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The Secret Life of the Unborn Child: How You Can Prepare Your Baby for a Happy, Healthy Life Paperback – July 15, 1982

by Thomas Verny (Author), John Kelly (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 261 ratings
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YOU CAN GIVE YOUR BABY A GREATER CHANCE FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS—MONTHS BEFORE BIRTH!
 
A pioneering physician, Dr. Thomas Verny, gives startling new evidence based on two decades of medical research.
 
Your unborn baby is:
• Capable of learning
• Able to warn you of medical problems you and your doctor may not be aware of
• Able to hear and respond to voices and sounds—including music
• Sensitive to his parents’ feelings about him
• Capable of responding to love
• An active, feeling human being.
 
The ways in which you respond to and care for your unborn child may affect his physical and emotional well-being for the rest of his life. The choices you make today about your child’s birth may make a vital difference for years to come. You can prepare your unborn baby for a happy, healthy life. This remarkable book will show you how!
 
A gift to every loving, caring parent. A book that will change the experience of pregnancy and childbirth forever!
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dell
  4. Publication date
    July 15, 1982
  5. Dimensions
    5.4 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780440505655
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0440505655
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas R. Verny is a psychiatrist, academic, and author of The Secret Life of the Unborn Child. He has taught at Harvard University, University of Toronto, York University (Toronto), and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Dr. Verny founded the Official Journal of the Pre and Peri-Natal Psychology Association of North America and the Pre and Perinatal Journal. He is a leading authority on the effect of the prenatal and early postnatal environment on personality development. He leads workshops and lectures throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia.

John Kelly is the coauthor of numerous books on relationships, including Three on the Edge: The Stories of Ordinary American Families in Search of a Medical Miracle and the international bestseller The Secret Life of an Unborn Child. He lives in New York City.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0440505658
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dell; Reprint edition (July 15, 1982)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780440505655
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0440505655
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 261 ratings

About the author

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Thomas R. Verny

Thomas R. Verny

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Thomas R. Verny MD, DHL (Hon), DPsych, FRCPC, FAPA

is a psychiatrist, writer and academic. He has previously taught at Harvard University, University of Toronto, York University, Toronto, St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. In 1983 Verny founded the Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Association of North America (PPPANA, renamed APPPAH in 1995), and served as its president for eight years. In 1986 he launched the Association's Journal (Human Sciences Press, New York), which he edited from its inception until 1990. In 2013 he became once again Editor-In-Chief of the Journal (JAPPPAH).

Verny's many books (8) including the international best seller, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child now published in 26 countries, professional publications (46) and founding of the PPPANA and the Pre- and Perinatal Journal, have established him as one of the world's leading authorities on the effect of the prenatal and early postnatal environment on personality development. In 2004 Mothering Magazine, in recognition of Verny’s contributions to the field of parenting and child rearing, named him one of their “living treasures.” In 2005 the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute bestowed on Verny a Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL).

Verny lives with his wife in Stratford, Canada. He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Pre and Perinatal Psychology Association and Health (JOPPPAH) and member of the Ontario Review Board (ORB) as well as Editor Emeritus for “The International Journal of Prenatal & Life Sciences.”

Verny’s most recent book, The Embodied Mind, was published by Pegasus, New York, NY in Oct. 2021.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
261 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a must-read for first-time mothers, providing amazing insights into lives before birth.

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32 customers mention "Readability"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a must-read for first-time mothers and the best read during pregnancy. One customer notes that the author handles tough subjects gently.

"...This books supports the Natural Childbirth and the fact that the unborn child does have a consciousness from the moment of conception...." Read more

"This is an excellent book. I learned much about the intelligence and development of the baby in the womb...." Read more

"...useful to those planning a family, deciding on the doctor, and birthing atmosphere and those who are interested in child development and health." Read more

"...links where an individual's personality, thoughts and memories begin in the womb.. to the extent the womb experience contributes to his/her adult..." Read more

26 customers mention "Insight"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating and amazing, providing interesting facts about lives before birth, with one customer noting it contains numerous studies.

"Lots of goid information" Read more

"...It is purely based on scientific studies and is a great eye-opener to modern medicine and its attitude towards birth...." Read more

"...I learned much about the intelligence and development of the baby in the womb...." Read more

"...The authors put forth serious theories that may or may not actually have a positive or negative affect on the roots of the way a child develops,..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Aprilgirltoo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Lots of goid information
    Helpful
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  • SS
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for every pregnant parent
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    This book throws light on the serious physical,psychological damages caused to humans from the type of birth experience and womb life they have.It is purely based on scientific studies and is a great eye-opener to modern medicine and its attitude towards birth.Today's moms are drugged heavily,split open and babies dragged out.And today's youngsters are just a reflection of those birth experiences.Studies show that children of moms who take pain relieving drugs during labor are more prone to abuse of drugs later in life. We just lost that loving tender moments of birth and its place in family.This books supports the Natural Childbirth and the fact that the unborn child does have a consciousness from the moment of conception.I have experienced certain moments in my pregnancy with my first kid,whenever I was depressed,or angry or broke down,I could immediately feel the baby kicking frantically and squirming about,and I would immediately stop at least for the sake of my baby.I remember an incident when a friend of mine came upto me once and cried about how her husband was treating her badly.She had a 4 month old son in her arms.Whenever she cried,the child would look at her frightened and cry with her.Each emotions the mother goes through,including her negative emotions like anger,sadness,unforgiveness,rejection etc can be sensed by the baby in her womb.And if we want our baby to be healthy,along with good nutrition,we should keep a good mental hygiene too,keeping away bad thoughts,resolving any past hurts and problems,being happy and loving your baby abundantly in your womb.This makes it easier for the baby to enter the world.

    Inspired by this book,I went in search for a natural childbirth and took Bradley classes,and also incorporated prayer into the nine months of pregancy.

    These are some more books I suggest for further reading:

    Nurturing the unborn child

    Birth without violence

    Prayer during Pregnancy

    All the best to all parents who wish to make their child's life much peaceful and beautiful by choosing more natural ways of pregnancy and birth and good relationship to God!
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great proof that the spirit of these babies remembers!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent book. I learned much about the intelligence and development of the baby in the womb. This goes right along with the Bible verse that says we are a 1) Spirit, 2) Soul, 3) Body, which is 1 Thessalonians 5:23. It is the spirit in all of this examples of the book that remembers and understands. The soul or mind does not begin to develop until about the time we are born, because the neuro-pathways have not developed enough and the myelination or insulation around them does not start until just before or after birth. There is no way the mind/soul is able to remember these examples in the book. These are examples of the spirit, that God put in each of us, that is remembering these. The author does not explain any of this, but medically and scientifically these stories prove the issue that each human is a triune being created in the image of God who is triune.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Tom McGee
    4.0 out of 5 stars If you are thinking about having a child, read this book first!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    While pregnant in 1984 my wife read this book. She said it gave her insight on the importance of her mental and physical health, as well as the environment, on our unborn child. I remember her rocking, singing, playing soft classical music, rubbing her stomach and talking to our yet to be born child. As long as I can remember, our son has known that we love him and he has turned out to be a well-balanced bright man.

    My interest is on thought and how it affects human behavior. Until recently, I had no idea that The Secret Life of the Unborn Child was the same book that my wife read a little over 23 years ago. I think it is a great read and recommend it to those who plan on having children. While the authors are clear that many of their thoughts are based on unproven speculation and theory, the core of the book makes sense and certainly did not negatively impact our bonding with our son.

    We know now that the unborn child thinks, feels and hears. Smoking, drinking, drugs, food, sounds and emotions of the mother all affect the health and well-being of the unborn child. The mother and child share experiences, stress, anxiety, peace, harmony and joy. Her physiological by-products of those experiences are communicated across the placental barrier. The child hears the father and is soothed or alarmed by the tone and volume of that communication as well as the way the mother processes her responses.

    The authors put forth serious theories that may or may not actually have a positive or negative affect on the roots of the way a child develops, perceives life, learns, bonds, socializes and lives his or her life.

    Up-to-date books of this nature should be read and studied in school to teach people the importance of their habits and actions on the unborn child and toddlers. This book is especially useful to those planning a family, deciding on the doctor, and birthing atmosphere and those who are interested in child development and health.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Rosella Aparicio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    From the moment I opened the book I was hooked. The book makes very interesting links where an individual's personality, thoughts and memories begin in the womb.. to the extent the womb experience contributes to his/her adult personality, characteristics and traits. The percentages given are not so massive to the point you would find these links in huge amounts across many people that engage in questionable adult behavior (or lack of) but instead these create a baseline for the beginnings of human life. These links directly show the fragility and yet sophistication possibly found across all new life.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars It helps to give an understanding of your child’s needs before birth .
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A wonderful book with an interesting theory . This is the third copy of this book I have bought . I lend it out and it
    Has nit been returned .
    This one is mine and is not to share. Read when you first become pregnant . It will help you build a relationship with your child before birth. Helps underst
    Report
  • Beth
    4.0 out of 5 stars open window
    Reviewed in Italy on September 27, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    As I wrote in the title, this is a book that opens: it opens the reader's eyes, it lifts up a curtain. The secret world that goes on within the womb before the arrival into the light. It is the result of a specialized research that every reader can approach thanks to the help of the author. I give everyone who wants to understand our humanhood an advice: read this book, since life has deep roots. Thank you Mr Verny
    Report
  • Pooja
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good research
    Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Nice book. Gives me another perspective based on real facts. Love it..
    Report
  • HonestReview
    5.0 out of 5 stars must read for everyone, especially youngsters..
    Reviewed in India on September 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A fantastic book not just for young parents and prospective parents, but also for understanding yourself. Amazing work... have suggested to a lot of my young friends n psychologists. In India, pregnant women are generally pampered with sweets n snacks by not just the close family, but also distant relatives, friends, neighbours, and even petty vendors who come home to sell vegetables n fruits. Relatives used to enquire what the woman's present tastes are and accordingly prepare stuff and give her. All in all, everyone tries to keep the woman in good mood all the time. And also, she is asked to read religious texts, and listen to soothing classical music. No exposure whatsoever to violent stuff. Now I realize the reasons for all of these.
    Report
  • Janet D. Gray
    5.0 out of 5 stars A marvellous insight into the hidden life of your babe
    Reviewed in Canada on June 21, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of my absolute favourite books. I have given it away many times to new moms. The insights into the development of that new
    babe are so marvellous. Again reminding us we are fearfully and wonderfully made!
    Report