © New Africa – stock.adobe.com.

Greater maternal attachment has been reported in fetal movements with higher frequencies, according to a recent study published in Early Human Development.¹

Based on the data, stronger emotional bonds occur between mothers and babies when a fetus is more active. Alongside highlighting the importance of fetal movements during pregnancy, this relationship indicates these signals may be used as a non-invasive, effective method of strengthening prenatal attachment.¹

“By using a fetal actocardiograph, we were able to capture movements not perceived by the mother, allowing for a more rigorous and unbiased examination of the link between fetal activity and prenatal attachment,” said Helena Rutherford, associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine’s Child Study Center.¹

Role of fetal movement in early interaction

Fetal movement has been highlighted as one of the earliest forms of fetal interaction. These movements indicate the health and development of a fetus, alongside helping mothers emotionally prepare for parenthood through maternal-fetal attachment (MFA).¹

The study was conducted to objectively assess fetal movement and determine a correlation with MFA.² Participants included adult women pregnant with a singleton fetus proficient in the English language. Those with severe mental illness were excluded from the analysis.

While research has indicated increased MFA scores among mothers with increased perceived fetal movement, this is the first study to evaluate this association using objective measures rather than subjective perception. This was accomplished through the use of an actocardiograph to record third-trimester fetal movements.¹

Findings on fetal movement and attachment

Additionally, the Prenatal Attachment Inventory-Revised (PAI-R) questionnaire was used to evaluate MFA. Fifty-one women participated in the analysis and provided objective measurements.¹

A mean of 32.63 fetal movement counts was noted in the study population across 30 minutes.² Average PAI-R anticipation, differentiation, and interaction scores were 19.41, 18.49, and 18.71, respectively, with significant increases in participants with greater fetal movement counts noted for all 3 subscales.

Overall, the data highlighted a significant association between objectively measured fetal movement and increased MFA. Investigators concluded this method may lead to benefits in postnatal caregiving, such as making it more attentive, sensitive, and emotionally attuned to the infant.¹

“Considering that MFA is associated with more engaged and stimulating mother-infant interactions after birth, understanding these prenatal associations offers valuable insights into how early psychological and relational processes shape development throughout the perinatal period,” said Rutherford.¹

Body self-perception and prenatal attachment

Prenatal attachment has also been linked to maternal benefits, such as increased positive body self-perception.³ This association was confirmed in a study with 183 healthy women at 20 weeks’ gestation or later.

The study measured prenatal attachment through the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), while self-perception was measured using the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire. A mean PAI score of 67.74 was noted among participants.³

Positive correlations with the mean PAI score were identified for the total body self-perception score (r = 0.226) and the Appearance Evaluation, Fitness Evaluation, Health Orientation, Fitness Orientation, and Body Areas Satisfaction subscales. The authors also noted supporting data from other studies, strengthening this evidence.³

“We recommend conducting education programs concentrating on adaptation to pregnancy that enable women to evaluate their bodies more positively during pregnancy, to adopt behaviors to improve their health in pregnancy, and to increase prenatal attachment,” wrote investigators.

References

1. Do fetal movements influence the level of attachment between mother and baby? Bial Foundation. September 17, 2025. Accessed September 22, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098640.
2. Ayla K, Falcioni L, Elibott J, Lamore J, Voegtline K, Rutherford HJV. Associations between fetal movement and maternal-fetal attachment in late pregnancy. Early Human Development. 2025;210. doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106351
3. Kronemyer B. Prenatal attachment levels enhanced with positive body self-perception. Contemporary OB/GYN. April 19, 2022. Accessed September 22, 2025.