Background Human development is already influenced by external factors in utero. During this vulnerable period, developmental origins of health and disease emerge, with maternal metabolism playing a central role. Scope of review In this article, studies that examine the influence of maternal parameters related to metabolism on fetal development of the central and autonomous nervous system are summarized. Conclusion Maternal factors during pregnancy (weight gain, insulin sensitivity, gestational diabetes) and before pregnancy (body mass index, preconceptional diabetes) can influence a number of fetal factors, like postprandial brain activity in response to stimulation, spontaneous brain activity, fetal heart rate, and fetal postprandial heart rate variability.