Pregnancy is an exciting experience that shifts a person’s sense of self, relationships, and outlook on life. From the initial thrill of expecting a baby to the deeper emotional connection that develops during pregnancy, these experiences can profoundly shape one’s identity as a parent.
In a recent conversation with Vogue India, Kiara Advani opened up about the joys of motherhood, and enjoying the highs and lows pregnancy with her “hands on” husband Sidharth Malhotra by her side. During the interview, the War 2 actor revealed that she had been filming for seven months during her pregnancy, a fact known only to her director and producer.
During emotionally intense scenes, she would sneak into her vanity van’s bathroom, caress her bump and whisper, “Mama is only acting, okay? This isn’t real.” Sharing how it became a grounding ritual and a bridge between the emotional intensity of her role and the inner calm she wanted for her baby, Advani also expressed gratitude for the support systems in her life.
Role of mother-baby bond
According to Dr Rimpa Sarkar, clinical psychologist and founder of Sentier Wellness, the bond between a mother and her child often begins long before birth. Emotionally, many women start connecting with their baby the moment they become aware of the pregnancy.
Quoting research in prenatal psychology, she shared that a mother’s emotional state influences her nervous system, which in turn affects the developing fetus. When a mother experiences calm, reassurance, or emotional grounding, those signals of safety are also transmitted to the baby.
As Advani mentioned in the interview, consciously talking to or emotionally acknowledging the unborn child can act as a powerful grounding ritual. “In moments of stress or emotional intensity, this kind of self-soothing helps regulate the mother’s nervous system and creates a sense of emotional safety. It works much like mindfulness or affirmation practices that helps the mind shift from overwhelm to stability,” explained Dr Sarkar, adding that for many women, this emotional dialogue becomes a way to cope, especially when external environments feel demanding or unpredictable.
Mother’s emotional state influences her nervous system, which in turn affects the developing foetus. (Source: Instagram/@kiaraaliaadvani)
Express freely
Suppressing emotions during pregnancy is often misunderstood as being ‘strong,’ but emotional awareness is far healthier. Dr Sarkar shared that acknowledging feelings rather than pushing them away can support emotional regulation and reduces internal stress. In fact, maternal stress levels and emotional regulation can influence a baby’s stress response system, making emotional care during pregnancy an important foundation for long-term well-being, she added.
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This kind of emotional attunement goes beyond physical care. It reflects an early form of parenting where compassion, presence, and self-awareness become the building blocks of connection. “When mothers allow themselves emotional gentleness and self-compassion during pregnancy, it not only supports their mental health but also nurtures a deeper sense of safety and bonding that continues well beyond birth,” she said.
Pratibha Singhal, Director and Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cloudnine Hospital, suggested the following tips to improve the mother-baby bond:
1. Talk to your baby
A foetus is able to hear by the 18th week of pregnancy, and is able to recognise voices by the 22-24th week of pregnancy. The mother should start talking to her unborn baby, who will then acknowledge it by increasing the foetal movements. It is important for every pregnant woman to converse with her unborn baby from the 20th week or roughly five months of pregnancy.
2. Caress your bump
Whenever the pregnant lady is relaxing, she should rotate her palm gently over her bump. The baby gets positive vibes through this. The foetus feels relaxed and responds through movements.
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3. Sing to your unborn child
Singing has a similar affect on the unborn child, and is an effective way of bonding between the mother and the foetus.
4. Bonding with sibling
If the parents have an elder child, he or she should be explained about the unborn sibling. The elder child should be made to feel the fetal movement
5. Exercise
Yoga, pranayama and other light exercises are recommended for all pregnant women. This increases blood circulation in the uterus, making the unborn baby feel relaxed while helping in its development. Other physical activities such as walking and swimming also foster the baby’s growth.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
