Music therapy-assisted childbirth and its effects on duration of labor, medication dosage, and fetal heart rate

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine if the use of music, supplemental to childbirth education training, would affect length of labor, medication dosage, and fetal heart rate. Twenty-five expectant mothers enrolled in childbirth preparation classes were randomly assigned into the following experimental and control groups: (a) Experimental group #1--music therapy training (environmental music) and childbirth preparation training; (b) Experimental group #2--music therapy training (environmental music) with auditory fetal stimulation and childbirth preparation training; (c) Childbirth preparation training only (control group). Experimental groups participated in two individual music therapy sessions approximately three-four weeks prior to their expected delivery date. Throughout labor, experimental subjects listened to subject-selected music. Continuous, decibel-controlled music was transmitted directly to fetuses in experimental group #2. Following delivery, experimental subjects participated in labor and delivery according to standard hospital procedures. Data analysis was based on duration of labor, medication dosage during labor, and fetal heart rate accelerations and decelerations. Analysis of variance indicated that music had no significant effect on length of labor or fetal heart rate accelerations and decelerations. Results from a Chi-Square analysis showed no significant differences between groups on the amount of medication received during labor. Post-partum questionnaire responses indicated that all experimental subjects viewed music therapy-assisted childbirth as a positive experience and would use music for future childbirths. It was concluded that further investigation is needed, with a larger sample, to explore and isolate both the physiological and psychological components involved in incorporating music therapy with childbirth.

Note: auditory-fetal-stimulation.

Keyword(s): Childbirth, labor-duration, medication-dosage, questionnaires, fetal-heart-rate, childbirth-education-training,

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