Prenatal Influences on the Development of the Child in the Womb

We recognise nowadays that actions of the mother impact the fetus in the womb. Certain things impact the physical development, including certain drugs or alcohol. Some drugs may cause physical deformities; others may impact the brain and nervous system. What is less frequently acknowledged, however, is the psychological impact of the mother’s experiences, thoughts and surroundings on the development of the unborn child. If the mother is exposed to circumstances that raise up fear, or anger, or other strong reactions, various chemical reactions take place, neurotransmitter chemicals are dumped into her bloodstream and hormones are released. It is a known fact that certain of these neurotransmitters and hormones pass across the placenta and enter the child’s developmental environment. Similarly, exposing the mother to influences of beauty, harmony, positive emotions also trigger release of neurotransmitters and hormones and thus, can also support the development of the child.

The growing child begins to respond to the voice of its mother, as well as ambient sounds at a certain stage in the pregnancy. The subtle influences of a positive environment can enhance the development, just as certain influences can harm the development of the budding child.

The Mother notes: “To bear a child and construct his body almost subconsciously is not enough. The work really commences when, by the power of thought and will, we conceive and create a character capable of manifesting an ideal.”

“And do not say that we have no power for realising such a thing. Innumerable instances of this very effective power could be brought out as proofs.”

“First of all, the effect of physical environment was recognised and studied long ago. It is by surrounding women with forms of art and beauty that, little by little, the ancient Greeks created the exceptionally harmonious race that they were.”

“Individual instances of the same fact are numerous. It is not rare to see a woman who, while pregnant, had looked at and constantly admired a beautiful picture or statue, giving birth to a child after the perfect likeness of this picture or statue. I met several of these instances myself. Among them, I remember very clearly two little girls; they were twins and perfectly beautiful. But the most astonishing was how little like their parents they were. They reminded me of a very famous picture painted by the English artist Reynolds. One day I made this remark to the mother, who immediately exclaimed: ‘Indeed, is it not so? You will be interested to know that while I was expecting these children, I had, hanging above my bed, a very good reproduction of Reynolds’ picture. Before going to sleep and as soon as I woke, my last and first glance was for that picture; and in my heart I hoped: may my children be like the faces in this picture. You see that I succeeded quite well!’ In truth, she could be proud of her success, and her example is of great utility for other women.”

“But if we can obtain such results on the physical plane where the materials are the least plastic, how much more so on the psychological plane where the influence of thought and will is so powerful. Why accept the obscure bonds of heredity and atavism — which are nothing else than subconscious preferences for our own trend of character — when we can, by concentration and will, call into being a type constructed according to the highest ideal we are able to conceive? With this effort, maternity becomes truly precious and sacred; indeed with this, we enter the glorious work of the Spirit, and womanhood rises above animality and its ordinary instincts, towards real humanity and its powers.”

Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, Powers Within, Chapter II Power of Thought, pp. 22-23