Can a baby see inside the womb?

While a baby in the womb does not have the ability to see in the traditional sense, it does experience light perception. Here's what current scientific research suggests:

Photoreceptors and Eye Development: During the early stages of pregnancy, the fetus begins to develop photoreceptors in the eyes. These photoreceptors, called rods and cones, are responsible for detecting light and sending signals to the brain. They start developing as early as 16-18 weeks of gestation.

Light Perception: Studies have shown that fetuses can sense the difference between light and darkness from as early as 20-24 weeks of pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the fetus becomes increasingly sensitive to light. However, it's important to note that the developing eyes are still immature, and the fetus doesn't have complete visual perception like a newborn or an adult.

Light Source: The light reaching the fetus within the womb comes from the external environment, such as the mother's abdomen or from external sources like a bright room. The amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus allows light to pass through, although the images perceived would be blurry and distorted due to the layers of tissue and fluid between the fetus and the light source.

Eyelid Closure: The eyelids of the fetus remain closed throughout most of the gestation period. It is only near the end of pregnancy, around 28 weeks, that the eyelids begin to separate and the fetus can start experiencing open-eye periods.

Visual Stimulation: Researchers have conducted experiments using external light sources to study fetal responses. In these studies, bright light exposure triggered increased heart rate and changes in fetal movements, indicating that the fetus can perceive and respond to light stimuli.

In summary, while a baby cannot see inside the womb in the same way that a newborn can, there is evidence that fetuses experience light perception, detect light changes, and respond to external light stimuli from around 20-24 weeks of gestation.