It's Official: Music can help preemies with pain

"Music may reduce pain and improve behavioral states in premature infants, researchers found."

LITTLE FALLS, N.J., May 29 -- Music may reduce pain and improve behavioral states in premature infants, researchers found.

A systematic review of nine studies investigating the effects of music on outcomes in premature babies found preliminary evidence for therapeutic benefits, Manoj Kumar, M.D., of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and colleagues reported online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

But because of the methodological weaknesses of some of the studies included in the review, a meta-analysis could not be performed and the findings need to be confirmed in more rigorous trials, they said.
Music is increasingly being used in neonatal units to improve behavioral or physiological outcomes and to manage pain during common procedures. Benefits include calmer infants and parents, stable physiological parameters, higher oxygen saturation, faster weight gain, and shorter hospital stays, the researchers said.

To document such benefits, the researchers conducted a review of nine randomized trials reported between 1989 and 2006 that studied use of music on outcomes in neonates. Six studies evaluated music for painful procedures including circumcision and heel prick.

The studies used various types of music, but lullabies were the most common.

The methodological quality of the studies was generally poor, the researchers said.

One high-quality pilot study of 23 infants undergoing circumcision showed benefits of music for the outcomes of heart rate, oxygen saturation, and pain, while two low-quality studies found no difference.

Three studies evaluated the effects of music on pain from heel prick, and found it may be beneficial for measures of behavior and pain, but they were of low quality, the researchers said.

One study of music-reinforced non-nutritive sucking among 32 poorly feeding preterm infants found a significant increase in oral feeding rates compared with controls.

The researchers said it would be of particular interest to confirm the effects of using music to improve oral feeding rates, which could have the potential of "saving finite useful healthcare resources."

Another showed significant benefits in terms of heart rate and behavioral scores with recorded music versus no music in stable preterm infants.

But one methodologically strong study found no difference on the effects of recorded instrumental lullabies in 22 preterm infants with chronic lung disease compared with a no-music control group.

In general, the researchers said, the studies demonstrate that music may be beneficial in terms of behavioral states and pain, although they showed inconsistent effects overall on physiological measures.

Therefore, they said, benefits need to be confirmed in future well-designed, high quality trials.
By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: May 29, 2009
Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston and
Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner

How early can the baby hear?

Of all the questions that I get, I think one of the top five is "how early can my baby hear outside the womb?" It's hard to imagine, but for centuries people actually thought the baby was in a deep cocoon and that the ears began to function after birth! Of course we've known for well over a hundred years now that the baby does hear long before birth. Most embryologists will tell you that around the beginning of the 2nd month, many unborn babies ears begin to be functional and will be able to hear mother's heartbeat, circulation, and digestive sounds! Some women have known that all along...those that are tuned in to their bodies and aware that often the baby will "wake up" or move vigorously when Mom talks loudly or is around a sudden noise.
That's one reason that keeping the expectant Mom in a healthy sonic environment is so important. Try to avoid:

• arguing and loud, disagreeable conversations
• fireworks and explosions
• loud music of any kind whether rap, rock and roll or even classical
• sudden or persistant drilling, hammering or other such noises

What's the best kind of sonic environment?

• calming soothing conversations or music
• singing and talking to baby, beginning in the second trimester
• happy and positive interactions in Mom's day
• keep any conflict to a minimum

Of course there are babies born all the time into conflictual families, even in war zones, and they survive and even thrive! Humans are resilient creatures and can withstand unbelievable odds and hardships. But if you want to provide the optimal environment, follow as many of these suggestions as you can!

Preggatinis: Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Mom-to-be!

Well here's some good news! On these hot summer evenings there IS something beautiful and refreshing that pregnant Moms can sip with no guilty conscience! These lovely concoctions are call "Pregga-tinis" and they are yummy! You're not going to be left out of cocktail hour. A woman named Natalie Bovis-Nelse, also known as "The Liquid Music" shares some of her favorite recipes for the mom-to-be.

The first drink is called "The Inside Spa" and its purpose is to hydrate your baby-making organs from the inside-out! This refreshing cucumber concoction also contains some cayenne pepper, believed to stimulate internal cleansing! Here's the recipe:

1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

1 ounce sparkling water

Pour diced cucumber into a food processor. Add lemon joice and sugar and blend on low for 1 minute. Pour mixture into a large, ice-filled coctail glass. Top with sparling water and sprinkle with a pinch of ground cayenne peper.

The second drink is called "The Cosmom." If you 'd like this recipe, just contact me! Safe pregnancy!

Does Music help during a Caesarian delivery?

Music during caesarean section
In this Cochrane review, the authors attempt to gain insight into the effects of music on mothers and infants during cesarean section.
First, the details.
1 study involving 76 women (64 women evaluated) who planned to have their babies delivered by caesarean section was identified.
The study was of poor quality.
And, the results.
Music was provided from the beginning of anesthesia to the end of surgery.
The women’s heart rates were reduced by about 7 beats/minute.
Birth satisfaction scores increased by 3.4 points on a 35-point scale when women listened to music.
Respiration rates and anxiety were not affected.
The study didn’t report infant outcomes.
The bottom line?The authors concluded, “The findings indicate that music during planned caesarean section under regional anesthesia may improve pulse rate and birth satisfaction score. However, the magnitude of these benefits is small.”
6/25/09 18:10 JR

Circumcision pain may be eased with music

The decision to circumcise is a painful one in and of itself. Many studies report that the experience is traumatic and stressful for the baby. Parents struggle with the religious, social and cultural implications of their decision, as well as issues like hygiene and potential health concerns.

If parents ultimately give the green light on circumcision, the next decision involves how, when and who. Will anesthesia be used? Should the procedure be performed soon after birth? Would it be better to use a man or woman doctor? How much will it cost?

While circumcision rates in the U.S. have dropped by approximately 10 percent over the last 15 years, the WHO estimates that approximately 75 percent of U.S. boys are circumcised. But when the procedures are done, only 14 percent of physicians use anesthesia, even though the American Academy of Pediatricians indicates that the need for pain control is clear.

Perhaps that’s why neonatal units increasingly use music as a way to soothe babies. New research suggests that playing music helps to calm babies and lower heart rates during stressful practices like circumcision and heel pricks—done to all newborns to test blood for metabolic disorders. Manoj Kumar, M.D., and his team at the University of Alberta reviewed data from nine trials, including six that looked at music played while infants underwent painful procedures. They looked at oxygen saturation, heart rates, and respiratory rates to see if music made any difference. While some benefits were observed, the jury is out on any hard conclusions.

The way I view it, any measure taken to help the comfort of the baby is worthwhile. We’ve seen how music can positively impact the well-being of ill patients and help us regulate our stress levels, why not provide that potential benefit to our little boys?

Posted by Jeri_at_Health on Friday, May 29, 2009 8:36 AM

More on lullabies

Everyone loves lullabies, even grown-ups!  As a matter of fact, I'm listening to a lovely lullaby album right now and am seriously thinking of going straight to bed.  Why do people love lullabies? Oftentimes, they are familiar, easy-to-sing melodies that bring back positive associations and feelings.  If Mama or Grandma sang lullabies to you as an infant, chances are you had no words to say "I love it when you sing to me," or "I feel so safe and warm when you sing to me, please don't stop" and yet when you hear that familiar tune, your body and mind gets those warm, safe, cuddly feelings.  

If you have a child or a grandchild on the way, please think about getting my lullaby CD so that you can sing to your baby and instill these wonderful feelings of bonding and being loved!

What is prolactin and what does it do?

This afternoon I got a call from woman who was told by her doctor that her prolactin level is a litle bit high. She was told that it could affect her fertility and asked me exactly what prolactin is and what purposes it serves. I've done a little research on this and here is what I found: If you are having trouble getting pregnant, it may have something to do with your hormones. Hormones are special chemicals secreted by the glands in your body; they work on specific body parts in order to ensure proper functioning. Ovulation and menstruation are both triggered by hormone secretion. As a result, infertility is often caused by an imbalance in these hormones. Specifically, the hormone prolactin plays a large role in preventing some women from becoming pregnant.

What is Prolactin?  Prolactin is a chemical that is secreted by your pituitary gland. This is the pea-sized gland found in the middle of your brain, which is responsible for triggering many of your body's processes. Prolactin is found in both men and women and is released at various times throughout the day and night. Prolactin is generally released in order to stimulate milk production in pregnant women. It also enlarges a woman's mammary glands in order to allow her to prepare for breastfeeding.
Hormones that Affect ProlactinLike many of your body's other processes, the release of prolactin is actually triggered by other hormones. Hormones affecting prolactin include:
dopamine
serotonin
thyroid-producing hormone
Serotonin and thyroid hormone help to increase prolactin release, whereas dopamine works to block prolactin release.
Prolactin Changes During PregnancyWhen you are pregnant, prolactin changes are completely normal. In fact, your prolactin must increase in order to encourage the production of milk in your mammary glands. During pregnancy your hormones are all over the place. In particular, your estrogen levels begin to rise, and this is what stimulates the increase in your prolactin levels. After birth, as your baby breastfeeds, nipple stimulation will trigger a further increase in prolactin. Prolactin is what allows you to continue breastfeeding for an extended period of time.
Prolactin and Infertility Prolactin doesn't just cause your body to increase milk production - it also affects your ovulation and menstrual cycles. This is why it is nearly impossible to become pregnant when you are breastfeeding. (In fact, prolactin is 90% effective against pregnancy in the first months after birth).
Prolactin inhibits two hormones necessary to your ovulation: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Both of these hormones are responsible for helping your eggs to develop and mature in the ovaries, so that they can be released during ovulation. When you have excess prolactin in your bloodstream, ovulation is not triggered, and you will be unable to become pregnant. Prolactin may also affect your menstrual cycle and the regularity of your periods.
Prolactin IrregularitiesIf you are having difficulties becoming pregnant, it may be due to an irregularity in your prolactin levels. If your have elevated prolactin, this can inhibit ovulation and menstruation. Prolactin levels can be determined through a simple blood test. Normal prolactin levels in women are somewhere between 30 and 600 mIU/I. If your levels measure towards the high end of this spectrum or above, you may be suffering from a prolactin irregularity.
Types of Irregularities There are two main types of prolactin irregularities. It is possible to suffer from both at one time.
Galactorrhea Galactorrhea is a condition in which you begin to produce milk spontaneouly, without being pregnant or having given birth recently. It is a result of high prolactic levels. Other symptoms include:
enlarged breasts
painful or tender breasts
irregular menstruation
loss of sex drive
infertility
Hyperprolactinemia Hyperprolactinemia literally means too much prolactin in the blood. If you have hyperprolactinemia, you may also have galactorrhea, though this is not always the case. Symptoms of high prolactin levels include:
prolactin levels at or above 600 mIU/I
infertility
irregular menstruation
headache
reduced sex drive
vision problems
Causes of High Prolactin Levels There are a few things that may be responsible for your prolactin irregularities. In order to treat your infertility, you will need to determine what is at the bottom of your elevated prolactin levels.
ProlactinomaProlactinoma is one of the more common causes of prolactin-induced infertility. Prolactinoma causes a tumor to grow on your pituitary gland. This tumor secretes excess prolactin into your body. About 10% of the population have these tumors. They usually do not pose any health risks, besides infertility, though sometimes they can interfere with vision.
Prescription Drugs Prescription drugs can cause excess secretion of prolactin. Some anti-depressants, painkillers, and opiates block dopamine, preventing prolactin secretion from being inhibited. This can cause your prolactin levels to rise.
For more info, go to http://www.sharedjourney.com/define/prolactin.html