The effects of a music and singing intervention during pregnancy on maternal well-being and mother–infant bonding: a randomised, controlled study

Abstract

Purpose Stress and impaired mother–infant bonding during pregnancy can lead to adverse effects for the expectant mother and the unborn child. The present study investigates whether a prenatal music and singing intervention can improve maternal well-being as well as mother–infant bonding. Methods A total of 172 pregnant women took part in this prospective, randomised, three-armed (music, singing or control group) study. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, maternal well-being and mother–infant bonding were assessed with visual analogue scales and questionnaires before the intervention phase (30th week of gestation) and afterwards (36th week of gestation). Additionally, immediate changes regarding experienced stress and mood from before until after the music and singing interventions were explored with questionnaires as well as saliva samples (for cortisol, alpha-amylase and oxytocin determination). Results Regarding immediate effects, both interventions showed positive effects on the emotional state, stress (cortisol) and bonding (oxytocin). Additionally, the singing group showed a larger reduction in cortisol and a larger improvement in valence than the music group. Looking at more prolonged effects, significant effects on general self-efficacy and perceived closeness to the unborn child (measured with a visual analogue scale) were found. No significant effects were revealed for the mother–infant bonding questionnaire and for depressive symptoms. Conclusion In the present study, promising effects of music and in particular singing on maternal well-being and perceived closeness during pregnancy appeared. Prenatal music and singing interventions could be an easy to implement and effective addition to improve mood and well-being of the expectant mother and support mother-infant bonding. Trial registration number DRKS00012822, date of registration: 17.10.2017

The influence of maternal singing on well-being, postpartum depression and bonding – a randomised, controlled trial

“…In the initial period after birth, the variety of interaction is very restricted and during the first weeks the interaction is dominated by caring for the substantial infant's needs and in particular (breast-) feeding [54]. Beyond that, singing can be an additional way to interact with the baby and leads to a stronger bonding between mother and child [20,31]. Furthermore it is possible to induce infant feedback through singing like attention towards the mother or relaxation [31,55].…”

“…Furthermore, Nwebube, Glover and Stewart [19] showed that pregnant women who listened to special composed songs for pregnant women report lower anxiety and depression scores compared to a control group that conducted daily relaxation. In a study by Wulff et al [20] the immediate and more prolonged effects of a music and a singing intervention were explored in pregnant women during the last trimester of pregnancy. Immediate improvements of salivary cortisol, oxytocin and maternal mood were found while the expectant mother listened to music or sang lullabies for the unborn baby.…”

How music may support perinatal mental health: an overview

“…Research has also focused on the psychoneuroimmunology effects of music (Fancourt et al 2014). For example, in a recent three-armed randomised control trial (n = 743), researchers investigated the effects of listening to relaxing music, versus participation in a singing class led by a music therapist, compared with treatment as usual on maternal well-being and mother-infant bonding (Wulff et al 2021). The participants in the singing group participated in two singing classes, conducted by a music therapist, who led the participants in children's songs and lullabies accompanied by live guitar.…”

Il canto nelle cure primarie pediatriche

“…Cantare off re una sensazione di benessere al genitore. Se il canto avviene già durante la gravidanza la madre percepisce più vicinanza verso il fi glio, migliora il proprio senso di autoeffi cacia e di controllo degli stati emotivi, riduce il cortisolo salivare e aumenta il livello di ossitocina durante l'attività di canto in misura maggiore rispetto all'ascolto di una musica o a nessun intervento [19]. Uno studio condotto su 43 diadi con bimbi di età 3-14 mesi ha confrontato la connessione emotiva madre-bambino, gli affetti (positivi/negativi), il livello di ansia e lo stress, valutato attraverso la misurazione degli ormoni salivari, dopo una mezz'ora di interazione di gruppo (8-10 diadi) musicale o di gioco libero.…”