亲子关系并不仅仅始于出生之后，在怀孕期间孕妇就开始建立与胎儿的关系。母亲-胎儿关系是孕妇在怀孕期间对胎儿所产生的一种对胎儿的认知表征、投入的情感以及与胎儿的互动的关系，具有重要的理论与实践意义。目前用于测量母亲-胎儿关系水平的主要工具为母亲-胎儿依恋量表，母亲孕期依恋量表以及胚胎依恋量表。多种因素会对母亲-胎儿关系产生影响，主要包括孕妇年龄、文化等人口学因素，孕周、孕期检查等怀孕相关因素，以及人格特点、心理健康、社会支持等心理社会因素。未来研究要对研究方法进行整合、更多关注父亲-胎儿关系的发展特点，并尝试探索干预措施来提高这种亲子关系的质量。

maternal-fetal relationship refers to mother’s cognitive representation, emotion and interaction to unborn fetus. Substantial studies used the term maternal-fetal attachment, prenatal attachment to describe this relationship. However, there are some issues when using this term. According to attachment theory, the attachment behavioral system is shaped by cognition, affect, and experiences of interactions with the caregiver and infant could explore the world in safety and be consoled by their attachment figure. Meanwhile, it is also different from adult attachment because there is no reciprocal interaction between mother and unborn fetus. Moreover, mother cannot seek care from their unborn children. Therefore, the present study used a more appropriate term maternal-fetal relationship. There are three tools which were mostly used in measuring maternal-fetal relationship: Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, and Prenatal Attachment Inventory. The Maternal Fetal Attachment Scale was developed by Cranley (1981) to measure the extent to which pregnant women engage in behaviors that represent an affiliation and interaction with their unborn child. It includes 24 items and 5 factors: differentiation of self from the fetus, interaction with the fetus, attributing characteristics and intentions to the fetus, giving of self, and role-taking. The Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale was constructed by Condon (1993), which containing 19 items, all focusing upon feelings, behaviors and attitudes towards the fetus. It includes two dimensions: quality and intensity. The Prenatal Attachment Inventory, which was the preferable tool, was developed by M?ller (1993). It includes 21 items which measuring pregnancy adaptation and attachment literature and describe the affiliation with the fetus.