1. Experiences of pregnant women attending a lullaby programme in Limerick, Ireland: a qualitative study.
- Author
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Carolan M, Barry M, Gamble M, Turner K, and Mascareñas O
- Subjects
- Adult, Anxiety prevention & control, Attitude to Health, Female, Humans, Ireland, Mothers psychology, Nurse's Role, Play and Playthings, Pregnancy psychology, Qualitative Research, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult, Mothers education, Music, Nurse-Patient Relations, Object Attachment, Prenatal Care methods
- Abstract
Objective: to explore women's experience of singing lullabies in pregnancy and their understanding of possible benefits for themselves and their infants., Design and Participants: over four group sessions with musicians, six pregnant women, all expecting their first baby, learnt to sing three lullabies. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted approximately three months after the birth to capture the women's experiences. Participants were recruited at antenatal classes at a metropolitan maternity hospital in Ireland., Findings: The women enjoyed participation in the lullaby project and all felt it benefited them and their babies. Themes uncovered included: (1) beyond words: music and the articulation of deep emotion; (2) a balm for the soul: the power and pleasure of beautiful music; and (3) music and the facilitation of infant development. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTISE: Singing lullabies in pregnancy had a soothing and calming effect and was a pleasant experience for participants. It was also an emotional experience and appeared to facilitate the expression of difficult emotion such as fear and anxiety. This effect is likely to have a significant and positive impact on well-being for pregnant women and as such warrants further exploration., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2012
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