Effects of prenatal music stimulation on fetal cardiotocographic parameters

Introduction
Prenatal musical stimulation seems to be very safe, accessible to all women and the least invasive so it should be recommended in the obstetrical care. The purpose of this study was to analyze fetal cardiotocographic parameters during exposure to music.

Material and methods
51 women in the third trimester of pregnancy at the mean gestational age of 37 weeks were involved in the study. The first Non Stress Test (NST) was conducted without music stimulation. Next two cardiotocography tests were conducted with a music stimulation. After 10 and 20 minutes of recording, a cardiotocographic analysis was printed.

Results
During the exposure to classical music, a significant increase in the number fetal movements (p < 0.0001), accelerations > 10 BPM (p < 0.0003), accelerations > 15 BPM (p < 0.0006), short-term variability (p < 0.0001) and long-term variability (p < 0.0001) was observed. Only 20 minutes of exposure to music resulted in a considerable increase in the number fetal movements (p < 0.0001), accelerations > 10 BPM (p < 0.0001) and accelerations > 15 BPM (p < 0.0001), short-term variability (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions
Exposure to the music of W.A. Mozart changed significantly more parameters of the fetus in comparison to the music by J. Strauss. An appropriately selected piece of music and the time of exposure to music is of meaning as far as the parameters of the fetus are concerned. The study should be continued, since exposure to music might also prove useful in reducing the time required for performing c(NST).