Although previous studies have found babies pick up on stress in the womb, this is believed to be the first to offer photographic evidence.
Researcher Nadja Reissland from Durham University gave 15 mothers-to-be 4D ultrasound scans four times during their pregnancy.
Rather than the grainy, ‘flat’ images produced by the 2D scanners usually used by the NHS, a 4D machine stitches together pictures taken from a variety of angles to create clear three-dimensional pictures.
These are then recorded on video – the fourth dimension.
The mothers-to-be were quizzed on their levels of stress in the month leading up to each scan and the videos were analysed to see how often the unborn babies touched their faces. In total, the eight girls and seven boys did so 342 times.
The more anxious the woman was, the more the unborn child mopped its brow, the journal Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition reported. Dr Reissland believes that the babies were picking up on an increase in the stress hormone cortisol being produced by their mothers. The study also found those whose mothers had been under pressure were more likely to use their left hand when touching their face.
This is significant because attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, depression and schizophrenia all more common in people who are left-handed.
Dr Reissland said: ‘Most mothers are fine and needn’t worry but some will need to think about reducing their stress.’
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