Singing During Pregnancy Enhances Maternal Well-being and Mother-Infant Bonding
In a study published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2021, researchers examined the effects of music and singing during pregnancy on maternal well-being and mother-infant bonding. The study involved 172 pregnant women randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group, a passive music listening group, or an active singing group. Data collection included standardized questionnaires assessing perceived closeness to the baby, depression, and anxiety symptoms, conducted at the study's outset at 30 and again at 36 weeks of gestation. Salivary samples were collected before and after the first intervention session to measure cortisol, alpha-amylase, and oxytocin levels.
Two interventions were studied: passive music listening and active singing. The passive music listening group attended one small group session where they learned relaxation techniques through passive music listening and were encouraged to practice this at home daily for 10-15 minutes. The active singing group attended two small group sessions led by a music therapist, with salivary samples collected after the first session. Participants sang children's songs and lullabies with live guitar accompaniment and were instructed to continue singing at home for 10-15 minutes daily.
Results indicated notable reductions in stress levels, as evidenced by a decrease in salivary cortisol, with the singing group experiencing a more significant reduction compared to the passive music listening group. Moreover, both intervention groups exhibited an increase in salivary oxytocin, which plays a vital role in maternal-infant bonding. In terms of perceived closeness to their babies, the singing group reported a more substantial improvement than the passive music listening group. Additionally, the singing group showed an increase in self-efficacy, while both intervention groups reported feeling more in control and relaxed. However, no significant differences in depression symptoms were observed among the groups, possibly due to the low depression scores of all participants at the study's outset.
In conclusion, these findings suggest that incorporating music and singing into prenatal care can positively impact maternal well-being, stress response, and the perceived closeness of expectant mothers to their infants. Singing, in particular, appears to offer more significant improvements in these areas compared to passive music listening. These results emphasize the potential benefits of integrating music-based interventions during pregnancy to support the emotional well-being of expectant mothers and foster stronger bonds between mothers and their infants.
Resources:
Wulff V, Hepp P, Wolf OT, Balan P, Hagenbeck C, Fehm T, Schaal NK. The effects of a music and singing intervention during pregnancy on maternal well-being and mother-infant bonding: a randomised, controlled study. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2021 Jan;303(1):69-83. doi: 10.1007/s00404-020-05727-8. Epub 2020 Aug 10. PMID: 32776296; PMCID: PMC7854426.