Pre-natal training for distressed moms?

BANGALORE: How about writing a letter to your yet-to-be born baby? Or speaking to him or her about the memorable things that you do every day? Yes, these can be done through prenatal training. 

In today's society, parents do not wait for pre-nursery training but jump straight to prenatal training. Even in mythology, Abhimanyu learned about Chakravyuha from Krishna. 

Prenatal research focuses on neuro-hormonal links between a mother and her baby in the womb to have emotional dialogue. "A positive frame of mind during pregnancy contributes significantly to the infant's development. Mothers who are depressed or have psychological problems during pregnancy are likely to pass the negative vibes to children," says Dr Vijaya Raman, child psychologist. 

Prenatal training sessions are held to encourage positive thinking for mothers. The sessions include special exercise for handling pregnancy and labour. "But a mother's depression does affect the child's health like nutritional deficiency," says Dr Shakuntala Baliga, gynaecologist . 

According to director of Aspire Learning, K Swaminathan , who also runs a prenatal training programme, a child in the womb has ability to learn and the sessions are designed to connect the mother with the baby. 

In the session, a couple is asked to write love letters to the unborn child. Mothers are also asked to share their routine life experiences with the baby. Since newborns react better to languages they were exposed to in the womb, couples are asked to read and speak in different languages with the child. 

Prenatal training centres use the term 'providing the kangaroo touch'. The sessions are accompanied with customized music for stimulation and de-stressing. 

These programmes are based on the grandmothers' wise advice, which says the happier the mother, healthier is the baby. 

Babies exposed to prenatal training are said to be more relaxed and alert at birth, smile early, sleep well at night, are confident, emotionally balanced, have stronger immune system, good memory and concentration . The results are based on direct experiences of the parents who took the training sessions. The results have not been scientifically verified.