Bonding from Womb: A Mixed Method Study of Pregnant Women’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Experiences on Fetal Movement

Restuning Widiasih; Khoirunnisa Khoirunnisa; Lilis Mamuroh; Windy Natasya Al Baihaqi; Tosin Popoola

doi:10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.68244

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.68244

Bonding from Womb: A Mixed Method Study of Pregnant Women’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Experiences on Fetal Movement

*Restuning Widiasih

- Department of Maternity Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Khoirunnisa Khoirunnisa

- Departement of Paediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Lilis Mamuroh - Department of Maternity Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Windy Natasya Al Baihaqi - Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Indonesia, Indonesia

Tosin Popoola

- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Australia

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

BibTex Citation Data :

@article{NMJN68244,
    author = {Restuning Widiasih and Khoirunnisa Khoirunnisa and Lilis Mamuroh and Windy Natasya Al Baihaqi and Tosin Popoola},
    title = {Bonding from Womb: A Mixed Method Study of Pregnant Women’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Experiences on Fetal Movement},
    journal = {Nurse Media Journal of Nursing},
  volume = {16},
    number = {1},
    year = {2026},
    keywords = {Fetal well-being; maternal-fetal attachment; mixed-methods research; pregnancy},
    abstract = {  Background:  Fetal movement is an indicator of fetal life and well-being and contributes to maternal–fetal bonding through the perception and interpretation of fetal movements. However, studies exploring the experiences and knowledge of mothers and families in self-monitoring fetal well-being remain limited.   Purpose:  This study aimed to comprehensively examine knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, self-efficacy, and experiences related to fetal movement monitoring among pregnant women.   Methods:  A mixed-methods study with a concurrent triangulation design was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously through a survey of 216 respondents from two districts and interviews with 18 participants drawn from the survey pool. Comparative analysis was used to assess differences in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-efficacy between the two districts using the Mann–Whitney test for survey data, while thematic analysis was applied to the interview data.   Results:  Overall, the majority of pregnant women demonstrated low knowledge (64.4%), negative self-monitoring behaviors (52.7%), and low self-efficacy (56.0%), while attitudes toward fetal movement self-observation were slightly more favorable (53.7%). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to fetal movement self-observation (p < .05), whereas self-efficacy was not statistically significant (p > .05). Thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) Bonding since in the womb; (2) Emotional responses; (3) Actions when sensing abnormalities; and (4) Culture and beliefs.   Conclusion:  The findings suggest that mothers and fetuses form a strong emotional bond from the womb, as reflected in maternal experiences and behaviors. There is a need for nursing interventions in fetal monitoring, particularly to improve pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-efficacy. Furthermore, this study strengthens the evidence base for maternity nursing practice, enabling nurses and midwives to design targeted educational and monitoring interventions that promote pregnant women’s autonomy in observing fetal health and responding appropriately to early warning signs.    },
   issn = {2406-8799},  doi = {10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.68244},
    url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/medianers/article/view/68244}
}

Citation Format:

Abstract

Background: Fetal movement is an indicator of fetal life and well-being and contributes to maternal–fetal bonding through the perception and interpretation of fetal movements. However, studies exploring the experiences and knowledge of mothers and families in self-monitoring fetal well-being remain limited.

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively examine knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, self-efficacy, and experiences related to fetal movement monitoring among pregnant women.

Methods: A mixed-methods study with a concurrent triangulation design was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously through a survey of 216 respondents from two districts and interviews with 18 participants drawn from the survey pool. Comparative analysis was used to assess differences in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-efficacy between the two districts using the Mann–Whitney test for survey data, while thematic analysis was applied to the interview data.

Results: Overall, the majority of pregnant women demonstrated low knowledge (64.4%), negative self-monitoring behaviors (52.7%), and low self-efficacy (56.0%), while attitudes toward fetal movement self-observation were slightly more favorable (53.7%). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to fetal movement self-observation (p < .05), whereas self-efficacy was not statistically significant (p > .05). Thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) Bonding since in the womb; (2) Emotional responses; (3) Actions when sensing abnormalities; and (4) Culture and beliefs.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that mothers and fetuses form a strong emotional bond from the womb, as reflected in maternal experiences and behaviors. There is a need for nursing interventions in fetal monitoring, particularly to improve pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-efficacy. Furthermore, this study strengthens the evidence base for maternity nursing practice, enabling nurses and midwives to design targeted educational and monitoring interventions that promote pregnant women’s autonomy in observing fetal health and responding appropriately to early warning signs.

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Keywords: Fetal well-being; maternal-fetal attachment; mixed-methods research; pregnancy

Funding: Universitas Padjadjaran

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Section: Articles

Language : EN

In Vol 16, No 1 (2026): (April 2026) [In Progress]

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Bonding from Womb: A Mixed Method Study of Pregnant Women’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Experiences on Fetal Movement

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