ZDF documentary hosted by Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim

Image video source –zdf.de

Schon bevor wir geboren werden, erleben wir Unglaubliches. Bereits das Ungeborene entwickelt komplexe Wahrnehmungen und ein Gedächtnis, sein Gehirn reagiert auf Gefühle und die Sprache der Mutter. (Wegen expliziter Geburtsszene empfohlen ab 12 Jahren)

Watch the documentary in German here >>

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The documentary (in German, rated PG 12)  “Unser Leben – Wie es beginnt” explores the remarkable journey of human development before birth. Hosted by Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim, it delves into the latest findings in prenatal, infant, and early childhood research. The film features award-winning photographs and emotional video footage documenting the profound event of birth.

The documentary highlights how researchers gain insights into life before birth, including the use of functional magnetoencephalography (f-MEG) to record fetal brain activity. This technology allows the study of cognitive functions such as recognizing the mother’s voice, memory formation, and prenatal learning. PI Claudia Buss (B04) explains the impacts of prenatal stress on fetal brain development (@timestamp 35:40), noting that severe stress can enlarge the amygdala potentially increasing the risk of future anxiety disorders and depression. However, the film emphasizes the brain’s plasticity, indicating that these changes can be reversed with ample affection and care after birth.