Maternal Bonding in Early Fetal Ultrasound Examinations

WE have recently seen two cases in which women in the late first or early second trimester of pregnancy reported feelings and thoughts clearly indicating a bond of loyalty toward the fetus that we and others1 had associated only with a later stage of fetal development. We were impressed with the potential importance of many other similar events. We report these cases and our reflections to encourage more systematic study of two questions: Does parental viewing of the early fetus (before "quickening") by means of ultrasound imaging accelerate bonding with the fetus? If so, what are the medical, emotional, and . . .