MATERNAL ATTACHMENT TO THE FETUS: DEFINITIONS, FACTORS, AND CONSEQUENCES: A REVIEW ARTICLE

"Maternal attachment to the fetus" is a new concept in psychology that can have a great impact on the mental and physical life of the child and even the mother. Maternal attachment to the fetus is an emotional bond between mother and child. The importance of this concept has led to numerous studies examining its consequences and factors in order to provide a plan for improving it in families.
Materials & Methods: In this study, 58 articles with the keywords "fetal attachment", "maternal-fetal attachment", and "fetal attachment" were searched systematically in databases of scientific journals of Academic Jihad, Maregan and Nourmegs from 2012 to 2020 and after removing duplicate and overlapping articles, the meta-analysis was performed.
Results: The findings indicated the influence of individual, social, and relational factors in the development of "maternal attachment to the fetus". Studies in the literature also showed that this concept can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the mother and child.
Conclusion: According to the studies, it seems that emphasizing the social, economic, and cultural status of mothers can provide the basis for creating and improving the quality and quantity of "fetal attachment" and consequently, it largely guarantees the future of the child and the mother.