It’s safe to say that pregnancy and childbirth are transformative experiences, and the role of music in pregnancy and birth has always been a topic of interest, but, is there any evidence behind it’s use in these circumstances and if so, what should we be listening to and why? Let’s have a look in more detail into the potential benefits and evidence.
Music as a Relaxation Tool During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a time of physical and emotional changes, which may sometimes lead to stress or anxiety. Listening to soothing music, such as classical tunes, nature sounds, or even your favourite slow melodies, can help release tension, lower heart rates, and promote relaxation. Studies (like this one) suggest that engaging with relaxing music may even reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone, which can benefit both the mother and the baby.
Building a Bond with Your Baby
It’s amazing to think that by the second trimester, a baby can start hearing sounds from the outside world. Playing music for your little one not only helps with auditory stimulation but can also create an emotional bond. Repeating certain songs or melodies during pregnancy may even be recognised by your baby after birth, potentially comforting them with familiar sounds, read the full study results on this here.
Boosting Mood and Emotional Well-being
Pregnancy hormones can cause mood swings, making the role of music in pregnancy and birth, when it comes to self-care, even more important. Upbeat tunes can help lift your spirits, while meditative sounds can centre your thoughts. You might also find that singing along or humming a favourite song is not only enjoyable but also acts as a mini mindfulness exercise.
A systematic review from 2021 found that music listening produced a reduction in feelings of distress, including specific measures of depression, anxiety and stress. Greater feelings of relaxation and nostalgia, improved mood and reduced agitation.
Music Therapy During Labour and Delivery
For many women, labour can be a stressful and intense experience. Music can act as a natural pain management tool by redirecting focus, encouraging rhythmic breathing, and fostering a sense of calm. Many women create labour playlists with songs that hold personal meaning or tracks designed for relaxation to make the birthing environment more soothing.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was done on this topic in 2020 which concluded that ‘Music therapy seems to have beneficial effects on pain intensity and anxiety during labour, especially for women giving birth for the first time’. However, the evidence is qualified as low.
Creating a Positive Postpartum Environment
We’ve considered the role of music in pregnancy and birth, but what about after the birth, when you’re at home with your baby?
Research does suggest that incorporating melodies into your postpartum care can promote relaxation, enhance mood, and provide a comforting backdrop as you adapt to life with your new born.
This Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the ‘Effects of Music Therapy on Postpartum Anxiety and Pain Levels’ (2021), showed that music therapy can significantly reduce both postpartum anxiety and pain scores. The group with the best outcome were those that selected their own music (compared to the group with no music).
Tips for Using Music in Pregnancy and Birth
Create Custom Playlists
Curate playlists tailored to your needs. Energising songs for motivation, calming tracks for relaxation, and special tunes that make you feel connected to your baby. Nostalgic songs that bring back happy memories are a good choice as well, as they can help with anxiety and grounding.
Consider each stage of labour as well as each stage of your pregnancy. Labour can go through many phases, so be prepared to switch to something more calming or energising at the press of a button!
Experiment with Genres
Explore a mix of styles, from classical and instrumental music to gentle vocal pieces. Find what resonates with you (and your baby).
One study (from 2024) looked at ‘The impact of different music genres on pain tolerance’ and found that listening to a favoured music genre has a significant positive influence on pain tolerance, irrespective of the kind of genre.
Looking at the various studies that have been done on this, it’s certainly not a ‘one track fits all’ scenario, it’s more what works for you.
Live Music and Singing
Don’t underestimate the power of your own voice. Singing or playing an instrument for your baby can enhance bonding and create treasured memories.
This study looked at ‘The effects of a music and singing intervention during pregnancy on maternal well-being and mother–infant bonding’. They found that both interventions had positive effects on the emotional state, stress (cortisol) and bonding (oxytocin) but the singing group showed a larger reduction in cortisol and a larger improvement in valence than the music group!
Final Thoughts
Music is a universal language that touches our minds and hearts, making it a perfect companion for the journey of pregnancy and birth. Whether it’s to calm nerves, strengthen the bond with your baby, or make labour a little less daunting, the role of music in pregnancy and birth is quite clear and well backed by scientific evidence.