The Prenatal Experience
by Dielle Ciesco ©2008  All Rights Reserved

            The subject of maternal bonding is one that has been and continues to be studied. We know that during labor and after a baby is born, a hormone called oxytocin is responsible for the love bond between mother and child ensuring survival through  mutual trust and deep affection.  We also know that a baby needs to be touched and held close in order to attach in psychologically healthy ways to its mother or caregiver. 

            But what about bonding with a child before birth?  Is it possible?  For some, this seems like a far-fetched idea.  But many pregnant women will share their stories of the baby kicking or turning in response to some outside stimulus.  Some babies show a preference for certain voices, usually mother’s, or certain kinds of music.  Some have even been known to obey requests to move during sonograms or amniocentesis. 

            For me, there is no question that parental bonding occurs well before birth, or even before conception when the baby’s soul is attracted by the parents attempting to conceive.  So, these months before birth are just as important as the months following birth to ensure the emotional and developmental stability of a child. 

            If you are expecting, now is the time to start sharing yourself with your baby.  Realize that everything you do, think, feel, watch, hear, eat, etc. is in some measure experienced and likely remembered on some level by baby.  Your baby is an unconditional witness to your life, a witness with a consciousness and emotional, telepathic understanding.  Baby really will feel what you feel, but without the measure of understanding you have as a mature human, and will thus be subject to pre-verbal interpretations of what it all means.  It boils down to either “I am safe,” or “I am not safe.”  This is where writing and then reading a prenatal vow can come in handy as a reassurance to your little one. 

            And remember, it isn’t just you.  Anyone and everything in baby’s environment can have an impact.  So trust your instincts.  If something doesn’t feel right, modify.  If you would protect your child from an experience or person if they were in the human world, protect them in the fetal world as well. And above all connect and talk to your baby on a daily basis.

The shamanic practice of recapitulation is a great way to make sure the energy of your day does not leave an imprint on your child…or you!  The Voice of Life offers a free PDF course in recapitulation to expectant mothers by request.  For more on the energetic practice of recapitulation, check out this introduction to the recapitulation process.