The Limerick Lullaby project: An intervention to relieve prenatal stress

Background: stress during pregnancy is common and has been linked to a range of poorer maternal and infant outcomes. Treatment options are few, however, due to difficulties of diagnosis and concerns about the impact of medication on the developing fetus. Singing is an activity with stress reducing and other benefits that may be worth exploring. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of singing lullabies during pregnancy. Methods: participants were recruited at antenatal classes at a metropolitan maternity hospital in Ireland. Six pregnant women participated and learnt to sing three lullabies over four group sessions with musicians. Qualitative in depth interviews were conducted approximately three months later to capture the women's experiences. Key findings: participants unanimously reported a sense of satisfaction with their participation and all would recommend the programme to a friend. Findings suggest that learning to sing lullabies in pregnancy benefited women in terms of relaxation, in feeling closer to their infants, in connecting with other pregnant women and in providing an additional tool for communication in the early newborn period. Some women described profound feelings of love and connection with the unborn infant while singing the lullabies. Implications for practice: the principal value of this intervention is that it is non-pharmacological and easy to implement. At the same time, it appears to be an enjoyable exercise for pregnant women and to have an effect on reducing maternal stress and encouraging infant attachment.