Healing the world with music, one song at a time.
MUSIC THERAPY ASSISTED CHILDBIRTH
is an evidence-based, medical music therapy program offered by a Board-Certified Music Therapist with specialty training as a Sound Birthing MTACB practitioner. Sound Birthing MTACB includes support for birthing families during prenatal, labor, birth, and the immediate post-partum period. Participating in this program has been found to significantly decrease anxiety and discomfort responses during pregnancy and labor as well as decrease the need for analgesic medications during labor and birth. Participants report overall positive feelings about the labor and birth experience and enhanced bonding and connection between parents and babies.
Birthing clients are taught how to use music to support their physical and emotional needs throughout the stages of labor and delivery. The MT-BC assists the client in selecting and applying a specially chosen music program to calm, comfort, block discomfort, and focus breathing. The MT-BC may also provide instruction in imagery and relaxation techniques, movement training, singing of lullabies and womb songs, and other creative arts experiences.
YOUR MUSIC THERAPY ASSISTED CHILDBIRTH:
Three prenatal sessions which includes education about the labor and birth process, customized birth plans, labor and birth rehearsal, and Nightly Practice Session Program.
Support during the labor and birth experience by a Sound Birthing Music Therapist
One postpartum session to share birth log and experience, answer questions, using music after birth, and music in daily routines
Also includes:
- unlimited phone, text, and email support throughout pregnancy
- music therapist on-call 24/7 from two weeks prior to due date until baby arrives
- access to library of Sound Birthing Music Playlists for your labor and birth experience
- a Womb Song (a special original bonding song written for your baby)
Our services are customizable based on your needs and preferences. We also offer a complimentary, no obligation first meeting where we can get to know each other and see if we are a good fit.
MORE ABOUT SOUND BIRTHING™ MUSIC THERAPY
Although there have been advancements in anesthesia for labor and delivery in recent years, many couples today choose to have a natural childbirth experience. It has been substantiated by research that birth outcomes for mother and baby can be greatly enhanced through the natural childbirth process. Many freestanding and hospital based family birthing centers are popping up around the country to meet this growing need. Several non-pharmacological interventions are available to laboring mothers including hypnosis, biofeedback, touch and massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation.
Another successful discomfort management technique being explored is the application of prepared music programs through Sound Birthing™ Music Therapy.
RESEARCH
In a study of 14 couples who participated in a Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth program it was found that music therapy was very beneficial during the labor and delivery process (DiCamillo, 1999). The use of music during labor and delivery was most effective in supporting (rhythmic) breathing (86%), remaining calm (86%), focus (71%), and in discomfort management (64%). Clients who practiced the techniques at home and who were familiar with their music felt in control and had more positive birth experiences. Many of the clients (64%), felt in control most of the time during labor and delivery. Imagery techniques were effective when paired with the music, and (71%) stated that these techniques were the most beneficial. All of the clients (100%) felt well supported during labor and delivery. All participants (100%) stated that the music therapy program enhanced family bonding with the baby during the immediate postpartum period.
In another case study by DiCamillo (2000), Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth was found to greatly enhance the birth outcome of an emergency preterm delivery of an infant (33 weeks gestation) due to the client’s condition of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure). Due to the client’s precarious medical condition while in labor, the physician recommended against epidural anesthesia. The client was able to have an unmedicated, vaginal birth which is what she desired using only music for discomfort relief. The baby was breathing on its own at birth and did not require ventilation. Both mother and baby are doing fine today.
*DiCamillo, M. (1999). A biopsychosocial model of music therapy assisted childbirth: an integrative approach to working with families. Doctoral Dissertation, Pepperdine University
*DiCamillo, M. (2000). Music therapy assisted childbirth: a case study of an emergency highrisk preterm delivery due to pregnancy-induced hypertension. International Music Society for Prenatal Development Review, 12, 2, 813.
FUNCTIONS OF MUSIC IN LABOR
- Supports breathing
- Induces a calm, relaxing state
- Facilitates movement/position change
- Enhances comfort
- Evokes imagery
- Builds energy
- Creates or change a mood
- Helps you expresses feelings: joy, fear, frustration
- Fills the space with pleasant sounds: masking sounds of medical equipment
- Helps you pass the time
- Encourages reminiscence, and thinking of pleasant memories
- Helps you to let go during labor
- Supports joy in the experience
- Helps you connect with your baby
- Helps you connect with your birth partner
7 FOUNDATIONAL PROCESSES OF MUSIC DURING LABOR AND BIRTH
Biological- Music changes biology- is used to support a laboring mother to regulate breathing, lower blood pressure and respiration, and decrease discomfort.
Psychological- Music enhances the ability to use coping mechanisms during labor (childbirth techniques), and may seem as though that time is passing faster than it is.
Sociological- Music evokes social support from others and holds the birthing team together including: coach, nurses, doctors, doula, family members, and music therapist.
Emotional- Music can be used to match or affirm moods and feelings the laboring mother is experiencing (iso principle) or may be used to help her change her mood.
Developmental- Music can support the process of becoming a mother, help her to work through her fears and to let go.
Spiritual- Music can enhance and support spiritual processes of the laboring mother and may evoke a peak or transpersonal experience.
Environmental- Music can be very important in blocking out extraneous sounds in the birth environment that may interfere with the laboring woman’s entrainment process. Music also provides a “sound blanket” which fills the space and wraps the birthing mother in sounds of comfort and safety.
DiCamillo, Mary P., Ph.D. (1999). A bio-psycho-social model of music therapy assisted childbirth: an integrative approach to working with families. Doctoral dissertation, Pepperdine University, CA.