J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2013 Dec;24(4):183-190.

Is It Possible to Prove the Effect of Prenatal Education, 'Taegyo'?

• Kim SJ
• Lee YJ
• Hong M
• Moon DS
• Bahn GH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
'Taegyo,' prenatal education, is steeped into Korean culture. Although there has been a traditional focus on providing education and care for the fetus in Korea, there is a lack of medical evidence for its effectiveness.
METHODS
The authors assessed the scientific basis for 'Taegyo' by reviewing the evidences.
RESULTS
'Taegyo' in Korea began with the spread of Buddhist culture from China, and transmitted by word-of-mouth. The first 'Taegyo' book, the Tae-gyo-shin-gi, was published on 1803. Modern prenatal education is very diverse. However, only a few studies on its effect have been conducted. Development of medicine, especially obstetrics, fetology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and etc., has learned that many factors, including bad environmental conditions and maternal stress, influenced against the fetus and mother. As for the paternal side, occupation, smoking, and stress were also revealed to have consequences for the development of the fetus. On the contrary, adequate maternal nutrition, exercise, and music stimulation positively impact the fetal development and healthy birth.
CONCLUSION
Traditional contents of 'Taegyo' were proved to have effectiveness from evidence-based medicine and animal experiments. We need further studies to explore the impact of prenatal education for the fetal development and maternal health.

Keyword

Prenatal Care; Psychological Stress; Pregnant Women; Fetus

MeSH Terms

Animal Experimentation
China
Education
Evidence-Based Medicine
Female
Fetal Development
Fetus
Humans
Korea
Maternal Health
Mothers
Music
Obstetrics
Occupations
Parturition
Pediatrics
Pregnant Women
Prenatal Care
Prenatal Education*
Smoke
Smoking
Stress, Psychological
Smoke