The Relationship Between Pregnancy Stress and Maternal Attachment, Postpartum Depression, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: A Descriptive and Prospective study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between pregnancy stress and maternal attachment, postpartum depression risk, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Methods: This study was designed as a descriptive and prospective study. A total of 237 pregnant women were included. The Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) was administered at hospital admission for delivery. The Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS), Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) were used in the 1st and 3rd months postpartum. Results: The mean PSRS score was 75.76±28.25, indicating moderate stress. Mean maternal attachment scores were 100.26±7.00 (1st month) and 102.55±5.12 (3rd month), while EPDS scores were 17.05±3.51 and 19.17±2.59, suggesting high depression risk. Breastfeeding self-efficacy decreased from 59.16±14.63 to 52.44±17.69. A positive correlation was found between PSRS and maternal attachment (r =.32, p