Babies Anticipate Touch While in the Womb: Study

The researchers at Durham University claim that babies learn how to anticipate touch while in the womb and this is an indication of fetal health.

In a collaborative study conducted by psychologists at Durham and Lancaster Universities,  4D scans revealed for the first time that fetuses can predict their own hand movement toward their mouth as they enter in the later stages of gestation.

The result of this finding is a key indicator of how prepared the infant is for feeding. This study will also help the medical community improve their understanding of babies especially premature infants. With this new finding, they can understand the infant's readiness to socially interact as well as their ability to pacify and soothe themselves by sucking their thumbs.

To proceed with their finding, the researchers conducted 60 scans of 15 healthy fetuses at monthly intervals between 24 weeks and 36 weeks of gestation. They noticed that in the earlier stages the fetuses more frequently touched the upper part and sides of their heads. As they matured, the fetuses touched the more sensitive lower part of their faces including their mouths.

By 36 weeks, greater number of fetuses were seen opening their mouths before touching them, clearly indicating that in later pregnancy the fetuses could anticipate that their hands were about to touch their mouths.

Through the scans the researchers also learnt that the fetus has more awareness of mouth movement as their sensitivity around their mouth increases.

"Increased touching of the lower part of the face and mouth in fetuses could be an indicator of brain development necessary for healthy development, including preparedness for social interaction, self-soothing and feeding. What we have observed are sequential events, which show maturation in the development of fetuses, which is the basis for life after birth. The findings could provide more information about when babies are ready to engage with their environment, especially if born prematurely," lead author Dr Nadja Reissland, in the Department of Psychology, at Durham University said in a news statement.

The researchers claim that this study is a good indication for healthy development of the fetus . The study was conducted on eight girls and seven boys and the researchers observed no difference in their behavior.

Brian Francis, Professor of Social Statistics at Lancaster concluded saying, "This effect is likely to be evolutionally determined, preparing the child for life outside the womb. Building on these findings, future research could lead to more understanding about how the child is prepared prenatally for life, including their ability to engage with their social environment, regulate stimulation and being ready to take a breast or bottle."

Prior to this finding these researchers using 4D scans revealed that fetuses yawn. In their study they claimed that yawing is a developmental process that offers doctors another index of fetal health.

The findings were published in the journal Developmental Psychobiology.