Trajectories of maternal bonding over the perinatal period: Associations with demographic, obstetric, psychological, and infant variables

Biopsychosocial perspectives suggest that maternal bonding is shaped by various factors. Moreover, bonding may vary among different groups of women. This study aimed to identify trajectories of maternal bonding from late pregnancy to 12 months postpartum and explored whether these were associated with demographic, obstetric, psychological, and infant variables. Questionnaires were completed by 1216 Dutch women (M_age= 31.50) and obstetric data were collected. To estimate longitudinal trajectories, latent class growth analysis was performed. As anticipated, three distinct bonding trajectories emerged, characterized by consistently high, intermediate, or low bonding. Bonding increased between late pregnancy and 8 weeks postpartum, but not in the low bonding class. Women with a lower education, an intended pregnancy, a spontaneous vaginal birth, more partner support, fewer depressive symptoms, more infant surgency, and less infant crying were more likely to belong to the high bonding class. Belonging to the low bonding class was associated with higher education, less partner support, more depressive symptoms, less infant surgency, and more infant crying. Women who experience prepartum bonding difficulties are at risk for impaired bonding after childbirth and they may benefit less from typical postpartum bonding factors. Associated factors may provide valuable opportunities for screening and timely intervention.