Maternal influences on the developing fetus

Observations of a link between pregnant woman and fetus, and speculation on its nature abound throughout history, literature, and across cultures. Despite the ubiquity of the phenomenon, relatively little is known about the manner in which the development of the fetus is influenced by the maternal psychological context. Scientific inquiry into the nature of this relationship has been historically hampered not by lack of interest, but by lack of access to the fetus. Although this changed considerably in the 1980s with the development of real time obstetric ultrasound, the prenatal period is the only time in development when interaction between mother and offspring cannot be directly observed and evaluated.