Fetal Behaviour

This volume presents material on foetal behaviour, with coverage of behavioural development during normal pregnancy, the state of current research, foetal behaviour and psychology, and the assessment of foetal well-being.

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The greater access to the foetus provided by the introduction of ultrasonography into clinical practice has shown that the development of behaviour begins in the early stages of gestation. This volume represents material on foetal behaviour, with detailed coverage of behavioural development during the normal pregnancy, the state of current research, foetal behaviour and psychology, and assessment of foetal well-being. The material is presented in four sections. The first gives a detailed description of normal behaviour in the human foetus through all stages of pregnancy. The second looks at the current findings in relation to foetal behaviour and developmental psychology, with possible directions for future research. Of particular importance is the information dealing with medication capable of producing abnormal behaviour and potentially dangerous to the developing central nervous system. The third section covers foetal behaviour in relation to foetal psychology and the foetal-maternal axis. The final section summarizes consequences for clinical practice, foetal monitoring and perinatal research.
It describes what behaviour is normal at any given gestation age and the consequences of techniques used to assess the condition of the foetus.