Over the past 20 years, the new field of “fetal programming” or “fetal origins” has been studying how in utero experiences exert lasting effects on us from infancy into adulthood. A woman’s experiences and lifestyle can change the development of her unborn baby and beyond. The nutrition in the womb, the drugs, infections, and pollutants the fetus is exposed to, the mother’s health, stress level, and state of mind during pregnancy, all affect the fetus and the person later in life. The experience in the womb has been linked to physical and mental health problems later in life, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, allergies, obesity, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and autism.
Dr . Terry Levy and Mr. Michael Orlans co-wrote this article. They are the co-authors of two books and co-lead seminars on attachment and trauma. They welcome hearing from you.
