Study Finds Health Care Providers’ Words During Prenatal Visits Shape How Parents See Their Children

May 18, 2025 – The language used by health care providers during prenatal care visits may have a lasting impact on how parents perceive their children, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University and the University of Notre Dame. The findings, published in Communications Psychology, suggest that even seemingly casual remarks made during ultrasounds or check-ups can influence parental expectations and, potentially, child development.

The Power of Words in Prenatal Care

Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, with parents forming mental images of their future children. Dr. Kathryn L. Humphreys, associate professor at Vanderbilt and senior author of the study, noted that many expectant parents echoed comments from health care providers when describing their unborn babies. “These seemingly casual remarks appeared to stick with parents, and I wondered whether there may be a consequence for these comments in shaping beliefs and behaviors longer term,” Humphreys told Medical Xpress.

Two-Pronged Research Approach

The research team conducted two complementary studies to explore the effects of provider language:

• Study 1:
  320 pregnant women were asked to describe their baby’s personality in five words, noting whether these descriptions were influenced by health care providers. When the children reached 18 months, 173 of the participants were followed up to assess behavioral and emotional development. The study found that descriptions attributed to prenatal care visits were nearly three times more likely to be negative. Moreover, children described with more negative terms during pregnancy exhibited higher levels of behavioral and emotional difficulties as toddlers.

• Study 2:
  161 participants watched ultrasound videos with three different explanations for why a repeat scan was needed: one blaming the baby, one citing technical issues, and one focusing on strengthening the parent-child relationship. Those who heard the baby blamed were 23 times more likely to use negative descriptors than those given a relationship-focused explanation.

Implications for Prenatal Care

The results indicate that health care providers’ words can shape how parents view their children, with possible long-term consequences for child development. Dr. Humphreys suggests providers should avoid attributing negative personality traits to fetuses and instead focus on technical explanations or positive, relationship-building language.

The researchers hope their work will lead to new communication guidelines for prenatal care providers, fostering healthier parent-child relationships from the earliest stages.

What’s Next?

The research team is expanding their studies to include both mothers and fathers, aiming to replicate and extend their findings. They also plan to collaborate with sonographers and other prenatal health professionals to develop best practices for communication, and to conduct long-term follow-ups on the impact of early perceptions.

Disclaimer:
This article summarizes findings from a recent scientific study and is intended for informational purposes only. The research does not imply direct causation, and individual experiences may vary. For medical advice or concerns regarding prenatal care, always consult a qualified health care professional.

Source: “The words of health care providers during prenatal care visits can influence how parents see their children,” Medical Xpress, May 16, 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s44271-025-00256-z