Perinatal Depression, Fetal Bonding, and Mother-Child Attachment: A Review of the Literature

Maternal depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period has been associated with a variety of consequences in the fetus and newborn. In particular, depression has been shown to compromise maternal bonding to her fetus antenatally, and mother-infant interaction and attachment patterns during the postpartum period. In turn, these alterations in the relationship between a mother and her infant can impact the child's social, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive development. The present paper discusses attachment theory, and then reviews literature on the impact of both antenatal and postnatal depression on the relationship between a mother and her child. Developmental consequences for the child are discussed, as are possible treatment options.