Evaluation of the effect of birth memory and postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder on mother-infant and father-infant attachment

The study was conducted as descriptive and cross-sectional to evaluation of the effects of birth memory and postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder on mother-infant and father-infant attachment. The study was conducted in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Cebeci Hospital (AUFMCH) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 21.01.2021-24.05.2021. The population of the study included 588 individuals consisting of 294 women who were followed up after vaginal or cesarean delivery, and their spouses. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form-Mother, Personal Information Form-Father, Birth Memories and Recall Scale (BMRS), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PTSDC-CV), Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS), Father-Infant Attachment Scale (FIAS). According to the data, According to the data of the study: PTSDC-CV total score average was 27.50 ± 14.51, DHHÖ total score average was 98.25 ± 28.39, MAS total score average was 93.68 ± 13.98, FIAS total score average was 64.24 ± 11.18. İt was determined that the mean total score of BMRS was in the young age group were higher than the older age group, in those who gave birth by normal delivery compared to those who gave birth by cesarean section, and in those who had birth anxiety than those who did not (p < 0.05). In our study, it was found that there was no significant relationship between education level, income status, social support status of the mother, desire for pregnancy and the mean scores of BMRS (p > 0.05). It was determined that the total score of FIAS average increased as the education level and income level increased. It was determined that the mean total score of MAS increased as the income level of the mothers increased (p < 0.05). In our study, a positive correlation was found between the PTSDC-CV and the total mean scores of BMRS, while a negative correlation was found between the total mean scores of the MAS and FIAS. These findings show that as the PTSDC-CV total mean scores increase, the BMRS total mean scores will increase, and as the PTSDC-CV total mean scores decrease, the level of mother and father attachment levels will increase. It was determined that there is a positive correlation between MAS and the sub-dimensions of FIAS that are patience and tolerance (r = 0.459; p = 0.000), joy in interaction (r = 0.415; p = 0.000), love and pride (r = 0.290; p = 0.000). This finding showed that as the mother-infant attachment level increased, the father-infant attachment level also increased. In line with the study results, it is recommended that midwives/nurses identify risky situations that may cause PTSD and negative birth memory during pregnancy and delivery, evaluate mothers in terms of PTSD in the post-partum period, and increase parental adaptation to the post-partum period with holistic multidisciplinary health services, making of the affirmation of birth memory and provide professional support when necessary. Keywords: Birth memory, father-infant attachment, mother-infant attachment, nursing, postpartum, posttraumatic stress disorder.