Evidence that prenatal care visit experiences influence perceptions of the child

Parents’ descriptions of their baby prenatally are associated with later caregivingbehavior and attachment. We present two studies to investigate the role of prenatal care visits inshaping prenatal perceptions. In Study 1, 320 pregnant people provided a description of theirbaby, and at a follow-up (n=173) reported on their toddler’s behavioral and emotional difficulties.Descriptors attributed to prenatal care visit experiences, versus other sources, had morenegative tone. More negative descriptions were prospectively associated with greater childdifficulties. In Study 2, 161 people reported on the personality of a baby following an imaginedprenatal care visit, in which participants were randomly assigned to conditions differing instatements made by the healthcare provider. Provider statements were associated withdramatic differences in perceptions of the fetus. Our findings provide evidence that prenatalcare experiences influence perceptions of a child’s personality prior to birth, with potentialconsequences for later child functioning.