consciously choose to nurture and cherish her unborn baby. This bonding before birth sets the stage, so to speak, for the bonding after birth.
In the past decade or two, more studies are showing that
prenatal bonding, according to Verny, "to a great extent
determines the future of the mother-child relationship." "Study
after study shows happy, content women have bright outgoing
infants." he writes. Verny's book is a must-read for every
pregnant woman!
During her pregnancy, and especially during the last
trimester, there are several things a woman can do to ensure
that her child is receiving the greatest positive psychological
benefit possible.
First, as much as she is able to, she needs to avoid negative
thoughts and emotions. Maternal emotions such as anger, anxiety
and fear generate a physiological response which the fetus also
feels. These physical sensations are uncomfortable and disrupt
the security and contentment he feels in the womb. An occasional
upset is all right, it's long-term stress or negativity that
must be avoided. Too much maternal negativity can predispose a
baby to be colicky or unpleasant.
Second, along with avoiding negative emotions, she needs to
avoid the hard beat of rock music. Rock music can set off
kicking in the fetus. Babies are soothed with Vivaldi or
Pachabel. A mother can make herself a cassette and listen to it
often to soothe and calm her unborn baby. Many women then play
it after the birth to help calm the baby.
Third, a pregnant woman can spend a time daily in prayer,
meditation or repeating positive affirmations. An example: "My
baby is happy, health, beautiful and smart." Whatever would be
calming to herself would naturally be calming to her unborn
baby.
Also, during this contemplative period each day, she can
visualize herself holding a happy, health baby. She can see both
parents smiling and joyous over the perfect and easy birth. She
can feel the love and joy within herself over the miracle of her
baby, and visualize the baby feeling and growing in this love.
She can actually see baby smiling and feeling loved in her arms.
She can speak directly those words of love she's feeling for her
baby, and tell him often in many different ways that she loves
him.
Pregnancy can be a stressful and/or joyful time in a woman's
life. It is to her child's benefit, as well as to their future
relationship, to focus on the love she has for her unborn baby.
Joyous attention over the blessing of her child will help
magnificently toward the health and well-being of her future
child.
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