Fetal learning and memory

We used fetal habituation to repeated vibroacoustic stimulation to assess fetal memory. After the initial stimulus, we assessed the fetuses 10 min later and again after 24 h. 16 of 19 fetuses habituated rapidly to the stimuli at 10 min (p=0·004) and 24 h (p=0·042) after the initial test. We conclude, therefore, that fetuses are able to learn: they have a short-term memory of at least 10 min, and a long-term memory of at least 24 h.