Influences of Mother on Fetus

A woman and her baby are intimately connected.

The time a baby spends in the womb is a formative part of a human being's existence. Research indicates many correlations between a mother and the influences she has on the fetus. The research connections demonstrate the power a mother has on creating a healthy fetus while broadening awareness of the many areas we as a culture can support women of childbearing age and pregnant moms.

Environment

The mother is the environment for the fetus. Environmental toxins, drugs, alcohol, nicotine, diseases and other substances ingested or absorbed by the mother's body pass to the fetus through the placenta. Special attention given to eliminating habits that could harm the baby, such as smoking and drinking, ensures the mother and baby have a pregnancy free of environmental dangers.

Nutrition

Nutrition of the mother influences the preferences and potential body weight factors of the fetus.

The nutrition of a mother influences her baby's preferences, tendency towards obesity and the overall health of the pregnancy. According to researcher Julie Mennella, human infants learn the safety, availability and desirability of foods while they are in the womb. The USDA Agricultural Research Service has found that infants whose mothers are overweight during pregnancy are more likely to be overweight and inclined to gain weight by eating high fat foods than infants born to lean mothers. A diet based in whole foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, lean protein and plenty of clean water is a healthy base for mothers to grow from during pregnancy.

Stress

Pregnancy can be a fearful or anxious time for a mother, leading to stress that she may not have felt before becoming pregnant. Stress hormones created in the body of the mother pass through to the fetus, possibly leading to an increased chance of stress, ADHD and hyperactivity in the child. Mothers who participate in stress reduction and relaxation, yoga or other relaxing exercise and receive support from family and friends offer themselves and their babies a calm environment in which to grow during pregnancy.

Molecular

Working through stress to focus on joy influences the fetus positively.

The baby is as much a part of the mother's body as her heart. What she experiences on a molecular level of emotions and hormones, the baby also experiences. The mother can use this mode of inherent communication with the fetus to learn about herself and intentionally work through stressful experiences to influence her baby in the way she desires.

Sensory

Singing or playing soft music with the baby enhances mother-baby communication.

Babies are influenced by sound and other senses while in the womb and indicate this by kicking or moving in response to music, talking or singing. According to Thomas R. Verny, MD, and Pamela Weintraub, mothers can become attuned to this sensory communication while the fetus is in the womb, which enhances a mother's ability to communicate with her infant and distinguish between cries with a newborn.

Intuitive

Mothers and babies are intimately connected. According to Thomas R. Verny, MD, and Pamela Weintraub,the intuitive channel between mother and baby communicates the mother's emotions, thoughts and intentions. Opening to this form of communication allows the mother to dialogue with her unborn baby through thoughts, feelings and dreams.

Support

Support of the mother with love and understanding allows for a nurtured pregnancy and fetus.

Mothers benefit greatly from the support of family, friends, community and society to have a healthy, relaxed pregnancy regardless of circumstances. Many fears women experience can be resolved and put to rest through the loving support of a caring person with the intention to influence the mother and the fetus positively.

References

• Prenatal Environmental Influences
• Womb: The First School
• The Influence of a Mother's Diet on the Fetus
• Stress in Mothers Affects Unborn Babies
• Prenatal and Postnatal Flavor Learning by Human Infants

Resources

• Baby's Weight: Is Epigenetics to Blame?