How was the scientific study conducted?
The study focused on getting the foetus to perceive a higher intensity of sound. To do this, we designed Babypod to deliver music from the mother’s vagina.
The study was carried out on pregnant patients at our centre who were between 14 and 39 weeks gestation. Throughout the work, the research team observed the foetus’s reaction to music emitted via the abdominal and vaginal routes by ultrasound. They also compared results by emitting vibrations without music from the vagina.
The music used in the published study was by Johann Sebastian Bach, specifically Partita in A Minor for Flute Alone – BWV 1013.
In the ultrasound scans prior to the start of the stimuli, the researchers observed that approximately 45% of the foetuses spontaneously showed head and limb movements, 30% spontaneously showed mouth or tongue movements and 10% spontaneously stuck out their tongues. This is what a foetus normally does when awake.
Comparison of foetal response to different sound stimuli
Prior to the ultrasound, the pregnant patient was fitted with the vaginal device designed for the study, which emits an average sound intensity of 54 decibels (the equivalent of a low-pitched conversation or background music).
Eighty-seven per cent of the foetuses reacted with non-specific movements of the head and limbs, and specific movements of the mouth and tongue, which ceased when the music stopped. In addition, with vaginal music, about 50% of the foetuses reacted with a very striking movement, opening their jaws wide and sticking out their tongues as far as possible.
Headphones were placed on the pregnant woman's abdomen, emitting music with an average sound intensity of 98.6 decibels (equivalent to an ambulance siren or music in a discotheque).
During this part of the study, no changes were observed in the facial expressions of the foetuses.
To find out if the foetal reaction was due to sound wave vibration (i.e. mechanical, non-musical vibration), the pregnant patient put on a vaginal vibrator like those used as a sex toy. The team of researchers performed the ultrasound scans, emitting sound vibrations at an average intensity of 68 decibels (the equivalent of a high-pitched conversation). In this part of the study, we also observed no changes in the facial expressions of the foetuses.
With vaginal music, 87% of the foetuses reacted by making mouth and tongue movements. With music from the abdomen and vaginal vibration, there was no change.
Key findings of the study
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We know that the inner ear is fully developed at week 16 of gestation, but until now medical literature could only confirm a functioning auditory system from week 26. This research study shows for the first time that the fetus begins hearing at week 16.
The fetus receives sounds from inside the mother's body, such as her heartbeat, breathing and intestinal activity. It also perceives sounds the mother makes, such as when she is speaking or walking with high heels, in addition to other external sounds.
The fetus is well-protected from noise. The fact that it is living in a soundproof environment means that perceived sounds are distorted, as has been shown in research done on sheep using intrauterine microphones. According to this research, the majority of sounds are perceived as whispers (around 30 decibels), while the motherís voice during normal conversation (60 decibels) is barely discerned at all (24 decibels).
And, as most sounds are repetitive, the fetus becomes accustomed to them and does not react. They do not prevent the fetus from sleeping.
We could say that the sounds heard in utero are like the background rustles heard in a forest.
It is only possible through a single route, the vaginal route.
The vagina is a closed space, so sound is not dispersed into the environment. In addition, there are fewer layers of soft tissue separating the baby from the sound source, only the vaginal and uterine walls. By placing a speaker in the vagina, the barrier of the abdominal wall is removed and the baby can hear the sounds almost as loudly and clearly as they are emitted.
Before the scan, the pregnant patient inserted the intravaginal device designed for the study, which emits an average sound intensity of 54 decibels (equivalent to a conversation in low voices or background music).
87% of fetuses reacted with non-specific head and limb movements, accompanied by specific mouth and tongue movements which stopped when the music stopped. Likewise, with intravaginal music, nearly 50% of fetuses reacted with a striking movement, opening their jaw very wide and sticking out their tongue as far as it would go.
A set of headphones which emitted music with an average intensity of 98.6 decibels (equivalent to an ambulance siren or music in a nightclub) were placed on the pregnant womanís abdomen.
No changes were observed in fetal facial expression during this part of the study.
As we are looking at a response and not simply a reflex, the reaction of the fetus depends on multiple factors, which is why it is different each time. It varies depending on the neuronal activity of the brain stem at that particular moment, which means that the response could depend on the sleep phase the fetus is in or blood sugar levels. For example, when we sing to a baby, the response differs depending on whether the child is hungry, thirsty or sleepy.
