Superseded Science VII

[bardiphouka]

Maternal Impression, also known as Versehen .


the belief that a powerful mental influence working on the mother’s mind may produce an impression, either general or definite, on the child she is carrying.

This is another example of a theory which held on with some tenacity until the development of modern genetics. In fact it is still held by some, especially those who follow the Bible literally, in that it shows up in the Book of Genesis. But then a lot of things show up in Genesis. While the actions of the mother can have an effect on the child she is carrying, they are strictly physical. Drugs, nutrition, etc. Not emotions or visual epiphanies etc.

Comments

[fyshmom.livejournal.com]

"Not emotions or visual epiphanies etc."

What about the chemical components of emotions? High cortisol levels in pregnant mothers has been shown to lead to higher levels of cortisol in babies, which typically manifests as crying a lot. Not that I'm saying this theory as it is stated is "correct," but rather that there is a physical element to nearly every state -- if it happens in the body, it manifests in the body in some form or another. To me, it is difficult to say what does and does not effect a fetus -- states of mind carry with them a chemical component and those chemicals can have effects upon the mother and ostensibly the fetus. High levels of adreneline in mothers during labor, for instance, often produces increased heart rate in the child, thus if the mother freaks out during labor, the baby is more likely to become distressed, which then leads to more medical intervention.

Just something to consider. I'll skip the discussion of particle physics for now, just to keep things simple. ;<)

[bardiphouka.livejournal.com]

But what the theory referred to was actual physical changes. Such as a child having blue eyes if the mum went to the ocean. Or a clubfoot if the mum was frightened.

[fyshmom.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. Nope, cortisol doesn't cause clubfeet, last I heard.