a psycho-aesthetic immersive experience into the prenatal and perinatal phase of life

about

Our “first impression” of life occurs before the time of birth, while we are still inside the womb. Inside this magical incubator within our mother, we develop the foundation of our psyche, nervous system, and emotional container as we directly receive the physical, emotional, and psychological influences of our mother. This primary environment inside our mother’s womb is where we encounter our “first impression” of the world, of life.

1st Impression aims to shed light on the critical impact of prenatal environments on an individual’s development—psychologically, physically, and emotionally.

The immersive experience uses 4-sense immersion to elicit a robust psycho-aesthetic experience. Participants are invited into a sensory-rich reenactment of life’s first environment, fostering an intimate connection with their earliest experiences.

This initiative aims to cultivate empathy for diverse beginnings, underscores the importance of supporting expectant mothers, and clarifies how early life impacts personality formation, nervous system development, and cognitive functions.

impact

1st Impression aims to elicit deeper awareness of the importance of: 1. the attachment dynamic between child and caregiver, 2. the support system around the mother, 3. the mother’s orientation towards the child before conception, during pregnancy, and after birth, 4. and the mother’s own childhood experiences.

The project’s essence lies in its capacity to stimulate a deep, introspective journey into how the conditions encountered before birth lay the groundwork for life’s path and influence familial patterns across generations. It addresses the crucial need for understanding the dynamics between prenatal and perinatal experiences and their role in shaping resilience, susceptibility to stressors, nervous system and emotional regulation patterns, intergenerational influences, the mother’s childhood experiences, attachment patterns and birth trauma, and the crucial epigenetic and environmental influences throughout the formative years of life.

The benefits of such an immersive experience lies in its ability to foster a whole-person, sensory-rich, fully-embodied experience that can bring otherwise complex or mundane concepts to life.

The mental health and psychosocial benefits are abundant. 1st Impression raises awareness of one of the most fundamental human experiences through the universal language of art. It helps reduce barriers to accessing mental health, prenatal, and perinatal education (especially for historically underserved or under-represented communities) through a robust opportunity for deep learning and psycho-aesthetic inspiration.

incorporated themes

• the mother-infant dyad
• risk vs. resilience factors
• nervous system and emotional regulation patterns
• intergenerational influences
• the impact of the mother’s childhood experiences on her orientation towards her child before, during, and after birth
• birth trauma
• attachment patterns
• epigenetic and environmental influences before, during, and after birth
  
  

how the ideas are expressed

• Soundscapes, Music, and Video
• Colored and Strobing Light
• Environmental Aesthetics/Decor
• Texture/Tactile quality of Womb
• Scents/Olfactory Stimuli
  
  

relevant research

Overall Impact of Infant-Mother Dyad

Monk, C., et al (2018). Dyadic intervention during pregnancy? Treating pregnant women and possibly reaching the future baby

Lukesch, M. (1975). Psychologie faktoren der schwangerschaft.

Risk vs Resilience

Sandman, C., et al. (2011). Exposure to prenatal psychobiological stress exerts programming influences on the mother and her fetus.

Walsh K, et al. (2019). Maternal prenatal stress phenotypes associated with fetal neurodevelopment and birth outcomes.

*In a study of over 1,300 children and families it was found that women in stormy marriages ran a 237% greater risk of bearing a psychologically or physically damaged child in comparison to women in secure, nurturing relationships. Unhappy marriages produce infants who were five times more fearful and jumpy.

Epigenetic and Environmental Influences after birth

Froukje, B., Broekman, P. (2011). Stress, vulnerability and resilience, a developmental approach

Intergenerational Impact

Davis, E., Narayan, Angela. (2021). Pregnancy as a period of risk, adaptation, and resilience for mothers and infants

Cortizo R, et al. (2020). Prenatal broken bonds: Trauma, dissociation and the calming womb model.

Birth Trauma, Mother’s Attitude, and Attachment Factors

Gillath O, et al. (2018). Birth status and adult attachment.

Joas J, et al. (2021). Maternal bonding in early infancy predicts children’s social competences in preschool age.