Singing Irish Traditional Lullabies Reduces Stress in Pregnangy

Research at the University of Limerick's (UL) school of nursing and midwifery has discovered that learning traditional Irish lullabies can reduce stress for both mother and child during pregnancy. The research was spearheaded by Irish traditional composer Micheal O Suilleabháin who is also director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and professor of UL's world music centre. Other collaborators included the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The theory is that the average 60-72 BPM of the lullabies is at the same tempo of a resting human heart.

The research was carried out with expecting mothers at the Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital's antenatal education classes. The lullabies were in turn taught by Kathleen Turner of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and Oscar Mascarenes, director of the BA in voice and dance at the Irish world academy of music and dance. Expecting mothers were taught traditional Irish as well as international songs. Songs that have existed for centuries as well as more recent compositions.

Women learned songs and were asked to fill in questionnaires both during and after pregnancy. The data is currently being examined and the findings are expected to be presented soon. If I do hear any more news regarding this I will post it here.

Meanwhile you can see an article on it in the Irish Independent here