Have you ever wondered what your baby feels when you feel joy, stress, or even a moment of calm during pregnancy? It turns out, your emotions aren’t just passing moods; they’re quiet messengers, shaping the world your baby is about to enter. Science now tells us what mothers have always sensed: that the womb is not just a physical shelter, but an emotional environment too. Mother is the creator, hence her emotions during pregnancy play a significant role in her unborn child.
We spoke to Dr Juhee Jain, Director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, New Delhi, who explained the fascinating ways in which a mother’s emotions during pregnancy become the foundation of her baby’s emotional and cognitive well-being.
How Do Mother's Emotions Shape Her Child's Mind In The Womb
Hormonal Changes
"When a pregnant woman is stressed, her body releases cortisol, the primary stress hormone. In small doses, it's harmless. However, prolonged stress can cause elevated cortisol levels to pass through the placenta and affect the baby's brain while it develops. This can raise the risk of the child being more likely to have anxiety and emotional dysregulation later in life," said Dr Jain.
On the other hand, when a mother is loved, secure, and content, oxytocin is released in her body, commonly referred to as the 'love hormone.' Oxytocin encourages relaxation and attachment, not only in the mother but also in the baby. It creates a calm internal environment and fosters early emotional bonding.
Heart Rate and Blood flow
"Positive emotions promote a stable heart rate and steady blood flow to the baby, which benefits the baby. However, anxiety and tension can lead to an increased heart rate in both mother and infant. This can limit the passage of oxygen and influence the baby's growth. It's as if the baby reflects the mother's inner state," added Dr Jain.
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Neurological Development
If a baby is exposed to ongoing maternal stress, there is a higher likelihood of altered brain structure in areas responsible for memory, learning, and emotional regulation. A JAMA Network Open study found that stress can alter brain growth, connectivity, and structure, increasing the risk of long-term cognitive and emotional challenges.
Parent Baby Bonding
"The positive emotional state of the mother ensures a safe bond between mother and baby. This will create a lifelong attachment between the two," added Dr Jain. A peaceful mother is likely to have a peaceful baby, and that harmony continues to influence their relationship outside the womb. These initial emotional blueprints play a part in how securely the baby will bond with the caregiver and how emotionally tied they'll be as they mature.
Baby’s Response to the World
Infants born to mothers with high levels of stress tend to exhibit increased reactivity to stress themselves. This is to say that their tiny nervous systems might react more intensely to new stimuli, discomfort, or separation. Conversely, a peaceful and emotionally stable pregnancy supports the baby in developing resilience right from birth.
Also Read: Can Stress Affect Your Baby? Understanding The Impact Of Maternal Stress
Genetic Expression
A mother's emotional experience can affect certain genetic expressions. The emotional experiences a mother has during pregnancy can directly affect how specific genes in the foetus are turned on or off. This does not change the baby's DNA but how that DNA is expressed, especially in reaction to stress or emotional response. A study published in Scientific Reports showed that prenatal maternal stress can induce adult-onset disease by affecting foetal development through epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and short noncoding RNA expression, like microRNAs.
Long-Term Effect
It is common for the emotional tone of pregnancy to remain with a child for the rest of their lives and beyond. Various studies have identified maternal stress during pregnancy with increased risk for emotional and behavioural difficulties in children, including anxiety disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and even depression later in life. A 2018 study found that maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of ADHD in preschool children.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]