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“Language of Love”
Bonding With Your Unborn
Mrs. Donna - North Canton
 “They are not potential beings; they are beings with potential....”
-Sister Lorna Zempke, Silver Lake College
There we were, tucked away from obvious sight, peering over a balcony at an intimate scene. His arms securely enfolded her, and she swayed with him to the music in a beautiful dance...
Was I a child watching Mommy kissing Santa Claus? No, I assure you, it was even more magical!
Each summer the WeJoySing staff attends a retreat/training. A weekend seminar?, you may be thinking, not magical...dreadful! Not so, at WeJoySing! This gathering is one of the highlights of our year. We laugh, we cry, we sing, we share stories, eat great food, and of course, learn about the latest child-development research.
This past August, the subject of the retreat was Language of Love: Prenatal Bonding/Development. Did you know that even before a mother knows she is pregnant, Baby’s development is going gangbusters? Here’s a glimpse into the first trimester:
- Day 1- All human chromosomes are present…a unique human life has begun!
- Day 11– the umbilical chord starts to form
- Day 21– heart beats, pumps blood...the blood type can be different than Mommy’s!
- Day 28– almost every organ is starting to develop
- Week 6– brain waves can be detected
- Week 7– production of beta endorphins (feel good hormones)
- Week 10– Baby exercises, flips, rolls over
- Week 12– startle and grasp reflexes are present
Baby’s hearing is in place midway through the second trimester. He hears Mommy’s voice at 40 decibels (35 is a stage whisper) and can respond to various intonation patterns. He begins to bond with Daddy and others he hears in his environment. During the 5th-6th month, your baby moves from a sensory (i.e. hand swipes face startling Baby) to a sensate, thinking being (i.e. searches for hand and sucks on it). In other words, your baby now reacts to stimulation. He can play!
After a weekend of studying the life of the unborn child, we attended a “Language of Love” demonstration class. We watched as Mrs. Krista and Mrs. Lynnette led the expectant parents through a series of activities designed to help them bond, stimulate, and communicate with their babies.
As I watched, I remembered being an expectant mother, attending child-birth class. Entering into an unfamiliar situation... Even with my husband at my side, I was anxious.
The WeJoySing staff put theses parents at-ease. Within the first few minutes, the participants’ shoulders relaxed, and they began to laugh and enjoy one another and their baby. Daddy tapped a musical hammer on Mommy’s tummy and sang to Baby. Couples worked (played) together, tossing a scarf back and forth to music. I watched the magic as they escaped into their own world - in a room full of people - as they danced together, Mommy, Daddy, and Baby.
One Language of Love Mother said, “This is my second child. Pregnancy was always so surreal to me. After attending Language of Love, I feel as though, for the first time, I’ve truly bonded with my unborn child.”
Peering over the balcony, we teachers longed for everyone to experience these techniques for bonding with precious, unborn babies.
Now, you too, have peered over the balcony to glimpse the beauty of Language of Love. Is Your Little One waiting to get to know you better? Language of Love classes begin in the Columbus area in January, 2006. Step down from the balcony and onto the dance floor.....It’s simply magical!
A Note from Mrs. Jo
Mommies, remember the wonder of the moment when you first felt your baby’s movement inside of you? One mother shared:
Driving home from work one day, I experienced a fluttering sensation in my abdomen. I’m not getting sick, I thought, but not feeling nauseous. Then, in an instant, I knew...I knew...it was my baby growing, moving inside of me. I laughed all the way home.
Email us with your stories of bonding with your baby in-utero. We’d love to hear from you!
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