Seeing the Fetus Realized in VR... "Stronger Bond Between Mother and Fetus"

A study has found that fetal images using virtual reality (VR) can form a strong bond between the mother and fetus and prevent postpartum depression. This is because it helps provide a positive experience of pregnancy, and it is expected to assist healthy childbirth for mothers in situations where high-risk and advanced maternal age pregnancies are increasing.

Professors Jiyoon Park and Hyunji Kim from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Professor Woojae Myung from the Department of Psychiatry at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital (from left).

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The research team led by Professors Park Ji-yoon and Kim Hyun-ji from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor Myung Woo-jae from the Department of Psychiatry at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital announced on the 26th that they confirmed the effects of VR fetal images on maternal-fetal bonding and depression through a randomized clinical trial.

From June 2021, the research team randomly assigned 40 pregnant women at 20 weeks or more of pregnancy who visited Bundang Seoul National University Hospital for prenatal care to the VR test group and the control group, respectively. All participants were provided with information on prenatal care methods, including a recommended diet for six weeks, and were trained to use a mobile application (app) that allowed them to record personal health data such as weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. However, for the VR test group, fetal ultrasound images were combined with virtual reality technology to enable observation of the fetus's three-dimensional stereoscopic images anytime and anywhere through the app, with a feature to zoom in on fetal body parts.

As a result, although the demographic characteristics of the two groups were similar and most evaluation items showed similar results, the increase in attachment scores in the VR test group was 0.4 points, four times higher than the control group's 0.1 point, in surveys evaluating interaction with the fetus. The proportion of mothers whose fetal interaction scores increased was also significantly higher in the VR test group at 43%, compared to 13% in the control group. Additionally, the VR test group showed higher levels of imagination and perception regarding the fetus's appearance.

The appearance of a fetus generated in virtual reality based on ultrasound.
[Photo by Bundang Seoul National University Hospital]

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Maternal depression is considered a serious problem as it can lead to various harms such as avoidance of childcare and child abuse, and many studies have shown that a strong bond between mother and baby can prevent postpartum depression and anxiety. The significance of this study lies in confirming that advanced technology like VR can enhance attachment between mother and fetus.

Professor Park Ji-yoon said, "This study contributed to the formation of maternal-fetal bonding and mental health by allowing pregnant women to frequently observe realistically reproduced fetal images using advanced technology," adding, "Since Bundang Seoul National University Hospital was designated as a High-Risk Maternal and Neonatal Integrated Care Center in 2017, we have collaborated with the Department of Psychiatry to evaluate prenatal and postpartum depression in high-risk pregnant women with high anxiety about preterm birth, and it is meaningful that this multidisciplinary care has led to research outcomes."

This study was conducted through a national project led by the Small and Medium Business Technology Information Promotion Agency and was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

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