Abstract

This research explores the manner in which images for visualizing the fetal stage initiate a cognitive loop that molds our perception of the prenatal environment and, concurrently, influences reproductive habits. From an examination of medical illustrations dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries – a seminal period marked by the medicalization of pregnancy – the study investigates the transformative process wherein fetal imagery not only singularizes the fetus into an icon but also disembodies women from the pregnancy experience. Furthermore, delving into the contemporary landscape, the research probes into the enduring influence of this historical iconization on modern AI-assisted imaging datasets, scrutinizing their role in shaping contemporary habits on human reproducibility. Ultimately, the investigation sheds insights on how fetal imagery, facilitated by advanced visualization technologies, navigates the realms of both visual replicability and biological reproduction.