PRENATAL AND PERINATAL EDUCATION SERIES - ARTICLE 11
IMPLICATIONS AND INSPIRATIONS
- Shivakumar Belavadi, PPNE, Bangalore, India
TOPIC: WRITE A SHORT
ESSAY EXAMINING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS (STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ETC.)
THAT AFFECT THE UNBORN CHILD.
INTRODUCTION
An
Unborn Child is resident in the womb of the mother. It is physically attached
to the mother through the Umbilical cord and the Chorionic Villi forming part
of the Placenta. This is well known in Obstetrical sciences. But the effect of
the child is not just through the transference of food, nutrients and other
enzymes from the mother. There are many other factors – at least of equal, if
not higher importance.
This
essay will attempt to trace the causes and effects and implications of
psychological factors. The first thing to do is to recognize and accord a
status to prenatal babies.
Sentient Prenatal Babies
An
embryo/ foetus developing in the uterus was considered only as a physical
entity and nothing more. Till a few decades ago (and even more recently), it
was considered that a child in the womb does not have a fully developed brain,
emotions and senses; therefore does not have feelings, sensations and
expressions for those. But unborn babies
do have all of these. For instance, babies in the womb could react
violently during Amniocentesis procedures (needle insertion into the Amniotic
Sac for drawing out fluid samples). Babies have withdrawn in fear to the
needle, attacked needles and writhed and cried out in pain. There is enough recorded
and researched evidence of these.
In
other recorded evidence, babies in the womb have their sensory system operating
at almost full capacity before birth. Some
clear example of these:
· Babies
react to tastes. Babies swallow more from the womb environment
when mothers have consumed sweets like chocolates and less when they have taken
pungent foods like garlic.
· Babies
discern sound. When they hear pleasant sound like
Brahm’s Lullaby, Mozart, and Vivaldi’s music, the foetal heart rates are slower
and babies are relaxed in the womb. On the contrary, they react violently with
increased heart rates and by kicking to rock music, other tunes of Brahms and
Beethoven.
· Behavioural
Tendencies: William Emerson, quotes Piontelli in her book
From “Fetus to Child”, citing cases of prenatal awareness. Piontelli describes
a twin pair, at about four months of gestation, who were very conscious of each
other, and were also involved in dominance-submission interactions. One of the
twins was dominant and aggressive, the other submissive. Whenever the dominant
twin was pushing or hitting, the submissive twin withdrew and placed his head
on the placenta, appearing to rest there. In life, when these twins were four
years of age, they had the same relationship. Whenever there was fighting or
tension between the pair, the passive twin would go to his room and put his
head on his pillow. He also carried a pillow and used it as his "security
blanket," resting on it whenever his twin became aggressive.”
Pain
has been compounded after birth in NICU procedures done without anaesthesia.
This is in the understanding that just like the unborn, the new born is also
not sentient. David Chamberlain has
written that – “Perhaps the greatest routine violence to premature babies has
been surgery without anaesthesia. Even the most common heart surgery, patent
ductus arteriosus, was typically performed without pain killers (Anand &
Aynsley-Green, 1985; Butler, 1989; Harrison, 1987). A similar tragedy with a
much longer history is the practice of penile circumcision, a legacy of ancient
tribal patriarchy which ironically was copied in the U.S. by obstetricians and paediatricians
with profound and painful consequences (O'Mara, 1993; Porter, Miller, &
Marshall, 1986; Romberg, 1985).”
With
the above background, we can begin with the clear understanding that Prenates
are sentient and capable.
THE GOLDEN PERIOD
The
reader may have wondered, why a reference to new-borns has been made above
while discussing unborn babies. For a reason. It is now well recognised in
prenatal and perinatal sciences that the period of Pregnancy and Infancy (about
two years after birth) form a continuum. The babies in the womb and during
infancy are specially enabled in the course of their development. They function
largely with the subconscious mind’s abilities as opposed to those of the
conscious mind.
Dr.
Bruce Lipton, an authority on Cellular Biology has discussed this extensively
in his book Biology of Belief. Babies in
the womb and during infancy function operate in the bands of Delta and Theta
wave frequencies (approximating from 0.5 to 4 Hz). Their capacities at that
time are far in excess of what a conscious mind can do. For instance, the
conscious mind (with brain, memory, thinking abilities etc.) processes 40
environmental stimuli per second. On the other hand, the subconscious mind
processes 20,000,000 stimuli per second! Similarly, the conscious mind cannot
view objects behind opaque screens. Subconscious can! The point being made here is that the babies
in such a state are highly empowered to take in signals and form the first
impressions of life. These impressions form patterns, get reinforced and may
subsequently be expressed in the course of the whole life!
Dr.William
Emerson summarises this with a simple example in the following words:
“Theory
and research from the last 20 years indicates that prenatal experiences can be
remembered, and have lifelong impact………. Prenatal experiences are likely to
have lifelong impact when they are followed by reinforcing conditions or
interactional trauma. The term interactional trauma means that traumas interact
with each other in producing their effects. For example, it is unlikely that
being stuck during the birthing process causes claustrophobia during adulthood.
However, claustrophobia is more likely if similar, reinforcing traumas occur.”
This
period of 9 months of Pregnancy and 2 years of Infancy adds up to about 1000
days. It is a highly potent period when the child forms its patterns for the
rest of its life. Information given above, summarises that an unborn baby while
in the womb of the mother is:
1. Sentient and Aware
2. Operates with different capabilities, some with much
higher potential than adults operating in their conscious minds. The baby truly
has “super human potential and abilities”.
3. Takes in impressions in this phase which could impinge on
life patterns and impact the subsequent course of life.
Preconception Period
Many of
the processes causing and influencing childbirth are operational during the
preconception period. For example - A pregnant lady, is born out of an egg/ovum
which is generally takes shape and is visible in the 11th week of
pregnancy of her grandmother. Human body takes in dozens of chemicals which
remain in a non-metabolized state and may be found in the uterus. The chemicals
may influence the embryo which will nest there in the womb. Today scientists
and sociologists are both advocating that the process of childbirth begins much
before conception. Hence the preparation for having a child should begin right then.
In my opinion, given the prevailing lifestyles, a minimum of 3 to 5 months preparation
may be needed. They impinge upon the selection of genes, gene expression and
genomic imprinting.
If we
reckon the total period – from preconception through infancy, it sums up to
more than 1100 days. That is the Golden
Period in the life of an Individual, which has the maximum and profound
influence through the course of full life.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS – CAUSES AND INFLUENCES ON THE UNBORN
CHILD.
A child
in the womb is intimately and totally connected with the mother. What the
mother experiences in her body and mind, clearly and directly impacts the
child. If the mother has unpleasant or pleasant experiences or perceptions,
these transfer to the child seamlessly and automatically. The reactions of the
unborn child have been noticed through increased foetal heart rates and levels
of stress hormones (catecholamines, cortisol etc.).
Physical Influences
An
unborn child being sentient has a perception of what is prevailing within the
womb and around her/him. These could be mediated from sensory signals like
light, sound, smell and touch. For example, if the mother hears loud noises or
undergoes jerks and jolts, the experiences cascade into the child. When mothers
have consumed alcohol or tobacco, the babies have clearly demonstrated negative
effects including foetal alcoholism and blood nicotine levels. Hence the
mother’s physiological responses translate into effects on the child as well.
In the same manner, physical abuse and violence felt or perceived by the
pregnant mother also impacts on the child. It is well known that Body impacts
the Mind and vice versa.
Similarly,
experiences of a prenate through food, music, touch and the pains or encounters
of the mother during pregnancy or in the child in birth process (which are
exacerbated with painful use of instruments) are all matters which, if violent
or harmful could cause foetal trauma. A good example to recall, would be the
reaction of babies to needles used in the Amniocentesis process or use of
forceps during birth. Patterns are formed in the cranium because of physical
impact. Some practices like Somatic /Bio-dynamic Cranio Sacral methods, access
these physical points in the course of therapy.
Psychological Influences
If a
mother is subjected to mental harassment or abuse (without physical violence),
there is a similar cascading effect on the child. Logically it would be more
severe if it is accompanied by physical violence. The science and knowledge of
how this operates is slowly being discovered today.
These
are influences mediated by the Mind. What is the human mind? Eminent
psychologist Dan Siegel has described the mind in these words - “The mind,
beyond subjective experience and beyond conscious and non-conscious information
processing, can be seen as a self-organizing, emergent process of a complex
system…….. An important aspect of the mind can be defined as an embodied and
relational, emergent self-organizing process that regulates the flow of energy
and information both within us and between and among us.” It will be seen clearly that the mind is not
the brain, it is self-organizing, it processes information and energy, is
relational and complex. And that system is both within us and between us and
others.
Hence
all the relationships which connect the mother to the external world – be it
the father of the child, the parents of the mother and her(mother’s)
relationship with them through her birth and life, her family, workplace and
other influences - all impinge on her mind and from there, seamlessly flow into
the child in the womb. The mother’s mind could be imagined as a giant TV screen
–through which the child is continuously viewing and understanding as the
realities of the world outside the womb. Many of the present day manifestations
such as fear, anger, depression, anxiety, stress, trauma and shock on the
negative platter and of harmony, peace, balance, attachment, love, creativity
and the like on the positive side are all assimilated as images, experiences
and patterns by the child in the womb and these carry the potential to manifest
later on in life.
Epigenetic Influences
The
genetic apparatus in the nucleus of a cell includes the Chromosomes, DNA, RNA,
Proteins, Amino Acids etc. These were well recognised as those causing physical
growth through the course of development as an embryo and foetus. They in turn, cause the subsequent
manifestation in the physical and mental realms of the child and through the
course of life. Since the genetic patterns through genomic imprinting were made
from conception through pregnancy, it was thought that these genetic patterns and
expressions are final and do not change. This
was the deterministic view of genetic science, which was in vogue for many
decades. However, the new science of Epigenetics has changed the world view on
this subject!
While
genetic patterns are made and manifest immediately or at different times, the
science of Epigentics now clearly states that the genes are continuously
subjected to influence from the outside. Moshe Szyf, Molecular Biologist and Geneticist
at McGill University, Michael Meaney, Neurobiologist
at Owen Egan/McGill University and Dr.Bruce Lipton, a well-known scientist with
a background of Cellular Biology, authoritatively state that external influences
are mediated to the protein and amino acids level by the cell membrane, where
an elaborate mechanism of sensing and assimilating through the operation of “switches”.
The switches turn on/off the genes. Evidently these are gateways. Signal
Transduction is the new science which is studying the signalling
mechanism in depth.
The
term “Epigenetics” is not limited to the influence of the surrounding cells,
blood, tissues and chemicals they carry. Everything in the world of perception
and belief, including faith, prior memory, patterns found in ancestors of a
child, stored and accessed memories, pollution, sound levels, atmospheric
elements including cosmic and universal factors - are all potential epigenetic signals.
Every one of these could influence the physical, mental and emotional realms of
any individual at any time. The cross
connections are immense with everything influencing everything! The epigenetic
influences could even be transgenerational.
The
cognition and structuring the flow of energies is the future human endeavour. While
the benefits of this new understanding will would manifest more and more in the
days to come, PPNE practitioners and professionals are using this knowledge
effectively to generate positive influences and counter negative influences.
FOETAL PSYCHOLOGY – SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE FROM ANCIENT
INDIAN SCRIPTURES
Spiritual
Perspective from Ancient Indian Scriptures
(Ref:
Garbhopanishad, Lalitha Sahasramana from Brahmannda Purana and Guruda Purana)
This is a perspective
from the ancient scriptures of India. I begin with a quote from my Guru
(Spiritual Mentor), Guru Maa Skanda Meera:
“Life is a game of ‘Hide and Seek’. We seek our
own true Self which we have hidden before we are delivered into this world by
our physical mothers. It is not easy to find because we do a good job of hiding
it. Once we do find we are delivered out of this world by our Universal Mother.
This world is her womb. Here is a little trick – Prenatal Education! This is a method by which we can leave very
useful and powerful clues for ourselves before birth because we know there is
memory loss going ahead.
Completeness is to thoroughly enjoy this
treasure hunt!”
Human Being is a
resonating energy being and these energies can be categorised over five layers for
learning purposes. It is important to understand that at any instant all the
layers are working in complete coordination and harmony. Living a spiritual and
conscious life implies inducing symmetrical harmony into these frequencies
through learning and evolving. This is the purpose and ultimate achievement in
human life.
The essence
of the scriptures states that the Self of a human being is Eternal Consciousness.
“All Knowledge” gets fractalized and
thickened at a particular confluence radius, thus forming the semblance of a
membrane or a boundary. This is the
transition from the Limitless to the Limited. The manner in which this individualization
occurs is unique for each human being and depends upon internal factors
(tendencies carried through the continuum of consciousness / previous lives
impressions) and external factors (time, space, gender, family, culture etc.
selected by the one being born/ karmic impressions).
The
process of birth can be understood holistically when it is understood along
with the process of death. The latter being one with no sensorial or
intellectual proof, a student has to exercise belief systems to gain the full
perspective. Therefore understanding the process of birth in continuation with
the process of death, is indeed only a matter of faith and intuition that can
be supported or accessorized with scientific research and understanding. In fact, of the five layers of Human Being,
it is only one- the physical body, that undergoes what we call as “death”. The
rest all the other resonating energies move into a transient phase of
accumulation and exhaustion, and retransform to connect with the Human Realm
again, thus creating the Process of Birth.
The
scriptures then go on to describe in minute details, the formation of elements,
qualities of energies, layers of frequencies, their interactions and effects on
each other, the resultant faculties of intelligence, behaviour, personality,
individuality and even destiny ! The
foundational template for each one of these is formed within the sanctum of
life – The Mother’s Womb.
Therefore what is happening within the womb, is on one hand the creation of a
unique powerful Human Being and on the other hand limitation of a Universal
Being.
This
sets the stage for a psychological state that an adult human may not be able to
relate with easily. It is an
indescribable state that a conscious human being will only experience in the
reverse process of Unification with the Absolute. However, when this indeed
happens, it can only be described as a fulfilling depression. This is the state
a foetus is in, during its journey through the womb. A spiritually evolving
adult is affected by and is free enough to be sensitive to all the factors
surrounding him or her, and at the same time remain objective; similar to a
foetus. During delivery of the baby, there will be a deliberate infusion of
amnesia or loss of memory of this objectivity formed in the Universal Dimension
and then the Self-limiting dimension as an “Individual” contained in the body,
emotions and mind levels unfold. And then
begins life when a human being starts seeking the same state from which life
began!
The
technique of learning these and manifesting this profound knowledge in every
instant of our lives is called Tantra. For the purpose of this essay I shall
illustrate one important part of the spiritual core that directly and clearly
explains foetal psychology as we adults can understand. Here is a picture explaining
the concept in brief.
Purpose
of Life - Learn and Evolve
Creating
the “Hide and Seek” Game
The
core is the “Heart Centre” of the individual or the Baby in the Womb. This
centre is connected to everything within the baby and all external dimensions
including the universe. The Heart is the seat of knowledge – in fact
‘All Knowledge’
Layer
|
Description
of Layer
|
Relevance
to Foetal Psychology
|
Helpful
Influences
|
Harmful
Influences
|
Central
Circle
|
Heart Centre – The seat of Knowledge
|
This is activated prior to conception
|
Intending deliberately and extending an
Invitation
|
Treating it as a mere biological event
|
Six Pointed
Star
|
Six means of Knowledge
|
Begins at formation of Zygote
|
Conscious Conception – sanctity in the act of
union
|
Lustful or pleasure seeking union
|
Six Arc
Sectors
|
Human Desires which create the need for
gaining Knowledge
|
Starts with the attachment of embryo to the
wall of Uterus
|
Prepared Parenting
|
Casual Parenting
|
Six
Semi-Circles
|
Sources of Knowledge
|
These are affirmed by the third month of
Pregnancy
|
Relaxed and soulful pregnancy
|
Anxiety and Fear
|
Nine
Circles
|
Intelligences – the absorption of Knowledge
|
Intelligences – seven of them develop over the
first seven months of Gestation thus completing human consciousness. Interpersonal
and Intrapersonal develop during perinatal and infancy periods
|
Taking up Holistic Practices of Prenatal
Education - Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensorial, Creative, Spiritual
and Devotional
|
Complete ignorance about the Holistic Prenatal
development and lack of conscious activities in pregnancy
|
Nine Two-way
arrows
|
Connections to and from Memory which is a
collective Human Field.
|
Orchestrates from the eight month of Gestation
and reaches its finality in the perinatal / infancy period.
|
Infant Education, Post-partum behaviour and
subconscious learning
|
Betrayal of Trust.
|
All the
above mentioned “Helpful influences” have been given as Samskaras or holistic developmental milestones at points of time in
ancient scriptures. For the common folk who might not take to scriptural
learning, these were given as cultural or religious mandates. Unfortunately,
the true value is not realised and consequently either not done at all or performed
as mere rituals. This knowledge forms the basis of advises and prescriptions of
Ayurveda as well.
Role of Prenatal Education
If a
child in the womb, is given access to more and more resources, primarily by the
parents and society, the child is better equipped and enabled to take up its
role in the ‘Universal-Human Hide and Seek’ orchestrations that go on. The more
the parents are empowered and take to imparting education holistically in all
dimensions, the better is the preparation of the child when it comes out into
the world. These are referred to as the Physical, Emotional, Intellectual,
Sensorial, Creative, Spiritual and Devotional dimensions.
In the
Indian scriptures, the primary role of Prenatal Education is to ‘Educate the
Prenatal Child’. They are called “Garbha
Samskaras” – meaning educating and empowering the child in the course of
the journey of the child from conception to the time of birth in the human
world. These are followed by “Shishu
Samskaras” – meaning education and empowerment in the journey of Infancy.
These are to be completed within about 2 years after birth.
When
the Garbha and Shishu Samskaras periods are combined, they completely map with
the Golden Period of 1000+ days, referred to by present day Prenatal and
Perinatal Psychologists, Workers and Educators. It is to be noted that it is not as if there
is no concern for the pregnant mothers in Indian scriptures, but those are part
of another process called Garbhini
Paricharya.
At this
stage, it may be appropriate recall that the baby in the womb operates through
Delta-Theta frequencies ( mentioned earlier) in the subconscious realm. Indeed
the baby truly has “super human potential”.
If the child is better educated and endowed with knowledge and abilities
through the course of Preconception, Pregnancy and Infancy – the better it will
fare in the subsequent phases of life.
CONCLUSION
Psychological
factors create abilities or weaken potential in unborn children. They influence
the happenings in the course of life as a child and as an adult. The influences
could be understood from different perspectives. In the end there is a clear cut
aim – To Empower a Child. The
more holistically a child is empowered through appropriate inputs, the better
will be the output. Mother, Father, Family, Society, Nations and the World as a
whole have a stake in this.
