You are growing a whole new person inside you. It is a fascinating thing in the world. Everyone is taken aback by the transition from normal adulthood to parenthood. You’re getting set to take on a new relationship. You are getting ready to welcome someone new into your life. You don’t know anything about them. You cannot believe that you just made a little person.
More amazing still is how much your baby does while still inside your womb. Because we typically believe that life begins when a baby is born, it might be difficult to visualize this. Strictly speaking, this is not true. The time in the uterus plays a pivotal role in shaping which the baby is when they’re outside.
Here are some of the most surprising things about unborn babies:
- They know you
Different senses develop at various times during your baby’s growth in the womb. Your voice, the food you eat, the music you listen to, and so much more all reveal who you are to your unborn child. They learn more about you while they are in there. They actually see you as their entire world. The fact that newborns find solace in their mothers’ presence is not merely a coincidence. For nine months, your baby spends quite a bit of time studying you.
- They know what you eat
Your baby is well aware of the different flavours you eat, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. The placenta is very effective in transmitting these flavours to your baby. We know that babies can detect flavours in the womb as food you eat can alter the flavour of amniotic fluid. Babies, however, have demonstrated a predisposition for sweet flavors since 15 weeks old by gulping down more liquid when it is sweet and less when it is bitter.
- They know your voice
They know your voice, and it soothes them. Babies are babies even in the womb. Since you are at that stage their most familiar thing in the world, they find solace in the sound of your voice and heartbeat. Of course, they are completely unaware of what you are saying. Reading to them, singing to them, or simply conversing with them are all options. It is an excellent way of bonding with your unborn baby and letting them know you are there for them.
- They know your tone
Your baby knows when you are happy or sad or angry or excited by the tone of your voice. They can sense it all from in there. It is more difficult to perform given the mood fluctuations. However, staying upbeat will benefit you because it will make your unborn child happy. Even though it is too early for them to fully understand sentiments, they think about and pick up emotions from you at that time. You can observe that they begin to feel panicky when you are angry, which is a natural defence mechanism that babies have. They are just responding to the different stimuli around them. For your baby to be free of any stress in the uterus, keep things calm and happy as much as you can.
- Babies open their eyes inside the womb and can see light from the outside
It is pretty hard to imagine how light enters the uterus. However, it does happen, and studies have shown that it triggers your baby to respond to the light reflectively.
Although a baby’s eyes can “see” light starting around week 16, their peepers aren’t fully formed until about week 20. The eyes first open between weeks 26 and 28.
Although their vision is somewhat fuzzy, they are able to see strong lights like the sun or a spotlight placed at a woman’s abdomen, to which they can react by fluttering their wings in movement. Getting outside often might even help a baby’s eyes develop and reduce the risk of a few eye disorders.
- They can laugh or cry
It is tough to imagine a baby crying in the womb. The fact is that they are not calling. Babies cry in the womb – this starts at about 26 weeks from conception. Don’t worry, as crying is an important communication tool for babies, it’s understandable they are honing their technique before they enter the world!
- They know when you touch your belly
Yes, babies can feel it when you rub your belly. No wonder everyone seems to be very keen on doing that to you. When you rub your belly, you’ll see that your baby reacts differently. Over time, different areas of their bodies gradually develop touch receptors. New receptors start to form, and they appreciate the touch sensation and respond accordingly by kicking or moving around. They often detect the fluid in the amniotic sac as the touch sensation intensifies and actively reach for these objects. However, until the very last period of pregnancy, they are unable to experience pain.
Don’t worry, though. Your baby will be full of surprises when they come out as well. You will be so excited to get to know them soon enough. Meanwhile, use these facts to bond better with your baby as they rent your uterine space!
