Why would they do that? Because their son has been diagnosed with a complex neural defect that kills most infants soon after birth.
Anencephaly results in babies being born without parts of their brain and skull meaning their life could be very brief.
After learning their unborn child would be born with the condition, the parents drew up with a list of places and experiences that they wanted to share with their unborn child during the mother's pregnancy before the expected arrival in October.
The parents will cherish every second they have with their son and say they can't wait to meet their little man.
You might think this is wasted effort, but science has proven otherwise. Besides the parents using positive activity to strengthen the memory of their son's early life, the baby can hear, feel emotions, and bond with his parents before birth.
Here's an excerpt from Parents Ask About Life In The Womb:
A study in Ireland, using ultrasound observation and measured pulses of sound revealed that babies with normal hearing start moving in reaction to sound around 16 weeks gestational age. This was earlier than previous estimates and occurs about two months before completion of the ear, suggesting that there is more to hearing than the ear alone. Babies seem especially interested in parental voices and begin learning the mother's native language (the mother tongue) while in the womb.
Around the third week after conception, a folding maneuver creates the neural tube from which the brain and spinal cord develop. If all goes well, a rapid, richly choreographed set of movements will put all the basic parts of the brain in place by eight weeks. These will not be replaced. From this foundation, brain parts will send out branches and establish billions of connections necessary for the perfect coordination of the entire nervous system. This process will continue for years after birth. Amazingly, the brain, like the heart, remains active during its own construction. Various experiences the brain has during this period including encounters with food, drink, medicine, games, accidents, and nicotine--will actually determine its final size and organization. Therefore, it is best to assume the brain is already working and to love your baby and communicate with it without any waiting period.
Studies of pregnant mothers watching upsetting videos suggest that babies can become upset along with their mothers. Several studies have revealed that babies tend to become depressed when their pregnant mothers are depressed, an effect which begins in the womb and has been measured after birth.
Every baby is stimulated by the natural environment of the womb while being carried about by a normally active, expressive mother. This means exposure to music, singing, voices, rhythmic dancing, exercise, bathing, touching, and all other activities. Harm is not likely unless experiences are taxing, jolting, or violent. Formal programs of prenatal enrichment which have been thoroughly tested in experimental and control groups confirm that prenates are alert, aware, socially oriented, and are learning from experience. Furthermore, test results seem to demonstrate that the extra stimulation has a positive influence on brain development.
My next sibling is clever and socially active, although she experiences panic attacks of late.
During my mother's third pregnancy, my parents were separated and my mother in dire financial straights. She was suicidal at one stage until a kind woman took her in until the birth. The year was about 1947. My sister and I, at the ages of three & five, were looked after in a children's home. My youngest sibling has trouble coping and is inclined toward depression.
I think the young couple from the news story have the right idea about creating happy memories for their unborn child. Maybe their positive influence will work miracles.
Every person is unique. I'd love you to share your own experience at and before the time of your birth.