Garbh Sanskar is believed to shape a child's development in the womb through diet, music, meditation and positive thinking. Infertility specialist Dr Sankalp Jain believes it can improve IQ and brain function, but does science support these claims?Garbh sanskar explained: What tradition says and what science knowsNew Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 08:30 ISTGarbh Sanskar, which roughly translates to “education of the womb”, is built around a simple belief: a child's development begins long before birth.
Once passed down through families and elders, the practice is now being offered through classes, books, apps and dedicated centres. But can it really influence a baby's intelligence and brain development?Dr Sankalp Jain, an infertility specialist who has been running an IVF centre for around a decade, believes Garbh Sanskar and fertility yoga deserve a place in the journey of every child being born.Speaking on a podcast, he said the practices could help improve a child's IQ, brain function and overall insight.
He also pointed out that many people are already following the practice and that trained practitioners are helping spread awareness. His larger ambition is to see Garbh Sanskar become a mass practice.
But while the idea has traditional roots, its claims about a child's intelligence need to be examined alongside what modern science actually tells us.WHAT IS GARBH SANSKAR?Garbh means womb, while Sanskar refers to refinement and the shaping of character and values. Together, Garbh Sanskar reflects the belief that a child's upbringing begins in the womb, with the mother's physical, emotional and mental well-being playing an important role.
The practice typically involves a combination of healthy eating, light yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, prayer, chanting, listening to calming music, reading and talking to the unborn baby, a practice known as garbh sanwaad.It is generally followed across three stages: preparing the couple's body and mind before conception, maintaining a positive state of mind around conception, and following a healthy routine during pregnancy.A 2023 review published in the International Journal of Herbal Medicine explains the underlying philosophy through an analogy: milk becomes curd, curd becomes butter, and butter becomes ghee. In the same way, the tradition suggests that the right influences, introduced at the right time, can help shape a developing child.The idea is not new.
Stories of mothers reading scriptures or exposing their unborn children to positive influences have long been associated with the tradition. However, these stories illustrate cultural beliefs rather than prove that prenatal practices can increase intelligence.CAN GARBH SANSKAR IMPROVE A BABY'S BRAIN DEVELOPMENT?Research does establish that a mother's health and well-being matter during pregnancy.
Nutrition, adequate rest, appropriate physical activity and emotional support are important parts of antenatal care. Prolonged stress during pregnancy has also been associated with certain emotional and developmental difficulties in children.This is where some Garbh Sanskar practices may have value.
Meditation, breathing exercises, prayer and calming music can help some pregnant women relax. A nourishing diet and gentle movement, when medically appropriate, can also support maternal well-being.However, evidence that these habits support a healthy pregnancy is not the same as evidence that Garbh Sanskar directly increases a baby's IQ.There is currently no strong scientific evidence establishing that listening to mantras, reading to the womb or following a particular prenatal ritual makes a child more intelligent.Music provides a useful example.
During the second half of pregnancy, babies can respond to sounds, and research suggests newborns may recognise familiar voices or music they heard before birth. But recognising a familiar sound does not necessarily translate into better intelligence or improved cognitive abilities.Similarly, the popular belief that classical music makes babies smarter is often linked to the so-called Mozart effect.
The original research reported a temporary improvement in certain spatial reasoning tasks among students, not an increase in the intelligence of babies exposed to music in the womb.Music, reading and talking to the unborn baby can still be meaningful experiences for parents. Their value does not have to depend on whether they raise a child's IQ.
SHOULD GARBH SANSKAR BECOME A MASS PRACTICE?Dr Jain's call to make Garbh Sanskar more widely accessible brings the focus back to what expecting parents need during pregnancy.Practices that encourage healthier routines, relaxation and family involvement may be useful additions to pregnancy care. They can also give couples a structured way to participate in the pregnancy journey.However, wider adoption should not mean promoting unproven promises about a child's intelligence or encouraging parents to believe that every thought, meal or activity will determine their baby's future.Pregnancy is influenced by multiple factors, many of which are beyond a parent's control.
The emphasis should remain on balanced nutrition, appropriate exercise, emotional support and regular antenatal check-ups.Expecting parents can incorporate meditation, prayer, music or talking to their baby if these activities bring them comfort. They should also be cautious of expensive programmes promising guaranteed outcomes, and avoid any advice that encourages them to skip medical tests, scans or prescribed treatment.- Ends