Measurement of Maternal Mindful Awareness of Fetal Movement

• Published in: Journal of midwifery & women's health 2019-09, Vol.64 (5), p.604-612
• Main Authors: Kantrowitz‐Gordon, Ira, Cunningham, Emma, Reynolds, Nicole
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Attachment; Clinical research; Demography; Exploratory factor analysis; fetal movement; Gestational age; maternal‐fetal attachment; Measurement; Mindfulness; Morbidity; Nursing; Polls & surveys; Pregnancy; Prenatal care; Principal components analysis; Psychological aspects; psychometrics; Regression analysis; Reliability
• ISSN: 1526-9523; 1542-2011
• DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12981

Introduction Decreased fetal movement is a common concern late in pregnancy that may be associated with increased fetal morbidity and mortality. Limited research suggests a relationship between maternal psychological factors and perception of fetal movement. The goal of this study was to test the reliability and external validity of a novel self‐report instrument for maternal mindful awareness of fetal movement. Methods Pregnant women who were at 20 weeks’ gestation or later and feeling regular fetal movement (N = 497) were recruited online through a commercial pregnancy website to complete an internet survey from April to May 2016. The online survey included demographic and pregnancy characteristics, psychological and mindfulness measures, and investigator‐developed items on mindful awareness of fetal movement. Reliability and validity of the instrument were tested with exploratory factor analysis, correlations with psychological variables, and hierarchical linear regression. Results Exploratory factor analysis of mindful awareness of fetal movement items using principal components analysis showed a 2‐factor structure, noticing and distracted, with internal consistency of α equal to .69 and .57, respectively. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that noticing was associated with increased gestational age, mindfulness (observing facet), and maternal‐fetal attachment. Distracted was associated with increased education level and prenatal anxiety and with decreased mindfulness (nonjudging facet). Discussion There was moderate internal consistency in the items measuring mindful awareness of fetal movement. Findings suggest relationships between mindful awareness of fetal movement and state mindfulness, maternal‐fetal attachment, and prenatal anxiety. More research is needed to further develop items for a mindful awareness of fetal movement scale suitable for research and clinical practice.