As a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero? What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
As a music therapist, it’s incredibly important to be aware of sensory perception in utero. Sounds outside of the womb affect the baby inside the womb. A baby can become frightened by loud sounds. A baby can breathe in time with a rhythm. A baby can hear low tones better than high tones. Because we know these facts, music therapists should be careful to choose music that would not frighten or agitate the baby. It’s also important to keep in mind that the baby could potentially start breathing in time with the music being played. The baby inside of the mother is real, has feelings and emotions, and should be treated accordingly.
Yes Katie that is so rue. Babies can be startled and frightened by loud sounds. There have been some studies about babies in utero exposed to fighting and domestic violence. http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/domestic-abuse-may-affect-children-in-womb/ Yes it is very important to use music that is soothing and not over stimulatory. I always caution mothers about attending rock concerts during pregnancy. And I always tell people NEVER put headphones on the belly during pregnancy.
A Music therapist must be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero to understand what information the baby is receiving and how they are receiving it. We must know when the hearing is developed and that the baby can be affected even sooner in utero as he can respond to stimuli even before the ear is fully developed at 24 weeks. Studies in Ireland show the fetus responding to sound as early as 14 -weeks gestation. It is also important to know how sounds travel to the baby. Vowels are lower in pitch than consonants so the baby will only hear the melody of speech and It is said that music is less distorted than speech as it reaches the fetus. A mother’s voice may be heard first at around 250 hertz and outside sounds are reduced by twenty decibels.
It is important for us to be aware of the sensory perceptions of the baby in utero so that we are able to help, not harm, the developing baby and baby/mother relationship. We need to be aware of what sounds are beneficial to the baby. Low tones and vowels are more easily heard. Loud, sudden, or fast tempo music and sounds can frighten and excite the baby in utero. We know that the mothers voice is the most easily heard and most comforting to the baby, so helping and encouraging the mother to sing would be very calming and comforting for the baby. Also being aware of which composers have a calming effect versus which ones have an exciting/disturbing effect is important to keep in mind. Studies have shown that Vivaldi and Mozart had a calming effect, while Brahms and Beethoven had the opposite effect on babies in the womb. Being aware of all these things also equips us to better serve the mother and help give her tools to connect with, comfort, and nurture her baby even inside the womb.
Yes- just say no to rock concerts when you are pregnant! Yes Mozart is calming because of the form and the repetition. Brahms and Beethoven can be dark and brooding; also many abrupt changes in dynamics. Choose wisely when listening prenatally.
I was at a breakfast with Santa event with my kids this weekend and I overheard a women talking to a guy about a Fleetwood Mac concert she attended the night before. The women seemed to be toward the end of her pregnancy. The guy asked her how the baby liked the concert. She told him she had to sit down during the concert because she was experiencing contractions. What you wrote above popped into my head "Just say no to rock concerts when you are pregnant!" :)
I went to a spin class the other day, and couldn't help but feel guilty the entire time at the amount of noise I was exposing this little guy too. Holy moly.
I have read journal articles about scientists producing movement in fetuses from the womb. The authors did this by applying a sound source to the outside of the womb. The conclusion was that the louder the sound source, the more movement you get from the fetus. Since the 50s, we have learned that the jerking movement they produced in the fetus could possibly be a reaction to pain from too much sound input. If the authors of that article had known about the sensory perception of the child in utero, they may have understood the dangers of the procedure and interpreted the results differently. As music therapists, we need to be extremely sensitive to the volume of the music that we use whether live or recorded. We should also advocate for the fetus by making sure the mother knows about applying sound sources to her womb and how that can amplify the sound beyond a safe threshold for the fetus.
Hi to all, sorry for my late answers but last two months were hectic one but let s start with first week. Just to mention that English is not my language and maybe I will make some gramatical mistakes. As a music therapist it is very important to consider and to be aware and to talk (a lot) about babies sensory perception in utero as well as moms feelings, projections, music tastes, beliefs…. as well. First of all, if I am not quite sure (at least here in Serbia) how many new moms are aware that baby can hear, feel.. inside. Last month I had one of my educational lectures about infant massage and musical baby bonding with pregnant mom (and dads) and at the beginning I asked mothers: “Are you singing to your babies?” In a group of 50 people, just 1 mom said that she does, other was laughing, looked at me probably thinking what she is talking about…. Therefore I think (as a music therapist and educator) that education should have to be first step considering fetal sensory perception. I hope that, in that case, many, or let say, few of them, will take our profession and services as important and informative. Second, as a music therapist it is important to be also educated how, when, how much ….of sound, voice, music is “good enough”. That education should have to include many facts that my colleges already mention during this training (volume of sound, baby sensory development, mothers musical preferences to be considered and, sure, our support there …. As far as I am concerned much live music (mother voice) then recorded one
Yes Nana- live music (mother's voice) is preferential because of the vibration of the sound in the mother's bones the baby experiences the sound physically as well. I can't believe that only 1 mom was singing to her baby prenatally, it seems so natural right? We need to help the mothers understand how important this is. :)
So when considering sensory stimulation in utero, the most obvious (and best for us) is sound! We know that babies hear so much in utero, so it's so important that we bring in sounds that are nurturing and positive. With that, we also need to consider the volume, timbre, etc. that we are exposing baby to.
As music therapists considering sensory stimulation, we need to be aware of sound. Specifically, we want to remember that babies hear low tones better. As music therapists, we should pick lower keys when working with mother and babies in utero. We should also use vowels more frequently in our music selection, as fetuses hear vowels more clearly. We should avoid loud sounds and fast tempo that appears suddenly. As music therapists, we also need to be aware of the mother's sensory needs and the changes in her body. Finally, as the fetus develops, it will be more sensitive to touch and its surroundings environment. If we use touch in our interventions, we should be aware of the fetus's positioning and how babies react to touch, especially in the third trimester
Thanks for pointing out that we need to consider mom's sensory needs too! I think expecting women have excellent intuition and what mom wants or doesn't want probably has a lot to do with what is best for baby too. Also, mom is our client too!
Yes and singing emphasizes the vowels for babies. Thanks for mentioning that! Also you are right, the sensory needs of the mother are so important because if the mother is overstimulated this can cause her body to be flooded with cortisol which will affect the baby. Often women experience heightened levels of hormones as the body prepares for birth, particularly epinephrine and norepineprhine. These are the fight or flight hormones. We need to use music to help mom and baby feel calm and safe and music can do that beautifully. Using soft, slow songs with touching words will also support the stimulation of prolactin which is the hormone of mothering necessary for bonding.
Understating the sensory perception of a child in utero is at the center of responsibly working with pregnant women. Music therapists must understand what baby can hear and when. We can use our knowledge that baby can first hear 250-500hz to encouraging bonding with mom, and eventually with dad. Engaging with parents can encourage the baby to begin actively listening instead of just hearing. Relationship formed in utero can be carried into the wide world for babies! With that wonderful possibility comes responsibility to take the infant's safety and emotions into account. Music should be calming and carefully chosen not to startle or scare. Music therapist can encourage mamas to use other sensory interventions to bond with baby, especially touch! Babies have demonstrated facial reactions to touch as early as 7 weeks post-conception (9 weeks in a typically dated pregnancy). We should also take into account what music mom and dad enjoy, and what kind of bond they want to cultivate with their baby. For instance, they may want to calm the baby, or play and encourage active awake stares.
A short personal story- I found out my sweet baby was breech at 34 weeks and would not flip before birth despite all my efforts! The midwife suggested I play music where I wanted his head to be, but he still didn't want to move. I am absolutely convinced it's because his head was exactly where my guitar rested on my belly! I think he liked the vibrations and hearing the music. Knowing now that sound is only decreased by 20db I hope it wasn't too loud!
Laura, I was thinking of the same effect on my first son! He was breech as well, but thankfully we were able to flip him around 34 weeks. At the time I was working in a school district with almost constant sessions throughout the day and therefore almost constant guitar playing. It wasn't exactly "calming"music! He was a very active child in utero and as an infant, and at the time (and now) I'm wondering if the exciting music had an effect on his activity and initially being breech.
How interesting, my baby was breech up until 35 weeks too! Maybe it's a music therapist thing because of the guitar playing and all the vibrations as mentioned?
Q: As a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero? What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
A: It is important to be aware because music therapy is meant to meet the individual at whatever stage of life and development they are in at the time of intervention. To work with mother and child means the therapist must be just as aware of the child's current sensory perceptive abilities and comfort levels as the mother. To be aware is essential to the most effective form of music therapy. To be ignorant would be unproductive and potentially harmful.
Significant factors to consider intervention include what stage of development the child is in (ex. would sensory play and vibrational techniques, using the mother's belly as a medium be effective? to include touch or not to!?Advanced sense of touch develops at approx. 16 weeks.) Another factor to consider is the child's comfort level (ex. does the child respond to touch favorably? pain receptors develop as touch does, so is the therapist and mother being mindful and aware of the child's responses?). Mother's comfort is equally as important, she must feel at ease with a pleasant rapport and feel in a safe space. The greater the comfort of the mother, the greater chance of the comfort of a child and the greater chance of successful intervention. These are just a few considerations needed and examples and arguably above all! the therapist must remember they are dealing with TWO individuals. while mother and child are greatly connected, they are two separate life forms with different personalities, comfort levels, needs and stages of development.
Yes it is important to remember that some women may feel self conscious at first. Helping her to feel safe and comfortable with the process of communicating with her baby is so important. Thanks for Christine for reminding us about that.
As a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero?
It is extremely important for several reasons. The most obvious being that we don't want to harm the child! We need to be using music and music modalities that are safe for both mother and baby, and not causing undue stress and anxiety. Another reason is so that we can understand the level of interaction we can have with the baby in utero, as well as how we can use music to facilitate that interaction. It is also important in order to support the mother and partner in their communication with their child and for working towards the child's wellbeing.
What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero? Not all music is safe, and some sounds can be very startling. Babies entrain to music too, so keep that in mind when choosing the material (BPM, complexity, message/emotion, predictability.) Don't forget about the baby, direct singing/music/speech are important both from the parents and the therapist. The mother's voice is preferred, and the child is building a relationship with the parent's, so in these settings it's good to be mindful not to take over, assuming instead more of a supportive role, guiding and offering suggestions.
As a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero? What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
As a soprano I and flutist, I was taken aback by the fact that lower sounds are heard better than higher sounds from the womb. This will force me to explore the lower range of my voice, flute if I use it, and the lower range of the guitar and piano. It's especially important to be aware of the sensory perception of a baby in utero because we are so far separated from that stage of life that there is so much room for harm. If we don't take the time to understand of the development of sensory perception in utero we could actually do harm with music/music therapy to the baby and the mother.
It is crucial to consider the mother/family's culture when working with a baby in utero. It's important not only to develop an understanding of their preferred music and what it musically meaningful to them, but also to consider the cultural implications of pregnancy, birth, and the beginning of life.
It's important to consider the range, complexity, and tempo when making stylistic choices for music as well.
Use we must use slow, gentle, low tones when initially communicating with baby in utero. We do not want to cause a startle or fear response with music that is overstimulating. I often caution parents who plan to go to rock concerts.
As a music therapist, it is important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero so we know how to effectively and safely work with this population. We can use our knowledge of the baby's development and preferences to maximize the positive effects for Baby and family. In particular, taking note of the senses for hearing, touch, and emotional/stress reactions.
That said, I would make the following considerations in those areas. For hearing, being careful to avoid loud or startling music, knowing the timeline for the development of hearing and responses to sounds and vibrations (14-24 weeks), and recognizing that babies prefer their mother's voice (and father's voice comes soon after). As someone mentioned, I would encourage and reassure her that her voice is the best and give her the support and confidence to sing to her little one, perhaps by learning a lovely lullaby that she (and Dad) can continue at home. For touch, encouraging nurturing touch and teaching the parents about the development in this area. And for emotional health, I believe the key here is addressing Mom's needs. Babies in utero respond to Mom's stress as seen in their own elevated heart rates, release of stress hormones, and inactivity/hyperactivity. Helping mom through music-assisted breathing and relaxation would be beneficial here, as would be addressing any specific areas of worry, anxiety, or stress through any typical music therapy intervention.
As an MT-BC why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero?
As an MT-BC it is important to know developmentally where the fetus is at and what they are able to do to appropriately implement interventions that will meet them at the level they are at. If an activity is used before a certain sensory system is developed than the activity will have little to no effect. In essence we are making the interventions sensory developmentally appropriate. Knowing when sound develops, what frequencies are heard, preferred music, and things calm will help the fetus and eventually the baby. Also knowing when touch comes into play songs can be used such as the kick game to build that social connection between the fetus and mother.
What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
I think observing the comfort level of the mother, if she is feeling anxious than so will the fetus. Having a safe and supportive environment will help both of them. Having the mother also monitor changes in fetal movement. If a song is agitating them the fetus might communicate it by kicking or it could mean they enjoy it. The mother would have a better feel for it.
Yes we need to choose interventions that developmentally appropriate for the baby in utero. That is a very important consideration. Also monitoring changes in fetal movement by mother is a a good way to feedback on what her perception is of the baby's experience of the music. :)
As a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero?
As many people have already said, it is important to know the sensory perception of the child in utero for several reasons: 1. So we don't overstimulate the child 2. So we don't startle or create a fear response 3. So we can educate the parents on how to avoid overstimulating the child 4. So we can help the parents better bond with their child.
What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
Some considerations to be aware of are the mother and partner's preferred/cultural music, the volume of the music used, (educating parents not to put headphones on the belly!), and the emotional state of the mother. Providing opportunities for the mother to relax (without stressing her out about being stressed out) will also help the baby in utero.
Yes to all! These are the basic principles and considerations for prenatal music therapy. It would be a great idea to write these on a notecard and post them on a bulletin board in your work area as a reminder of what we do. :) Also this a great summary that could be reworded as bullet points for a webpage or brochure.
As music therapists, it’s important for us to consider all facets of the baby’s sensory perception in utero. As many posts have mentioned above, auditory perception comes to mind first when considering the types of stimulation that we may be providing for babies in the womb. It’s particularly important for us to be considering dB level, as loud noises may be distressing for the baby, as well as the mother. Making sure to focus our music around lower frequencies may help to ensure that the baby can in fact hear the music, as these frequencies are heard with more clarity in the womb.
Monitoring the baby’s responses - particularly any movement or lack thereof - will also be important in assessing the appropriateness of various levels of stimulation. An anecdote in Chapter 4 of Windows to the Womb caught my attention. A mother noticed that her baby kicked more in response to the lower notes of a song, but when he was older, the child indicated that he didn’t like the low notes in that same song. This is an important reminder for us that while kicking and other physical responses from the baby may be a sign of contentment or enjoyment, it can also be a sign of distress or overstimulation. It would be important for both therapist and parent to be aware of what these different responses feel like, and to be able to adjust stimulation accordingly.
Thank you for reminding us that kicking may be a sign of overstimulation. That is important to remember! Music should be soothing, gentle and developmentally appropriate for a developing baby in utero.
As a music therapist it is important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero because the fetus' development is impacted by the sounds it hears (can be positive or negative depending on timbre, pitch, intensity and rhythm). The hearing is the most keen sense while a baby is in utero and the fetus forms an important developmental component from prenatal sounds because prenatal sounds form a foundation for the baby to learn and behave in its environment after birth. The fetus is exposed to sounds from his mother as well as outside noises which he can use as information to learn the frequencies of language in his culture. It is also very important for Music Therapist's to be aware of sensory perception because of possibilities for over-stimulation and accelerating the heart beat which could lead to birth defects according to some research. The statement that stood out the most to me in my reading was from Giselle Whitwell's article, "The ultimate objective should be to help create not a musical genius but a person well integrated in his/her physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual self". I feel like music exposure for the fetus should be balanced, simple and soothing to help promote well-being, calmness, and steady heart beat.
Music Therapists should be aware of the effects of sound such as how lower tones are more audible to the baby and how words, vowels/consonants become melodic like music to a fetus. Also, an importance must be placed on the mother's impact on the fetus and how she plays one of the most important roles to the development of the fetus with her own sounds, words and lullabies. I am learning that it's possibly a big part of a Music Therapist's job to help work with the mom (and family as a whole) to develop a bond with the baby especially in utero to help shape the little human he or she will become and to foster well-being early on.
Yes it can be a positive or negative response depending on the qualities of sound. Mothers voice and language of the culture are most important during this time. Yes simole soothing music is what baby needs most. Nice summary!
As music therapists working in this area it is absolutely our number one priority (along with the safety of the mother), to be aware of the child’s sensory perceptions in utero. Whilst health professionals will be concerned with the safety and welfare of the child and mother, I feel that the same level of focus is not give to the child’s auditory perception and the impact that this may have on their well-being. We know that hearing is the most developed of all the senses before birth, yet it seems that medical professionals give little thought to the physiological and psychological impact this may have. Chronic noise has been associated with birth defects and although this is the extreme end of the scale, it is never the less proof of the impact sound can have and highlights the importance of our job as music therapists.
When working with mothers we need to consider several factors. Firstly, their emotional state and stress levels, as this is going to have a direct physiological impact on the unborn child. Any loud outbursts are not only going to be heard by the foetus, but also felt through vibrations. Studies have shown that when exposed to violent outbursts for example, the baby is startled in the same way as the mother, and also process physical sensations in the same way. It’s also extremely important to consider the decibel levels of sound the baby is regularly being exposed to in the womb, as chronic noise has been associated with birth defects. One study in Osaka found that women who lived near the airport had a greater incidence of premature babies and babies who were born with smaller birth weights. Noises that are familiar to newborn babies (such as intrauterine sounds), have been associated with not only calming newborns, but helping them to self-regulate, so this is something that definitely needs to be considered by music therapists and has great implications for the use of music during pregnancy. I think this is something that could really help promote the use and education of pre-natal music therapy, as it has such direct practical applications for every parent - who wouldn’t want a baby who cries less and is more easily calmed with such an easy and readily available tool?! It’s also important to factor in a mother’s preference for music and favourite sounds, as this is also going to have direct physiological impact on her body and that of the baby’s due to her emotional response. If positive listening experiences are repeated, it is likely that the baby will also have a positive listening experience after birth, as not only will they be able to recognise the sound/music, they are more likely to find it pleasurable and therefore relax, which will be so beneficial to both parents and baby in not only the first few hours and weeks of life. This also has such strong implications for assisting with bonding and promoting secure attachment between mother and child. The heart rate of the both the mother and child should also be clearly monitored and considered, as rhythm and heart rate can be so closely linked. Although this can potentially have amazing positive benefits, the negative also need to be taken into consideration as exposure to certain rhythms may increase heart rates to the point that it causes a rise in arterial pressure, which may cause severe complications. It is therefore important to know and understand heart rate patterns of both mother and child. In the second and third trimesters, the average heart rate for the unborn baby is between 120-160 bpm and given that the rhythm of a lot of music is faster than this, it is a very important element to consider. Conversely, consistent rhythms can help modify the heart rate in a positive way, such as helping to slow a racing heart beat when necessary. Newborns in neo-natal care have also been found to gain weight faster and have more regular and deeper breathing when listening to the sound of a heartbeat – such simple and important information to know, that can easily be utilised by parents. And just to finish, I love this quote : “… rhythm itself provides a most reassuring cradle because of its promise of repetition and continuity”, (W. Ernest Freud).
This was definitely eye opening. Until I read this research I wasn't aware that there were any studies about the emotional life of a fetus. Despite having been pregnant, I didn't actually realize how much interaction and emotional connection could be possible. That's exciting to consider as a music therapist working with pregnant women because music can be used as a tool to play and to bond. Considerations are that the baby loves to hear his mothers voice more than any other voice, so singing is a great tool--and they are sensitive to loud sounds so to be gentle with that aspect of music. Purposefully playing a certain kind of music while pregnant and then continuing that song after birth is a great way to build a relationship-even for fathers. And, it's interesting to think of the music I'm sure my mother played for me while she was pregnant--and why it really does feel like that music is genetically a part of me now.
As a music therapist it is very important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero. The fetus is keenly aware of the environment in which they are developing. Being aware of the sounds in which the baby is being subjected is very important. Rock music or automobile traffic can be extremely unsettling for a fetus in utero and can result in accelerated heart rate for hours after the experience. Being aware that the mothers voice is the easiest and most comforting sound for a fetus to hear is something as music therapists we can encourage others to consider and practice. Encouraging mothers to sing is a great way to facilitate prenatal bonding and also helps to calm or relax the child. Also encouraging mothers to listen to music that is soothing, simple, and melodic is another way to support development and pre-linguistic skills. Not all music is beneficial for a fetus. As a music therapist it is important that we guide mothers to choose music that is lower in range, slower in tempo, and simple/ harmonious. Music therapists can also suggest to mothers other sensory experiences that are important for development such as touch. Touch is the first sense to develop in utero therefore supporting a mother to sing and incorporate other sensory experiences can be extremely beneficial for a child in utero.
Yes singing and talking to baby/rubbing the belly is an important part of the NIghtly Practice sessions of Sound Birthing MTACB. But this bonding experience needs to start much earlier as we know baby becomes aware of sounds at a much earlier age than when birth preparation usually occurs.
As many others mentioned, as music therapists, our awareness of the sensory experiences of the baby in utero. I often wondered while I was pregnant with my daughter what she thought of the music I was playing all day. Being so close to the guitar (There was certainly no escaping it!) must have been an interesting sensory experience for her.
I think encouraging mommas to use their voice as much as possible is great. I wonder about ways to normalize that experience for some women. I know I often had intern conversations with my daughter, but I wasn't very good about talking out loud specifically to her. Lord knows she heard my voice plenty though anyway!
For sure Corinne- and I'll bet she loved it. :) All typed of communication internal and external are important for baby. And also explaining to baby when you'e had a difficult or stressful day is also important.
Being a music therapist, it is important to be aware of the sensory perceptions in utero so that we are helping to contribute to the well-being of the developing child. Knowing about a baby's perception of sound encouraging family members and friends to use their own voices would be advantageous.
I am an elementary music teacher, as well as a music therapist, and am almost 24 weeks pregnant, so this reading has given me some interesting insight into what the baby is experiencing during my classes, especially.
As a music therapist I think it's important to consider the mother's emotional state as it relates to the sensory perceptions of the baby in utero. A mother's reaction to a particular sound/piece of music will inform the babies reaction the most I feel. If a mother is stressed while experiencing a certain piece of music, even if it's considered soothing, the baby will experience the physiological side effects of the stress, not the calming implications that the music may suggest.
Yes the mother's reaction is very important as it will send a biochemical message to the baby. Mother's should listen to music that makes them feel calm and centered in order to share these benefits with the babu in utero. :)
It is important to be aware of sensory perception in utero because babies are deeply affected by the stimulus they are subjected to. They can be calmed by noises such as mother's voice and music mother finds calming but they can also be scared by noises that mother finds scary or other loud and sudden noises. It is also important to know that babies can be negatively impacted if subjected to loud noises and for this reason, we need to monitor the noises baby is subjected to. Playing music too loud too close to where baby is can be jarring and damaging - we need to consider how we are delivering sound to baby, it shouldn't be direct where they will be scared by the noise rather than the desired effect - calmed. We should also be aware that exposing baby to father's voice, lullabies and nursery rhymes in utero can create a nice security for baby after they are born when they are exposed to those same sounds. It makes me wonder what the movements of my own baby in utero mean and it encourages me to pay closer attention. I direct the senior choir at my church and I have noticed recently that my baby is more active after we sing the song, "In the Garden." Hopefully that means she likes it and doesn't hate it!
Yes Amber thank you for sharing your observations. It is good that you are noticing your babies movements more now. :) We must always use care and protect the baby even in utero from sound that can be alarming or damaging. Just say no to rock concerts is what I always tell pregnant women. Babies need calm, safety, and consistency and are aware of much more in utero than we first realized. MD :)
Because music, singing, sounds, etc. are pre-cursors for language and learning, it is important to know which sounds help to stimulate a pleasant, learning environment for the baby and which sounds cause the baby to react/respond in a defensive manner. When a startle response occurs from a sound that is too loud, it can cause the baby in utero to stop its fetal breathing movements for a while even after the sound has stopped. On a more proactive note, we can use slow, soft, simple music to develop language and to help with the eventual transition out of the womb. Knowing a baby's tolerance level for sound can help the baby thrive and develop as best as he/she can.
Yes Dr. David Chamberlain and Dr. Thomas Verny refer to the womb as the baby's first classroom- because it is there where the sounds and rhtym of speech are learned and the brain is mapped for the native language before birth. That is so exciting! Our words are so important and through music we can convey deeper emotion. Babies need to feel wanted and loved always and we can communicate that so beautifully with the womb song and other simple bonding melodies.
Posting this for Dr. Kathleen Friend: Music therapists need to be aware of the sensory perception of the child in utero because we are making an intervention through sound. We need to know about timing, volume and pitch. The baby can start active listening around week 17-19 and prefers higher pitched frequencies which favors the female voice of the mother.Prior to this, the baby registers sound through vibration. Volume is important too because the baby can be hyper stimulated and have an unpleasant experience. In general, we now understand that the baby is profoundly affected by sound experiences. The mother and father can enhance bonding and attachment through speaking and singing to the baby while in utero. The baby will experience the reactions of the mother to music so it is important to use music the mother enjoys so that her physiologic response will transmit to the baby.
We need to be aware of sensory perception in utero due to the development of the baby’s many senses. As music therapists we should particularly take caution while working with music and the baby, as they can begin to hear sound at 17-19 weeks. Babies can react positively or negatively to outside stimuli so we should teach the mother about what sounds can impact the baby and how.
It is important that we consider volume, pitch, mood of the music, as well as the preferred music of the mother (and of the partner, as perhaps they want to introduce baby to music. In my particular circumstance, my husband is a music professor and professional musician so there was always music on the cd player or being played live by one of us throughout the entire pregnancy). The mother and baby and partner listening to music together can increase prenatal bonding by the baby learning the rhythm and speech patterns of their parents’ voices while speaking or singing.
A couple other considerations would be cultural and work environment. If we are working with a family that may be from another country, we would want to help them build a playlist that encompasses their culture. With all we know about how much the baby can hear, we can make recommendations if the mom works in a loud industry and may need to find alternatives in her daily work environment.
As a music therapist, it’s incredibly important to be aware of sensory perception in utero. Sounds outside of the womb affect the baby inside the womb. A baby can become frightened by loud sounds. A baby can breathe in time with a rhythm. A baby can hear low tones better than high tones. Because we know these facts, music therapists should be careful to choose music that would not frighten or agitate the baby. It’s also important to keep in mind that the baby could potentially start breathing in time with the music being played. The baby inside of the mother is real, has feelings and emotions, and should be treated accordingly.
ReplyDeleteYes Katie that is so rue. Babies can be startled and frightened by loud sounds. There have been some studies about babies in utero exposed to fighting and domestic violence. http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/domestic-abuse-may-affect-children-in-womb/ Yes it is very important to use music that is soothing and not over stimulatory. I always caution mothers about attending rock concerts during pregnancy. And I always tell people NEVER put headphones on the belly during pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteI did notice that in the Pregnant Body Book they actually suggested putting headphones on the belly and playing music to stimulate brain development!!
DeleteWhat is everyone's opinion on putting a guitar up to my wife's belly so our daughter can hear and feel the vibrations?
Deletehttp://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/domestic-abuse-may-affect-children-in-womb/
ReplyDeleteA Music therapist must be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero to understand what information the baby is receiving and how they are receiving it. We must know when the hearing is developed and that the baby can be affected even sooner in utero as he can respond to stimuli even before the ear is fully developed at 24 weeks. Studies in Ireland show the fetus responding to sound as early as 14 -weeks gestation. It is also important to know how sounds travel to the baby. Vowels are lower in pitch than consonants so the baby will only hear the melody of speech and It is said that music is less distorted than speech as it reaches the fetus. A mother’s voice may be heard first at around 250 hertz and outside sounds are reduced by twenty decibels.
ReplyDeleteYes- that is why baby's love the sound of their mother's voice- especially singing!
ReplyDeleteIt is important for us to be aware of the sensory perceptions of the baby in utero so that we are able to help, not harm, the developing baby and baby/mother relationship. We need to be aware of what sounds are beneficial to the baby. Low tones and vowels are more easily heard. Loud, sudden, or fast tempo music and sounds can frighten and excite the baby in utero. We know that the mothers voice is the most easily heard and most comforting to the baby, so helping and encouraging the mother to sing would be very calming and comforting for the baby. Also being aware of which composers have a calming effect versus which ones have an exciting/disturbing effect is important to keep in mind. Studies have shown that Vivaldi and Mozart had a calming effect, while Brahms and Beethoven had the opposite effect on babies in the womb. Being aware of all these things also equips us to better serve the mother and help give her tools to connect with, comfort, and nurture her baby even inside the womb.
ReplyDeleteYes- just say no to rock concerts when you are pregnant! Yes Mozart is calming because of the form and the repetition. Brahms and Beethoven can be dark and brooding; also many abrupt changes in dynamics. Choose wisely when listening prenatally.
ReplyDeleteI was at a breakfast with Santa event with my kids this weekend and I overheard a women talking to a guy about a Fleetwood Mac concert she attended the night before. The women seemed to be toward the end of her pregnancy. The guy asked her how the baby liked the concert. She told him she had to sit down during the concert because she was experiencing contractions. What you wrote above popped into my head "Just say no to rock concerts when you are pregnant!" :)
DeleteI went to a spin class the other day, and couldn't help but feel guilty the entire time at the amount of noise I was exposing this little guy too. Holy moly.
DeleteI have read journal articles about scientists producing movement in fetuses from the womb. The authors did this by applying a sound source to the outside of the womb. The conclusion was that the louder the sound source, the more movement you get from the fetus. Since the 50s, we have learned that the jerking movement they produced in the fetus could possibly be a reaction to pain from too much sound input. If the authors of that article had known about the sensory perception of the child in utero, they may have understood the dangers of the procedure and interpreted the results differently. As music therapists, we need to be extremely sensitive to the volume of the music that we use whether live or recorded. We should also advocate for the fetus by making sure the mother knows about applying sound sources to her womb and how that can amplify the sound beyond a safe threshold for the fetus.
ReplyDeleteYes absolutely. We must always be considerate of sound levels for mother and baby.
ReplyDeleteHi to all, sorry for my late answers but last two months were hectic one but let s start with first week. Just to mention that English is not my language and maybe I will make some gramatical mistakes.
ReplyDeleteAs a music therapist it is very important to consider and to be aware and to talk (a lot) about babies sensory perception in utero as well as moms feelings, projections, music tastes, beliefs…. as well. First of all, if I am not quite sure (at least here in Serbia) how many new moms are aware that baby can hear, feel.. inside. Last month I had one of my educational lectures about infant massage and musical baby bonding with pregnant mom (and dads) and at the beginning I asked mothers: “Are you singing to your babies?” In a group of 50 people, just 1 mom said that she does, other was laughing, looked at me probably thinking what she is talking about…. Therefore I think (as a music therapist and educator) that education should have to be first step considering fetal sensory perception. I hope that, in that case, many, or let say, few of them, will take our profession and services as important and informative. Second, as a music therapist it is important to be also educated how, when, how much ….of sound, voice, music is “good enough”. That education should have to include many facts that my colleges already mention during this training (volume of sound, baby sensory development, mothers musical preferences to be considered and, sure, our support there …. As far as I am concerned much live music (mother voice) then recorded one
Yes Nana- live music (mother's voice) is preferential because of the vibration of the sound in the mother's bones the baby experiences the sound physically as well. I can't believe that only 1 mom was singing to her baby prenatally, it seems so natural right? We need to help the mothers understand how important this is. :)
DeleteSure, that is why we are here :) to learn more and motivate moms in the making!
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteSo when considering sensory stimulation in utero, the most obvious (and best for us) is sound! We know that babies hear so much in utero, so it's so important that we bring in sounds that are nurturing and positive. With that, we also need to consider the volume, timbre, etc. that we are exposing baby to.
Yes so much information is communicated to baby via sound! We are so lucky that music is such a good communication tool!
DeleteAs music therapists considering sensory stimulation, we need to be aware of sound. Specifically, we want to remember that babies hear low tones better. As music therapists, we should pick lower keys when working with mother and babies in utero. We should also use vowels more frequently in our music selection, as fetuses hear vowels more clearly. We should avoid loud sounds and fast tempo that appears suddenly. As music therapists, we also need to be aware of the mother's sensory needs and the changes in her body. Finally, as the fetus develops, it will be more sensitive to touch and its surroundings environment. If we use touch in our interventions, we should be aware of the fetus's positioning and how babies react to touch, especially in the third trimester
ReplyDeleteDorian Campbell
Thanks for pointing out that we need to consider mom's sensory needs too! I think expecting women have excellent intuition and what mom wants or doesn't want probably has a lot to do with what is best for baby too. Also, mom is our client too!
DeleteYes and singing emphasizes the vowels for babies. Thanks for mentioning that! Also you are right, the sensory needs of the mother are so important because if the mother is overstimulated this can cause her body to be flooded with cortisol which will affect the baby. Often women experience heightened levels of hormones as the body prepares for birth, particularly epinephrine and norepineprhine. These are the fight or flight hormones. We need to use music to help mom and baby feel calm and safe and music can do that beautifully. Using soft, slow songs with touching words will also support the stimulation of prolactin which is the hormone of mothering necessary for bonding.
DeleteUnderstating the sensory perception of a child in utero is at the center of responsibly working with pregnant women. Music therapists must understand what baby can hear and when. We can use our knowledge that baby can first hear 250-500hz to encouraging bonding with mom, and eventually with dad. Engaging with parents can encourage the baby to begin actively listening instead of just hearing. Relationship formed in utero can be carried into the wide world for babies! With that wonderful possibility comes responsibility to take the infant's safety and emotions into account. Music should be calming and carefully chosen not to startle or scare.
ReplyDeleteMusic therapist can encourage mamas to use other sensory interventions to bond with baby, especially touch! Babies have demonstrated facial reactions to touch as early as 7 weeks post-conception (9 weeks in a typically dated pregnancy).
We should also take into account what music mom and dad enjoy, and what kind of bond they want to cultivate with their baby. For instance, they may want to calm the baby, or play and encourage active awake stares.
A short personal story- I found out my sweet baby was breech at 34 weeks and would not flip before birth despite all my efforts! The midwife suggested I play music where I wanted his head to be, but he still didn't want to move. I am absolutely convinced it's because his head was exactly where my guitar rested on my belly! I think he liked the vibrations and hearing the music. Knowing now that sound is only decreased by 20db I hope it wasn't too loud!
Laura Olson
I'll bet he loved your guitar playing! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteLaura, I was thinking of the same effect on my first son! He was breech as well, but thankfully we were able to flip him around 34 weeks. At the time I was working in a school district with almost constant sessions throughout the day and therefore almost constant guitar playing. It wasn't exactly "calming"music! He was a very active child in utero and as an infant, and at the time (and now) I'm wondering if the exciting music had an effect on his activity and initially being breech.
DeleteHow interesting, my baby was breech up until 35 weeks too! Maybe it's a music therapist thing because of the guitar playing and all the vibrations as mentioned?
DeleteThat is fascinating I wonder if other MT-BC have experienced something similar.
DeleteQ: As a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero? What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
ReplyDeleteA: It is important to be aware because music therapy is meant to meet the individual at whatever stage of life and development they are in at the time of intervention. To work with mother and child means the therapist must be just as aware of the child's current sensory perceptive abilities and comfort levels as the mother. To be aware is essential to the most effective form of music therapy. To be ignorant would be unproductive and potentially harmful.
Significant factors to consider intervention include what stage of development the child is in (ex. would sensory play and vibrational techniques, using the mother's belly as a medium be effective? to include touch or not to!?Advanced sense of touch develops at approx. 16 weeks.) Another factor to consider is the child's comfort level (ex. does the child respond to touch favorably? pain receptors develop as touch does, so is the therapist and mother being mindful and aware of the child's responses?). Mother's comfort is equally as important, she must feel at ease with a pleasant rapport and feel in a safe space. The greater the comfort of the mother, the greater chance of the comfort of a child and the greater chance of successful intervention. These are just a few considerations needed and examples and arguably above all! the therapist must remember they are dealing with TWO individuals. while mother and child are greatly connected, they are two separate life forms with different personalities, comfort levels, needs and stages of development.
Christine Lewis
Yes it is important to remember that some women may feel self conscious at first. Helping her to feel safe and comfortable with the process of communicating with her baby is so important. Thanks for Christine for reminding us about that.
ReplyDeleteAs a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero?
ReplyDeleteIt is extremely important for several reasons. The most obvious being that we don't want to harm the child! We need to be using music and music modalities that are safe for both mother and baby, and not causing undue stress and anxiety. Another reason is so that we can understand the level of interaction we can have with the baby in utero, as well as how we can use music to facilitate that interaction. It is also important in order to support the mother and partner in their communication with their child and for working towards the child's wellbeing.
What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
Not all music is safe, and some sounds can be very startling. Babies entrain to music too, so keep that in mind when choosing the material (BPM, complexity, message/emotion, predictability.) Don't forget about the baby, direct singing/music/speech are important both from the parents and the therapist. The mother's voice is preferred, and the child is building a relationship with the parent's, so in these settings it's good to be mindful not to take over, assuming instead more of a supportive role, guiding and offering suggestions.
Yes excellent recommendations Summer. :)
DeleteAs a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero? What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
ReplyDeleteAs a soprano I and flutist, I was taken aback by the fact that lower sounds are heard better than higher sounds from the womb. This will force me to explore the lower range of my voice, flute if I use it, and the lower range of the guitar and piano. It's especially important to be aware of the sensory perception of a baby in utero because we are so far separated from that stage of life that there is so much room for harm. If we don't take the time to understand of the development of sensory perception in utero we could actually do harm with music/music therapy to the baby and the mother.
It is crucial to consider the mother/family's culture when working with a baby in utero. It's important not only to develop an understanding of their preferred music and what it musically meaningful to them, but also to consider the cultural implications of pregnancy, birth, and the beginning of life.
It's important to consider the range, complexity, and tempo when making stylistic choices for music as well.
Use we must use slow, gentle, low tones when initially communicating with baby in utero. We do not want to cause a startle or fear response with music that is overstimulating. I often caution parents who plan to go to rock concerts.
DeleteI was also surprised to hear that low tones are best heard in utero! Especially since babies prefer higher pitches after they're born.
DeleteAs a music therapist, it is important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero so we know how to effectively and safely work with this population. We can use our knowledge of the baby's development and preferences to maximize the positive effects for Baby and family. In particular, taking note of the senses for hearing, touch, and emotional/stress reactions.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I would make the following considerations in those areas. For hearing, being careful to avoid loud or startling music, knowing the timeline for the development of hearing and responses to sounds and vibrations (14-24 weeks), and recognizing that babies prefer their mother's voice (and father's voice comes soon after). As someone mentioned, I would encourage and reassure her that her voice is the best and give her the support and confidence to sing to her little one, perhaps by learning a lovely lullaby that she (and Dad) can continue at home. For touch, encouraging nurturing touch and teaching the parents about the development in this area. And for emotional health, I believe the key here is addressing Mom's needs. Babies in utero respond to Mom's stress as seen in their own elevated heart rates, release of stress hormones, and inactivity/hyperactivity. Helping mom through music-assisted breathing and relaxation would be beneficial here, as would be addressing any specific areas of worry, anxiety, or stress through any typical music therapy intervention.
Yes stress management for mom is key to a low stress environment for baby in utero. :) MD
ReplyDeleteWeek 1
ReplyDeleteAs an MT-BC why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero?
As an MT-BC it is important to know developmentally where the fetus is at and what they are able to do to appropriately implement interventions that will meet them at the level they are at. If an activity is used before a certain sensory system is developed than the activity will have little to no effect. In essence we are making the interventions sensory developmentally appropriate. Knowing when sound develops, what frequencies are heard, preferred music, and things calm will help the fetus and eventually the baby. Also knowing when touch comes into play songs can be used such as the kick game to build that social connection between the fetus and mother.
What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
I think observing the comfort level of the mother, if she is feeling anxious than so will the fetus. Having a safe and supportive environment will help both of them. Having the mother also monitor changes in fetal movement. If a song is agitating them the fetus might communicate it by kicking or it could mean they enjoy it. The mother would have a better feel for it.
Yes we need to choose interventions that developmentally appropriate for the baby in utero. That is a very important consideration. Also monitoring changes in fetal movement by mother is a a good way to feedback on what her perception is of the baby's experience of the music. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a music therapist why is it important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero?
ReplyDeleteAs many people have already said, it is important to know the sensory perception of the child in utero for several reasons: 1. So we don't overstimulate the child 2. So we don't startle or create a fear response 3. So we can educate the parents on how to avoid overstimulating the child 4. So we can help the parents better bond with their child.
What considerations should we be aware of when working with mothers and babies in utero?
Some considerations to be aware of are the mother and partner's preferred/cultural music, the volume of the music used, (educating parents not to put headphones on the belly!), and the emotional state of the mother. Providing opportunities for the mother to relax (without stressing her out about being stressed out) will also help the baby in utero.
Yes to all! These are the basic principles and considerations for prenatal music therapy. It would be a great idea to write these on a notecard and post them on a bulletin board in your work area as a reminder of what we do. :) Also this a great summary that could be reworded as bullet points for a webpage or brochure.
ReplyDeleteAs music therapists, it’s important for us to consider all facets of the baby’s sensory perception in utero. As many posts have mentioned above, auditory perception comes to mind first when considering the types of stimulation that we may be providing for babies in the womb. It’s particularly important for us to be considering dB level, as loud noises may be distressing for the baby, as well as the mother. Making sure to focus our music around lower frequencies may help to ensure that the baby can in fact hear the music, as these frequencies are heard with more clarity in the womb.
ReplyDeleteMonitoring the baby’s responses - particularly any movement or lack thereof - will also be important in assessing the appropriateness of various levels of stimulation. An anecdote in Chapter 4 of Windows to the Womb caught my attention. A mother noticed that her baby kicked more in response to the lower notes of a song, but when he was older, the child indicated that he didn’t like the low notes in that same song. This is an important reminder for us that while kicking and other physical responses from the baby may be a sign of contentment or enjoyment, it can also be a sign of distress or overstimulation. It would be important for both therapist and parent to be aware of what these different responses feel like, and to be able to adjust stimulation accordingly.
Emily Stegweit
Thank you for reminding us that kicking may be a sign of overstimulation. That is important to remember! Music should be soothing, gentle and developmentally appropriate for a developing baby in utero.
DeleteAs a music therapist it is important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero because the fetus' development is impacted by the sounds it hears (can be positive or negative depending on timbre, pitch, intensity and rhythm). The hearing is the most keen sense while a baby is in utero and the fetus forms an important developmental component from prenatal sounds because prenatal sounds form a foundation for the baby to learn and behave in its environment after birth. The fetus is exposed to sounds from his mother as well as outside noises which he can use as information to learn the frequencies of language in his culture. It is also very important for Music Therapist's to be aware of sensory perception because of possibilities for over-stimulation and accelerating the heart beat which could lead to birth defects according to some research. The statement that stood out the most to me in my reading was from Giselle Whitwell's article, "The ultimate objective should be to help create not a musical genius but a person well integrated in his/her physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual self". I feel like music exposure for the fetus should be balanced, simple and soothing to help promote well-being, calmness, and steady heart beat.
ReplyDeleteMusic Therapists should be aware of the effects of sound such as how lower tones are more audible to the baby and how words, vowels/consonants become melodic like music to a fetus. Also, an importance must be placed on the mother's impact on the fetus and how she plays one of the most important roles to the development of the fetus with her own sounds, words and lullabies. I am learning that it's possibly a big part of a Music Therapist's job to help work with the mom (and family as a whole) to develop a bond with the baby especially in utero to help shape the little human he or she will become and to foster well-being early on.
Yes it can be a positive or negative response depending on the qualities of sound. Mothers voice and language of the culture are most important during this time. Yes simole soothing music is what baby needs most. Nice summary!
DeleteAs music therapists working in this area it is absolutely our number one priority (along with the safety of the mother), to be aware of the child’s sensory perceptions in utero. Whilst health professionals will be concerned with the safety and welfare of the child and mother, I feel that the same level of focus is not give to the child’s auditory perception and the impact that this may have on their well-being. We know that hearing is the most developed of all the senses before birth, yet it seems that medical professionals give little thought to the physiological and psychological impact this may have. Chronic noise has been associated with birth defects and although this is the extreme end of the scale, it is never the less proof of the impact sound can have and highlights the importance of our job as music therapists.
ReplyDeleteYes exactly!
Delete
ReplyDeleteWhen working with mothers we need to consider several factors. Firstly, their emotional state and stress levels, as this is going to have a direct physiological impact on the unborn child. Any loud outbursts are not only going to be heard by the foetus, but also felt through vibrations. Studies have shown that when exposed to violent outbursts for example, the baby is startled in the same way as the mother, and also process physical sensations in the same way.
It’s also extremely important to consider the decibel levels of sound the baby is regularly being exposed to in the womb, as chronic noise has been associated with birth defects. One study in Osaka found that women who lived near the airport had a greater incidence of premature babies and babies who were born with smaller birth weights.
Noises that are familiar to newborn babies (such as intrauterine sounds), have been associated with not only calming newborns, but helping them to self-regulate, so this is something that definitely needs to be considered by music therapists and has great implications for the use of music during pregnancy. I think this is something that could really help promote the use and education of pre-natal music therapy, as it has such direct practical applications for every parent - who wouldn’t want a baby who cries less and is more easily calmed with such an easy and readily available tool?!
It’s also important to factor in a mother’s preference for music and favourite sounds, as this is also going to have direct physiological impact on her body and that of the baby’s due to her emotional response. If positive listening experiences are repeated, it is likely that the baby will also have a positive listening experience after birth, as not only will they be able to recognise the sound/music, they are more likely to find it pleasurable and therefore relax, which will be so beneficial to both parents and baby in not only the first few hours and weeks of life. This also has such strong implications for assisting with bonding and promoting secure attachment between mother and child.
The heart rate of the both the mother and child should also be clearly monitored and considered, as rhythm and heart rate can be so closely linked. Although this can potentially have amazing positive benefits, the negative also need to be taken into consideration as exposure to certain rhythms may increase heart rates to the point that it causes a rise in arterial pressure, which may cause severe complications. It is therefore important to know and understand heart rate patterns of both mother and child. In the second and third trimesters, the average heart rate for the unborn baby is between 120-160 bpm and given that the rhythm of a lot of music is faster than this, it is a very important element to consider.
Conversely, consistent rhythms can help modify the heart rate in a positive way, such as helping to slow a racing heart beat when necessary. Newborns in neo-natal care have also been found to gain weight faster and have more regular and deeper breathing when listening to the sound of a heartbeat – such simple and important information to know, that can easily be utilised by parents. And just to finish, I love this quote : “… rhythm itself provides a most reassuring cradle because of its promise of repetition and continuity”, (W. Ernest Freud).
Thank you for such a comprehensive response to these questions. You bring up many important points Rebecca!
DeleteThis was definitely eye opening. Until I read this research I wasn't aware that there were any studies about the emotional life of a fetus. Despite having been pregnant, I didn't actually realize how much interaction and emotional connection could be possible. That's exciting to consider as a music therapist working with pregnant women because music can be used as a tool to play and to bond. Considerations are that the baby loves to hear his mothers voice more than any other voice, so singing is a great tool--and they are sensitive to loud sounds so to be gentle with that aspect of music. Purposefully playing a certain kind of music while pregnant and then continuing that song after birth is a great way to build a relationship-even for fathers. And, it's interesting to think of the music I'm sure my mother played for me while she was pregnant--and why it really does feel like that music is genetically a part of me now.
ReplyDeleteYes singing is an amazing way for parents to bond with baby in utero!
DeleteAs a music therapist it is very important to be aware of sensory perception of the child in utero. The fetus is keenly aware of the environment in which they are developing. Being aware of the sounds in which the baby is being subjected is very important. Rock music or automobile traffic can be extremely unsettling for a fetus in utero and can result in accelerated heart rate for hours after the experience. Being aware that the mothers voice is the easiest and most comforting sound for a fetus to hear is something as music therapists we can encourage others to consider and practice. Encouraging mothers to sing is a great way to facilitate prenatal bonding and also helps to calm or relax the child. Also encouraging mothers to listen to music that is soothing, simple, and melodic is another way to support development and pre-linguistic skills. Not all music is beneficial for a fetus. As a music therapist it is important that we guide mothers to choose music that is lower in range, slower in tempo, and simple/ harmonious.
ReplyDeleteMusic therapists can also suggest to mothers other sensory experiences that are important for development such as touch. Touch is the first sense to develop in utero therefore supporting a mother to sing and incorporate other sensory experiences can be extremely beneficial for a child in utero.
Yes singing and talking to baby/rubbing the belly is an important part of the NIghtly Practice sessions of Sound Birthing MTACB. But this bonding experience needs to start much earlier as we know baby becomes aware of sounds at a much earlier age than when birth preparation usually occurs.
DeleteAs many others mentioned, as music therapists, our awareness of the sensory experiences of the baby in utero. I often wondered while I was pregnant with my daughter what she thought of the music I was playing all day. Being so close to the guitar (There was certainly no escaping it!) must have been an interesting sensory experience for her.
ReplyDeleteI think encouraging mommas to use their voice as much as possible is great. I wonder about ways to normalize that experience for some women. I know I often had intern conversations with my daughter, but I wasn't very good about talking out loud specifically to her. Lord knows she heard my voice plenty though anyway!
For sure Corinne- and I'll bet she loved it. :) All typed of communication internal and external are important for baby. And also explaining to baby when you'e had a difficult or stressful day is also important.
ReplyDeleteBeing a music therapist, it is important to be aware of the sensory perceptions in utero so that we are helping to contribute to the well-being of the developing child. Knowing about a baby's perception of sound encouraging family members and friends to use their own voices would be advantageous.
ReplyDeleteI am an elementary music teacher, as well as a music therapist, and am almost 24 weeks pregnant, so this reading has given me some interesting insight into what the baby is experiencing during my classes, especially.
That's great! I am sure your baby is enjoying your music already! :)
DeleteAs a music therapist I think it's important to consider the mother's emotional state as it relates to the sensory perceptions of the baby in utero. A mother's reaction to a particular sound/piece of music will inform the babies reaction the most I feel. If a mother is stressed while experiencing a certain piece of music, even if it's considered soothing, the baby will experience the physiological side effects of the stress, not the calming implications that the music may suggest.
ReplyDeleteYes the mother's reaction is very important as it will send a biochemical message to the baby. Mother's should listen to music that makes them feel calm and centered in order to share these benefits with the babu in utero. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is important to be aware of sensory perception in utero because babies are deeply affected by the stimulus they are subjected to. They can be calmed by noises such as mother's voice and music mother finds calming but they can also be scared by noises that mother finds scary or other loud and sudden noises. It is also important to know that babies can be negatively impacted if subjected to loud noises and for this reason, we need to monitor the noises baby is subjected to. Playing music too loud too close to where baby is can be jarring and damaging - we need to consider how we are delivering sound to baby, it shouldn't be direct where they will be scared by the noise rather than the desired effect - calmed. We should also be aware that exposing baby to father's voice, lullabies and nursery rhymes in utero can create a nice security for baby after they are born when they are exposed to those same sounds. It makes me wonder what the movements of my own baby in utero mean and it encourages me to pay closer attention. I direct the senior choir at my church and I have noticed recently that my baby is more active after we sing the song, "In the Garden." Hopefully that means she likes it and doesn't hate it!
ReplyDeleteYes Amber thank you for sharing your observations. It is good that you are noticing your babies movements more now. :) We must always use care and protect the baby even in utero from sound that can be alarming or damaging. Just say no to rock concerts is what I always tell pregnant women. Babies need calm, safety, and consistency and are aware of much more in utero than we first realized. MD :)
DeleteBecause music, singing, sounds, etc. are pre-cursors for language and learning, it is important to know which sounds help to stimulate a pleasant, learning environment for the baby and which sounds cause the baby to react/respond in a defensive manner. When a startle response occurs from a sound that is too loud, it can cause the baby in utero to stop its fetal breathing movements for a while even after the sound has stopped. On a more proactive note, we can use slow, soft, simple music to develop language and to help with the eventual transition out of the womb. Knowing a baby's tolerance level for sound can help the baby thrive and develop as best as he/she can.
ReplyDeleteYes Dr. David Chamberlain and Dr. Thomas Verny refer to the womb as the baby's first classroom- because it is there where the sounds and rhtym of speech are learned and the brain is mapped for the native language before birth. That is so exciting! Our words are so important and through music we can convey deeper emotion. Babies need to feel wanted and loved always and we can communicate that so beautifully with the womb song and other simple bonding melodies.
DeletePosting this for Dr. Kathleen Friend:
ReplyDeleteMusic therapists need to be aware of the sensory perception of the child in utero because we are making an intervention through sound. We need to know about timing, volume and pitch. The baby can start active listening around week 17-19 and prefers higher pitched frequencies which favors the female voice of the mother.Prior to this, the baby registers sound through vibration. Volume is important too because the baby can be hyper stimulated and have an unpleasant experience. In general, we now understand that the baby is profoundly affected by sound experiences. The mother and father can enhance bonding and attachment through speaking and singing to the baby while in utero. The baby will experience the reactions of the mother to music so it is important to use music the mother enjoys so that her physiologic response will transmit to the baby.
We need to be aware of sensory perception in utero due to the development of the baby’s many senses. As music therapists we should particularly take caution while working with music and the baby, as they can begin to hear sound at 17-19 weeks. Babies can react positively or negatively to outside stimuli so we should teach the mother about what sounds can impact the baby and how.
ReplyDeleteIt is important that we consider volume, pitch, mood of the music, as well as the preferred music of the mother (and of the partner, as perhaps they want to introduce baby to music. In my particular circumstance, my husband is a music professor and professional musician so there was always music on the cd player or being played live by one of us throughout the entire pregnancy). The mother and baby and partner listening to music together can increase prenatal bonding by the baby learning the rhythm and speech patterns of their parents’ voices while speaking or singing.
A couple other considerations would be cultural and work environment. If we are working with a family that may be from another country, we would want to help them build a playlist that encompasses their culture. With all we know about how much the baby can hear, we can make recommendations if the mom works in a loud industry and may need to find alternatives in her daily work environment.