Not to throw cold water, but babies don’t smile about anything until they are 8-12 weeks old. They might make a smile like face when they have gas. As sweet as it is to imagine, I don’t think a baby is more apt to smile because it is pleased before birth than in the two months after birth.
I could be wrong. It happens.
So, is your point that if you were to take a fetus and slowly start crushing its feet, then removing its legs, then its arms, and then crush its body before finally crushing its head, it would feel no pain?
Also consider this possibility - according to this documentary, they have been seen moving to music as well, which they would not be able to do after birth for a number of months. It's possible that in their watery environment it's easier to move and respond and they have to adapt to the air after birth.
Just some thoughts....
Not to throw cold water, but babies don’t smile about anything until they are 8-12 weeks old. They might make a smile like face when they have gas. As sweet as it is to imagine, I don’t think a baby is more apt to smile because it is pleased before birth than in the two months after birth.
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Do you make a smile-like face when you have gas?
What many people don't realize is that the babies are already here - it's just a thin veil of flesh that separates them from us.
I think you are wrong about the smiling. Perhaps what you are referring to is a conscious reaction that results in a smile, but infants smile while sleeping which is proof that something they are dreaming about is causing a reaction. Of course almost all new fathers say their sons are dreaming of boobies...