Why Can't We Remember Being in the Womb?

[Shakir]

I was wondering why we can not remember any memories of being in the womb?

 

[Bandersnatch]

Because the parts of the brain responsible for conscious memory are not yet fully developed (and won't be until a few months after birth).

 

[OmCheeto]

I was wondering why we can not remember any memories of being in the womb?

For me, it was a pretty uneventful time of my life. All I can remember is things being kind of mushy, and my fingers felt thick. Other than that, nada.

[edit: ps. It was also kind of like Florida. A bit on the "too warm" side, and incredible humidity.]

 

[OmCheeto]

On a more serious side note, I blame mom on me not remembering anything more:

When Does Consciousness Arise in Human Babies?

...What is fascinating is the discovery that the fetus is actively sedated by the low oxygen pressure (equivalent to that at the top of Mount Everest), the warm and cushioned uterine environment and a range of neuroinhibitory and sleep-inducing substances produced by the placenta and the fetus itself: adenosine; two steroidal anesthetics, allopregnanolone and pregnanolone; one potent hormone, prostaglandin D2; and others. The role of the placenta in maintaining sedation
... In late gestation the fetus is in one of these two sleep states 95 percent of the time, separated by brief transitions.​

Probably a good idea. Had I woken up for more than a brief moment, I would have been shouting and kicking; "How long do you expect me to hold my breath in here! Hello!". At which point, I would have drowned.

hmmm...
Thanks mom!

 

[atyy]

http://learnmem.cshlp.org/content/19/9/423.full
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24812394

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27428652

 

[phyzguy]

Most people's earliest memories start when they are 2-3 years old. The brain is simply not well enough developed before then to lay down long term memories.

 

[rootone]

My own earliest memory is around age 3.
My mother had to go do some work, (I think it was in a nearby confectionery factory), just a few hours for not bad pay.
I was left with an 'auntie jean' (next door nieghbor in fact).
It went OK mainly, but I absolutely refused to change into fresh clothes, Auntie Jean was not my Mum! ( but she was OK about it)

 

[Evo]

Because the parts of the brain responsible for conscious memory are not yet fully developed (and won't be until a few months after birth).

Most people's earliest memories start when they are 2-3 years old. The brain is simply not well enough developed before then to lay down long term memories.

I think this is the best we can do at the moment, so thread is closed.