Do Babies' Tendencies in the Womb Predict Future Behavior?

Every woman has heard the saying, "Every pregnancy is different." That may or may not be true. I think what they mean to say is, "Every baby is different," because that is certainly true. Even as a fetus merely 30-some weeks old or younger, your baby is developing and preparing for the outside world. Mom's will also say one of their babies were more active than the other or that labor went different. My question is: Does the activity level of an unborn baby have anything to do with his or her future personality?

I say yes though I am no scientist or psychologist. I'm just a mom. I was pregnant with my first baby in 2007, we didn't find out the gender and he turned out to be a boy. He was one active baby, let me just say! At the time I was working full-time and when I was sitting down on lunch break my belly would jiggle and move so much is looked and felt like there was an earthquake going on in there! I was sure everyone in the cafeteria would notice it from a mile away.

I would endure kicks to my ribs, what sometimes felt like flip flops and all kinds of squiggling. While many times these movements were uncomfortable, it did reassure me that the baby was healthy. My second pregnancy was in 2009 and I had a baby girl. She was entirely different to carry for nine months. I kept expecting to get feet up in the ribs, but she kindly did not do that to me.

Her gender was also left a surprise, but I could tell she was different even on the ultrasound. My son kicked and stretched during his and she simply wiggled and waved a dainty hand up at us. She was very mild the entire pregnancy. I felt bumps and kicks frequently and the doctor claimed she was "active," but I knew this baby was nothing in comparison to my earthquake son I'd delivered. Each movement was a reassurance however.

The interesting part came after both births. My son is full of energy, very active and sensitive. He needs a lot more attention and discipline. He is a joy to be around and will probably be a good athlete and comedian, but just he was as an unborn baby, he is like a tornado or earthquake- especially at age two.

My daughter may only be a few months old, but I can already tell she is different from my boy when he was a baby. She is so mellow and easygoing! She does not cry much and doesn't mind sleeping in her own bed. My son would scream as soon as his back touched the mattress in his crib. She has times when she is active, but it's not the same crazy energy my son exudes. I'd say she brings good balance to our home. I don't know what I'd do if I had another one like my boy.

So, from this mom's opinion and many others who've noticed the same things, I'd say there is a definite correlation between unborn baby's activity level and future personality.