Short-Term Impact of Fetal Imaging on Paternal Stress and Anxiety
Brown, Gary F.
Vol. 3 (1), 1988, 25-40

This study compared the stress and anxiety responses of expectant fathers attending a routine visit with their partners who saw ultrasound imaging of their unborn chid with those of fathers also attending a routine office visit with their partners who did not view ultrasound imaging of the fetus. Fathers were given the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Subjective Stress Scale in addition to a demographic questionnaire and the Paternal Attitudes towards Pregnancy Inventory prior to the examination. The anxiety and stress measures were readministered after the examination. Anxiety measures showed no significant differences between experimental and control groups, but fathers who saw fetal imaging did experience significant reductions in stress.

Psychobiosocial Intervention in Threatened Premature Labor
Mehl, Lewis E.
Vol. 3 (1), 1988, 41-52

A pilot study of 44 women threatening premature delivery (from 20-34 weeks gestation) investigated whether psychobiosocial intervention could be a useful adjunct to medical management of premature labor. Hypnosis was used with all subjects; 77% also received body awareness techniques . Forty women (91%) progressed to term; three who did not had twins and one, who was at 4 cm. dilation when diagnosed, received only one hypnosis session. Common issues expressed during hypnosis, their impact on the pregnancy, and how they were modified are discussed. The positive results of this study suggest that a randomized, controlled trial of psychobiosocial interventions during premature labor is warranted.

Toward a Developmental Nosology based on Attachment Theory
Laibow, Rima E.
Vol. 3 (1), 1988, 5-24

Psychotherapy can proceed along rational lines only when a clear conception of the patient's clustered symptomatology yields an accurate picture of the disease process which the treating person can conceptualize. This article, which presents several case histories, indicates that we presently have only a primitive picture of the developmental impact of the complex interactive factors involved in pre- and peri-natal trauma, pre- and peri-natal non-traumatic experience, constitutional susceptibilities and capacities, maternal connection and attachment factors, environmental stressors, etc. on the emerging human. A nosology of pre- and peri-natal experience and early attachment events and their derivative states seems clearly necessary for practitioners in their attempts to help patients achieve the remission and alleviation of pathological states and the prevention of avoidable pathologies for themselves, their charges and children.

Pain in the Neonate
Tyler, Donald C.
Vol 3 (1), 1988, 53-59

While pain control in children has been poor in the past, pain control for neonates has been virtually neglected. In this review, the author examines the rationalizations for not treating pain in neonates, then discusses three areas where pain control needs improvement--surgical anesthesia, analgesia for circumcision, and analgesia following surgery--and suggests ways of improving care in all three spheres.

Pain and its Effects in the Human Neonate and Fetus
Anand, K. J. S., & Hickey, P. R.
Vol. 3 (2), 1988, 103-123

This article traces the numerous lines of evidence suggesting that fetal pain pathways as well as cortical and subcortical centers necessary for pain perception are well developed late in gestation, and that the neurochemical systems known to be associated with pain transmission and modulation are intact and functional. Physiologic responses to painful stimuli have been well documented in neonates of various gestational ages. The authors argue the importance of evaluating the risks of sedation, analgesia, local anesthesia or general anesthesia during invasive procedures in neonates and young infants.

Maternal Report of Perinatal Information as a Predictor of Cardiopulmonary Functioning in the Neonate
Gray, Jeffrey W.
Vol. 3 (2), 1988, 124-139

This study examined the relationship between neonates' cardiopulmonary conditions and relevant information from the perinatal period in 50 consecutively born children at a Midwest teaching hospital. Multiple regression analyses showed that a linear composite of mothers' report of perinatal information accounted for a significant amount of the variability in three of the five APGAR components at one minute (i.e., heart rate, respiratory effort, and reflex irritability), and all five APGAR components at five minutes. Results were interpreted as lending support to the utility of structured maternal report of perinatal information.

Teaching Mother/Fetus Communication: A Workshop on How to Teach Pregnant Mothers to Communicate with their Unborn Children
Riley, Clara
Vol. 3 (2), 1988, 77-86

There has been much in the literature about the to-be-born child's ability to receive stimuli such as sounds heard inside and outside the womb, various emotions felt by the mother, and physical trauma. Little has been said about the ability of the mother to communicate directly with her unborn child and the ability of that child to respond in a way that the mother can understand. The author presents a model in which the mother can communicate by meditation with the child and receive its thoughts in a dialogic fashion, resulting in more of a partnership concerning the pregnancy and delivery process. Case material is presented to illustrate the process.

Prenatal University: Commitment to Fetal-Family Bonding and the Strengthening of the Family Unit as an Educational Institution
Van de Carr, F. Rene, & Lehrer, Marc
Vol. 3 (2) , 1988, 87-102

This paper reviews The Prenatal University prenatal stimulation program designed to: 1) create an interactive relationship between parents and the developing fetus, and 2) reinforce a "preconscious awareness of the environment" by the developing fetus. Prenatal stimulation allows bonding with both parents and strengthens familial bonding through interactive communication. Prenatal stimulation introduces an associative learning process that may impact fetal development through stimulation of auditory, tactile, and spatial senses beginning at 20 weeks of gestation; more complex musical tones and verbal stimulation are introduced at 32 weeks. Follow-up interactions with parents and infants support the program's assertions and cite the long-lasting affects of prenatal stimulation upon subjects as they grow into childhood. (Reprinted in Vol. 12 [3-4], 1998)

The Scientific Basis of Pre- and Peri-Natal Psychology, Part I
Verny, Thomas R.
Vol. 3 (3), 1989, 157-170

This paper deals with three significant parameters of pre- and peri-natal psychology from a research perspective. The development and function of the CNS is examined with particular emphasis on myelination, auditiology, EEG studies and neonatal behavior. Next, advances in the knowledge of intrauterine learning are reviewed. Last, the effect of perinatal trauma on personality development is considered.

The Inquiry into Prenatal Musical Experience: A Report of the Eastman Project 1980-1987
Shetler, Donald J.
Vol. 3 (3), 1989, 171-189

This paper describes early research and current trends in prenatal brain growth, development of the auditory system, and characteristics of the fetal environment. It outlines the protocol for a pilot longitudinal study of pre- and post-natal response to musical stimuli, pre- and post-natal behavioral response, and implications for accelerated musical and speech development. Preliminary findings are included.

Psychotherapy with Infants and Children
Emerson, William R.
Vol. 3 (3), 1989, 190-217

This article describes the basic parameters of psychotherapy for infants and children. The essential core of the Emerson model of therapy is descried as relational, requiring empathy and compassionate contact. Fundamental techniques to uncover pre- and peri-natal trauma are discussed, and the results of 15 years of development and evaluation are summarized. Case examples are provided.

Pre- and Perinatal Anthropology: A Selective Review
Laughlin, Charles D.
Vol. 3 (4), 1989, 261-296

This review provides an overview of the range of data and issues pertaining to pre- and peri-natal life discussed in the ethnographic and cross-cultural psychological literature, arguing that no account of early life is complete within lodging the process in its sociocultural context. The article notes methodological problems; theoretical considerations pertaining to culture and personality research, and Piagetian development models; ecological and genetic perspectives; enculturation stress; caretakers other than mother; the social importance of birth order, father-infant interaction; infant indulgence and independence, etc.

Babies Remember Pain
Chamberlain, David B.
Vol. 3 (4), 1989, 297-310

This article discusses the mounting evidence that babies experience pain at birth and the continuing denial that it occurs on the part of psychologists and medical practitioners. It presents myths about the brain that have been the rationale for painful procedures but cites studies and examples of infant cries as well as findings on the pain of circumcision. A final section focuses on pain in the NICU, the delivery room, and the nursery, concluding with an appeal that all painful procedures imposed on newborns be reconsidered.

Maternal Stress and Fetal Motor Behavior: A Preliminary Report
Rossi, Nicolino, Avveduti, Paola, Rizzo, Nicolo, & Lorusso, Raffaele
Vol. 3 (4), 1989, 311-318

Fetal motility was observed by ultrasound scan in 15 pregnant women awaiting amniocentesis in order to assess the effects of maternal stress on fetal motor behavior. Amniocentesis was considered a stress situation giving rise to maternal anxiety not artificially induced. The control group consisted of 15 pregnant women undergoing routine ultrasound examination. Fetal motor activity was assessed in terms of quantity and quality. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Fetuses showed a significantly higher motor activity, although qualitative differences did not appear in the experimental group. Anxiety score was also higher than in the controls.

Toward Prevention of Developmental Disorders
Welsh, Martha G.
Vol. 3 (4), 1989, 319-328

Based on the hypothesis that autism represents one of the severest developmental disorders and that it represents disturbed attachment to the mother, a model for mother-child holding therapy is presented along with case histories. Anecdotal results show that such therapy can establish a strong bond resulting in such a radical change in the course of development that early assessment cannot predict the outcome. The author argues that one should not assume any negative outcome to developmental delays until a strong tie is effected because in many cases normal or even outstanding development may result from establishing a healthy bond.