The Effect of Music in a Developing Fetus
The Effect of Music in a Developing Fetus
Kimberly C. Camacho
ENG101
December 16, 2012
Asiah Wolfolk-Manning
A study that was done by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services (2011) stated that two to three of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing, and more lose their hearing later during childhood. As a fetus develops in the mother’s uterus there are things that a mother needs to be concern about. The mother must take care of herself in order for her to take care of her growing baby. Mothers who do not secure their fetus in a safe environment are risking the chance of their child experiencing birth defects at birth. Every mother wants to give birth to a healthy child. It can be heartbreaking for a mother to find out that their child has been born with a birth defect such as a hearing problem or possibly having a deaf child. Music has a powerful effect to our emotions, and it can affect the way we think. Music can calm the baby but mothers should be aware of the possibilities of birth defects, such as, hard-hearing, deaf, and even death.
Many mothers have a concern if music is the best thing for their growing fetus or can it harm the fetus. There have been many articles stating that classical music helps make the baby become smarter but there are no proven scientific facts. Classical music is most suggested for the unborn to listen to because it can stimulate the baby and can come out with positive results (Pregnancy-info.net, 2012). Exposure to loud chaotic music can cause some birth defects when baby is born (Coila, 2012). Classical music has had a positive impact on the pregnant woman, which makes people believe that it has the same impact on the fetus. The smoothing sounds of the classical music has proven to be more relaxing and can help lower blood pressure, heart burn and morning sickness for some. A study done in the 1990s showed that listening to the classic pianist Mozart can help improve spatial
Kimberly C. Camacho
ENG101
December 16, 2012
Asiah Wolfolk-Manning
A study that was done by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services (2011) stated that two to three of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing, and more lose their hearing later during childhood. As a fetus develops in the mother’s uterus there are things that a mother needs to be concern about. The mother must take care of herself in order for her to take care of her growing baby. Mothers who do not secure their fetus in a safe environment are risking the chance of their child experiencing birth defects at birth. Every mother wants to give birth to a healthy child. It can be heartbreaking for a mother to find out that their child has been born with a birth defect such as a hearing problem or possibly having a deaf child. Music has a powerful effect to our emotions, and it can affect the way we think. Music can calm the baby but mothers should be aware of the possibilities of birth defects, such as, hard-hearing, deaf, and even death.
Many mothers have a concern if music is the best thing for their growing fetus or can it harm the fetus. There have been many articles stating that classical music helps make the baby become smarter but there are no proven scientific facts. Classical music is most suggested for the unborn to listen to because it can stimulate the baby and can come out with positive results (Pregnancy-info.net, 2012). Exposure to loud chaotic music can cause some birth defects when baby is born (Coila, 2012). Classical music has had a positive impact on the pregnant woman, which makes people believe that it has the same impact on the fetus. The smoothing sounds of the classical music has proven to be more relaxing and can help lower blood pressure, heart burn and morning sickness for some. A study done in the 1990s showed that listening to the classic pianist Mozart can help improve spatial
References: 1. Pregnancy-info.net. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.pregnancy-info.net/music-and-your-fetus.html 2. Coila, B. (2012). Livestrong.com. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/534339-can-loud-noises-hurt-my-unborn-baby/ 3. Arabin, B. (2002, November). Music During Pregnancy. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRIC AND GYNECOLOGY, 20(5), 425-430. EBSCO Host. 4. NHS Knowledge Service, (2007, October 7). Music During Pregnancy. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Behind the Headlines Web site: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/10October/Pages/Musicduringpregnancy.aspx 5. Weinhouse, B Boosting Baby’s Brain Power in Utero. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Your Baby Today Web site: http://www.mybabyconnection.com/Includes/YourBabyTodayArticles/BoostingBabysBrainPower.html 6. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2011). Retrieved from http://report.nih.gov/NIHfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=104 7. Whiting, K. (2008). Articlesbase. Retrieved from http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/3-types-of-music-you-must-avoid-if-you-are-pregnant-444757.html 8. American Academy of Pediatrics, (1997, October). Noise: A Hazard for the Fetus and Newborn. Pediatrics, 100, Retrieved March 21, 2009, from http://www.medem.com/medlib/article/ZZZGY7Q669C