A prospective observational cohort study of exposure to womb-like sounds to stabilize breathing and cardiovascular patterns in preterm neonates

Parga, Joanna Jean; Bhatt, Ravi; Kesavan, Kalpashri; Sim, Myung‐Shin; Karp, Harvey; Harper, Ronald M.; Zeltzer, Lonnie K.

doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1339269

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…An earlier study demonstrated the potential for appropriate auditory stimulation to mediate particular autonomic developmental changes. [ 15 ] The objective here was to determine the nature of sound exposure to the fetus during development that would presumably act as a calming influence, and could support autonomic and respiratory development. The potential to adequately assess the nature of sound exposure demonstrated here is essential to ensure appropriate exposure in the NICU for acoustical support for the neonate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Womb-like sounds may be a powerful tool in aiding cardiorespiratory stability, pain mitigation, and sleep promotion in infants. [ 11 – 15 ] Instead of simply reducing sound levels, recreating the intra-uterine sound environment may be a means to promote infant development in the NICU. [ 15 ] Recreating other in utero sensory experiences is beneficial; for example, maternal stimulation and involvement leads to better outcomes for babies born early with practices like kangaroo care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 11 – 15 ] Instead of simply reducing sound levels, recreating the intra-uterine sound environment may be a means to promote infant development in the NICU. [ 15 ] Recreating other in utero sensory experiences is beneficial; for example, maternal stimulation and involvement leads to better outcomes for babies born early with practices like kangaroo care. [ 16 ] However, before such a possibility could be tested, sound recordings that faithfully assess the intrauterine experience are needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A description of externally recorded womb sounds in human subjects during gestation

et al. 2018

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ObjectiveReducing environmental noise benefits premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), but excessive reduction may lead to sensory deprivation, compromising development. Instead of minimal noise levels, environments that mimic intrauterine soundscapes may facilitate infant development by providing a sound environment reflecting fetal life. This soundscape may support autonomic and emotional development in preterm infants. We aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of external non-invasive recordings in pregnant women, endeavoring to capture intra-abdominal or womb sounds during pregnancy with electronic stethoscopes and build a womb sound library to assess sound trends with gestational development. We also compared these sounds to popular commercial womb sounds marketed to new parents.Study designIntra-abdominal sounds from 50 mothers in their second and third trimester (13 to 40 weeks) of pregnancy were recorded for 6 minutes in a quiet clinic room with 4 electronic stethoscopes, placed in the right upper and lower quadrants, and left upper and lower quadrants of the abdomen. These recording were partitioned into 2-minute intervals in three different positions: standing, sitting and lying supine. Maternal and gestational age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and time since last meal were collected during recordings. Recordings were analyzed using long-term average spectral and waveform analysis, and compared to sounds from non-pregnant abdomens and commercially-marketed womb sounds selected for their availability, popularity, and claims they mimic the intrauterine environment.ResultsMaternal sounds shared certain common characteristics, but varied with gestational age. With fetal development, the maternal abdomen filtered high (500–5,000 Hz) and mid-frequency (100–500 Hz) energy bands, but no change appeared in contributions from low-frequency signals (10–100 Hz) with gestational age. Variation appeared between mothers, suggesting a resonant chamber role for intra-abdominal space. Compared to commercially-marketed sounds, womb signals were dominated by bowel sounds, were of lower frequency, and showed more variation in intensity.ConclusionsHigh-fidelity intra-abdominal or womb sounds during pregnancy can be recorded non-invasively. Recordings vary with gestational age, and show a predominance of low frequency noise and bowel sounds which are distinct from popular commercial products. Such recordings may be utilized to determine whether sounds influence preterm infant development in the NICU.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A description of externally recorded womb sounds in human subjects during gestation

et al. 2018

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“…Since 2000, Music Therapy has been used in NICUs as a standard care to promote a healthier neurological, socio-affective development for the premature baby, and to support caregivers with a non-pharmacological treatment [ 13 ]. The soundscape of the NICU is full of potentially harmful stimuli, and in this setting, music therapy uses music (from live sessions or other technological devices) and specific recorded sounds, such as the mother’s voice [ 14 ] or her heartbeat [ 15 ], to mimic the ideal intrauterine environment, with empirically proven benefits on premature vital signs [ 16 ], cardiorespiratory stability, cortisol reduction [ 17 , 18 ], sleep-wake cycle, pain perception [ 19 ], and brain development (cognitive and sensory abilities) [ 20 ].…”

Section: Music Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory Stimulation in the NICU Environment: Devices, Systems, and Procedures to Protect and Stimulate Premature Babies

Vitale

Chirico

Lentini³

2021

Children

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Prematurity deprives infants of the prenatal sensory stimulation essential to their correct development; in addition, the stressful environment of the NICU impacts negatively on their growth. The purpose of this review was to investigate the effects of NICU noise pollution on preterm infants and parents. We focused on the systems and projects used to control and modulate sounds, as well as on those special devices and innovative systems used to deliver maternal sounds and vibrations to this population. The results showed beneficial effects on the preterm infants in different areas such as physiological, autonomic, and neurobehavioral development. Although most of these studies highlight positive reactions, there is also a general acknowledgement of the current limits: small and heterogeneous groups, lack of structured variable measurements, systematic control groups, longitudinal studies, and normative values. The mother’s presence is always preferred, but the use of music therapy and the devices analyzed, although not able to replace her presence, aim to soften her absence through familiar and protective stimuli, which is a very powerful aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Birth, love, and fear: Physiological networks from pregnancy to parenthood

Grant

Erickson

2022

Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology

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A prospective observational cohort study of exposure to womb-like sounds to stabilize breathing and cardiovascular patterns in preterm neonates

Abstract: Exposing premature infants to womb-like sounds has the potential to reduce hypoxemic and bradycardic events, and be used as an intervention to stabilize breathing and cardiac control in preterm infants.

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

A description of externally recorded womb sounds in human subjects during gestation

A description of externally recorded womb sounds in human subjects during gestation

Sensory Stimulation in the NICU Environment: Devices, Systems, and Procedures to Protect and Stimulate Premature Babies

Birth, love, and fear: Physiological networks from pregnancy to parenthood

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