Abstract:
The purpose of this quasi-experimental research was to examine effects of prenatal bonding promoting program. The sample included 40 first-time pregnant women with 32 weeks of gestational age using simple random sampling, who had attended antenatal clinic, delivered baby, received postpartum care and follow up at Health Science Center, Burapha University. The sample of 40 primigravida were randomly assigned as experimental group and control group, 20 mothers each. The experimental group received the antepartal bonding promoting program, but the control group received only routine care of the Health Science Center. Research instruments were Prenatal bonding program, Maternal-Newborn Assessment and Maternal-Newborn Attachment questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using independent t-test to compare the total score of Maternal-Newborn Attachment and Bonding in 2 postpartum period between the 2 groups, and using paired t-test to compare the total score of Maternal-Newborn Attachment and Bonding between the 1 st postpartum period and 2nd postpartum period in each group. Results revealed that the total score of Maternal-Newborn Attachment and Bonding after 2 days and 6 weeks of the experimental group was statistically higher than the control group (p<.05). The total score of Maternal-Newborn Attachment and Bonding at the 2 nd postpartum period in the experimental group was statistically higher than those at the 1 st postpartum period (p<.05). The total score of Maternal-Newborn Attachment and Bonding at the 2 nd postpartum period in the control group was not statistically difference to those at the 1 st postpartum period. This finding can lead to effectively continuing using the prenatal bonding promoting program at the antenatal clinic of Health Science Center, Burapha University.