Childbirth and the discovery of the soprano

It probably comes as no surprise that, for most women, childbirth is a stressful and painful process. Most of the significant discomfort occurs during labor when hormones cause the uterus to rhythmically contract and the cervix to efface (get thinner) and dilate. The first stage of labor begins at the onset of contractions and lasts until the cervix (the opening of the uterus) is fully dilated. This can last anywhere from two to more than 24 hours, and labor tends to be longer with the first child. The second stage of labor is the time after the cervix is fully dilated until the baby is born. This usually last 1-2 hours. After the baby is born in the third stage of labor, the placenta is passed, but this generally is not painful.

Throughout most of human history, the birthing process has taken place in relative privacy and without the use of anesthesia or formal prenatal care or instruction. Family members, nurse-midwives, skilled tribal personnel and ‘good Samaritans’ used whatever skills or intuition they had to help deliver the baby and comfort the mother. In many areas of the world, this is still the norm.

Lights, action, labor unions…

It is unknown if music was used historically to assist the mother during the actual labor and delivery period. Music would have to have been performed live as recorded music was not available until the early part of the 20th Century. Obviously, this would have presented some technical difficulties.

I have my MTV, but I WANT MY (expletive) EPIDURAL NOW!

Fortunately, anesthetics and aesthetics are widely available today to help ease the mother’s pain. Obstetricians and anesthesiologists avoid medications which might prolong the delivery or compromise the baby. Many women choose to enhance and ease their childbearing experience by using music. Music is readily available in most delivery rooms, and parents are usually able to bring in their own 'boomboxes' and recordings. There have been some small studies (see references below) conducted with music and music therapy during childbirth; however, the number of women who use music and how they use it is largely unknown.

One recent study contained anecdotal comments of mothers describing their experiences using music and music therapy while they were in labor. Browning, in the December, 2000, issue of Birth, reported that all of the women in the study (n=11) found that music assisted with relaxation. Some reported that it helped them "focus on the task and assisted in withdrawal from pain."

Help E.R. with O.B.

ERMusic.org is conducting a survey to help better define the role of music during the birthing process. If you are a woman and have had children, we would greatly appreciate your participation in this study.

We at E.R. Music are grateful to readers who inform us about new research being published involving music and childbirth. We will review the studies and incorporate them into this chapter. Please join our mailing list if you would like to be informed of the latest developments.

Copyright 2007, E.R. Music, LLC

Further Reading

Browning, “Using Music During Childbirth,” Birth 27:4, December 2000

Clark, et al, “Music Therapy-Assisted Labor and Delivery,” Journal of Music Therapy, XVIII (2), 1981, 89-100

Durham, “The Effect of Music as a Conditioning Aid in Prepared Childbirth Education,” JOGNN, May/June 1986

Hanser, et al, “The Effect of Music on Relaxation of Expectant Mothers During Labor,” Journal of Music Therapy, XX (2), 50-58

Liebman, Sammi, “The Effects of Music and Relaxation on Third Trimester Anxiety in Adolescent Pregnancy,” Journal of Music Therapy, XXXVII (2), 1991, 89-100

Sammons, “The Use of Music by Women During Childbirth,” Sammons, Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, Vol.29, No. 4, July/August 1984