Fetal Awareness

Fetal awareness is the capacity of a fetus to feel, think and respond to their environment during pregnancy. This capacity develops gradually throughout gestation and allows the fetus to react to sensory information, such as the mother's voice, touch, and the sensations of taste and smell. Fetal awareness has significant implications for maternal-fetal bonding, preterm labor management, and later infant development. Research into fetal awareness also provides insight into the potential for postnatal behavior, such as language development, social awareness and emotional regulation.