The Psychology of Prenatal Development

This important interdisciplinary book introduces the basics of prenatal psychology and works through the current scientific findings in the psychology and psychosomatics of pregnancy and birth. It explores bio-psycho-social relationships, as well as historical and cultural perspectives.

Klaus Evertz works as psycho-, art- and body therapist in his own practice as well as at the Dr. Mildred-Scheel-Academy, University Hospital Cologne, and until 2021, at the Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Germany. A painter and cultural psychologist, his research is in images as forms of consciousness, and he teaches at the Universities of Cologne and Dresden, the Nürtingen University of Art Therapy and the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Economics, Germany.

1. Introduction 2. Historical development of prenatal psychology 3. Transgenerational and prenatal programming: scientific research 4. Basic concepts of prenatal psychology 5. Chronological classification of prenatal psychology 6. Prenatal perception and sensory development 7. Emotional development in the womb: bonding and relationships 8. Clinical implications: psychosocial interventions during pregnancy 9. Prenatal psychotherapy: prenatal psychotraumatology 10. Conclusion