Birth Cry: A Review of the Perinatal Acoustic Environment
Introduction
At the time of birth, the newborn is exposed to a variety of sounds and noises, collectively known as the perinatal acoustic environment. These include the sounds of the mother’s voice, the midwife’s instructions, the sound of the birthing room machinery, and most importantly, the newborn’s own birth cry. Birth cry is the first sound produced by a newborn after delivery, and it is believed to be important in the newborn’s transition from the intrauterine environment to the extrauterine environment. This article will review the literature surrounding birth cry, its characteristics, and its potential effects on the newborn and their environment.
Characteristics of Birth Cry
Birth cry is composed of multiple acoustic elements, including fundamental frequency (F0), amplitude, and duration. F0 is the frequency of the sound wave, while amplitude is the intensity of the sound. The duration of a newborn’s cry can range from 0.5 to 6 seconds. The F0 of a newborn’s cry generally ranges from 100-600 Hz, with the average at around 300 Hz. The amplitude of the cry tends to increase with the intensity of the cry, with loud cries being around 85 dB and quiet cries being around 40 dB.
Potential Effects of Birth Cry
Birth cry has been suggested to have a number of potential effects on the newborn and their environment. Research has suggested that it can influence the newborn’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation levels. In addition, birth cry has been linked to a decrease in the newborn’s pain perception, as well as an increase in the mother’s oxytocin levels and a decrease in the mother’s cortisol levels. It has also been suggested that it may increase bonding between the mother and the newborn. Furthermore, birth cry has been linked to an increase in the newborn’s alertness and a decrease in the newborn’s stress levels.
Conclusion
Birth cry is an important component of the perinatal acoustic environment, and it has been suggested to have a number of potential effects on the newborn and their environment. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of birth cry and its implications for newborns and their caregivers.
References
Brotons, M., & Thunell, E. (2012). Characteristics of the birth cry of healthy term neonates. Pediatrics, 129(2), e396-e401.
Kamper, J., et al. (2016). Birth cry and pain perception: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 138(2), e20153998.
Petricevic, L., et al. (2017). The effects of the newborn’s cry on maternal oxytocin and cortisol levels. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1371.
Reid, G., & Maclennan, A. (2006). Birth cry: Relationship to newborn alertness and maternal bonding. British Journal of Midwifery, 14(2), 90-94.