Reading to your unborn baby

[Avanaar]

I've been dying to start reading to the baby ...I had done it in my first pregnancy fairly early, but held off in this one.  After doing some research I found out babies don't really start 'actively' listening until 16 weeks (well, one source says 16, another 18, another 20 ...I don't know which one's right!).  Has anyone talked to their doctor about when babies can start hearing in the womb?  I read they can hear certain sounds as early as 8 weeks, but their ears don't fully develop until the 2nd trimester.

I know the baby can't understand what I'm reading, so it's not like if I started reading my husband's book to the baby now and she started hearing in a few weeks it would make a difference.  What do you ladies think/do in regards to reading to your baby?

[aabarnett]

We have been reading, singing, talking to, and playing with the baby ever since the 15th week.  That is when my doc said that the baby can start hearing distinguished sounds and that the more she hears our voices, the more they will sooth her.  It must be true because whenever my 3 yr old talks to her baby sister, the baby goes nuts.  I'm at 27 weeks now and Nevada (3 yr old) is constantly talking to her.  She says she's teaching her =D.  London (baby) really does respond to either Nevada's or my voices.  She also likes to kick, jab, punch, head butt, etc Nevada or my hands when we put them on my belly.  The baby is starting to be able to see light and dark now so we also play flashlight with her.  I know it all sounds strange but it gets Nevada involved with the baby and gives them a conection.  I gotta confess, I am also constantly talking, singing, and rubbing the baby too =D.  So, I say go ahead and bond with your baby, it can't hurt, it can only help and sooth your baby.