Pregnancy Period And Music – A Wonderful Combination

Influence of music on the fetus during pregnancy period is being widely discussed these days. According to some gynecologists the fetus can receive vibrations during the latter part of the pregnancy. It can perceive the vibrations after the fourth month of pregnancy. Music may help in fetal growth, as during the advanced stages of pregnancy period, the reception of the fetus increases. The vibrations of music act as external stimuli and influence the environment surrounding the fetus. She can see, hear, and feel – and that, of course, means she can rock to the beat! Other gynecologists suggest, any music that is soothing for the mother is also good for the baby. On the other hand, any music that disturbs the mother would also have similar effects on the baby during pregnancy.

Pregnancy: Mama Let’s Play Some Music

When baby hears the soothing sounds of music through her mother’s womb, first, it stimulates her ear, brain, and body to begin preparation for sound and language comprehension. Second, it lulls her into a calm, meditative state According to musicologists, rhythms, similar to the mother's heartbeat, have the most calming effect on babies in uterus in the pregnancy period. The classics are great, but most any music will do, as long as it’s calming. After she is born, play the same few songs for your baby that you played in your third trimester of pregnancy, and watch her remember the rhythms and feel soothed.

Listening to music works as an aid to relaxation to the expectant mother during pregnancy. This can help avoid pregnancy complications such as morning sickness, heartburn and pregnancy high blood pressure. Any music or even prayers and chants from any religion, classical, Western or even Jazz will be fine provided the expectant mother enjoy listening to it. The music must be soothing and has to have a rhythmic pattern to it. It relaxes the mother-to-be and thus the growth and development of the fetus is enhanced.

According to a recent research, newborns are able to digest the sound of voices and even information they have heard during the final weeks of pregnancy. In an experiment, babies less than 2 days old could tell which sounds they preferred to hear. They showed sucking preference when known sounds were made. Many mothers have stated to the researcher that their newborn babies seemed to prefer the same type of music that was played during their later stages of pregnancy.

Although there is no data to prove that music could help in the growth of the baby during pregnancy and experts are still skeptical about any direct influence of music on the fetus, but it is also true that the baby can receive sounds from the fifth month onwards. In addition, children exposed to music before birth, develop an ear for it after they are born.

It is said that unborn babies listening to orchestral or classical music through their mother’s womb during pregnancy period do better academically in future than the ones that do not. It's based on the premise that this type of music stimulates more parts of the brain simultaneously thus building better connectors and receptors to help in the future to retain and process information. So, be ready to play your favorite music, enjoy and let your baby enjoy the same through you.

Pregnancy is a blissful time and the mother should try to remain happy to avoid pregnancy complications like pregnancy morning sickness or pregnancy high blood pressure. Music can help the mother to stay healthy and happy for a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy Period provides all information that you need for a healthy pregnancy and to enjoy this glorious period of your life.

Food in Pregnancy


It's the time you took a long hard look at your diet and told yourself that you need to change some of your eating habits. Now, eating is not just about filling your stomach, but feeding two people. Yes, you're right - sounds like loads of food. And to some extent, it is. But you needn't worry. As usual, nature has provided for every eventuality and you will begin to eat more simply because your stomach will growl louder and more frequently.

And there is nothing to get upset about. The best guide to eating well so that your baby gets all she needs, is to eat a healthy and balanced meal. Sure you will put on weight, but then the fat is being stored in your body for the baby. So, for this once, you can convince yourself that eating and putting on weight is not a bad thing. Weight gain is also a very important sign of how the pregnancy is progressing. A full-term pregnancy usually means a weight gain of 10 to 12 kgs. But don't panic if you have put on a little more than that. You will start losing it the moment you start breastfeeding.

Not eating well will rob your baby of calories and nutrients. This could result in a premature delivery, low birth rate or higher chances of health problems.

Eating well, but not more than necessary
While nutrition is what you need to concentrate on, your daily calorie needs during the first trimester are the same as they were before pregnancy (approx. 2200 calories - this will differ depending on your height, weight and activity level). This will increase by only 100 to 300 calories per day during the second and third trimesters. The calorie requirements during this period too differ from woman to woman. But more than anything, what you need most are vitamins and minerals.

Nothing could be easier, if you eat according to the Food Guide Pyramid. That would not only be best for your baby, but also for you as you would not put on unnecessary weight - which can also cause problems and doesn't necessarily lead to a healthier baby.

Food Guide Pyramid

# Six or more daily servings of grains - preferably full grain. Chapatti, rice, breads and other grain products provide B vitamins. If they're whole grains, they also provide trace minerals, such as chromium, iron and selenium and add fibre to prevent constipation, haemorrhoids and other inconveniences of pregnancy.
# Five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables. These supply beta-carotene, vitamin C and folic acid. All of these nutrients are essential for your health and that of your developing baby.
# Three to four daily servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy products. Milk and other dairy products supply protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B2 and magnesium - nutrients essential for the baby's normal bone, muscle, and nerve function.
# Three daily servings of extra-lean meats or other protein sources. Chicken, fish and cooked dried beans and peas provide protein, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and other B vitamins - nutrients necessary for the baby's blood, muscle, and nerve development.