While there is often talk about how wonderful it is to talk to your baby while carrying it and to play music and to read, not much is said about how emotions affect the fetus. I was replying to another post and realized this might be a good subject to explore.

I have four children. All pregnancies were planned. Three of my four children were carried in good times and turned out to be happy, communicative people. My third child, though, was conceived in normal conditions but a number of events occurred almost back to back during that pregnancy which almost brought me to the point of being suicidal. It was concern for the baby that kept me from going off the deep end.

I believe to this day that this son who is very quiet, serious and quick to get emotional developed his attributes while being shaped in the womb. What do others have to say about this?

I can definitely see where such things make sense. Even after they are out of the womb a parent can shape their children's personalities. Mine went through average times so I can't be sure, but there are certainly kids whose mom's went through great or not so great pregnancies whose children are a reflection of that.

I have always thought personalities started in the womb. With my first during pregnancy I worked up til the day I popped and my son is a little on the hyper side (and sometimes loud too). My girl I was a home wife during pregnancy and did as I choose so it was easier, she is more relaxed and quiet (unless she sees the kitty). :)

I also think this is the case with the future attitudes of children, they mostly depend on the emotions of the mother when they were still inside the womb. Although their characteristics will still be shaped when they grow older, but the attitudes will be the same for the rest of their lives.