The effect of music therapy during vaginal delivery on postpartum pain relief and mental health

Abstract

Women are more exposed to psychiatric illnesses during the postpartum period. Many women suffer from severe stress when faced with physiological and psychological changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth. Childbirth is an important experience in a woman's life. It was shown that negative birth experiences affect negatively postpartum psychiatric symptoms, sexual functioning, expectations about future births and the relationship between mother and infant. It was stated that maternity blues could be a reaction to stress caused by childbirth pain. It was indicated that a strong association was found between the intensity of labor pain and mood disorders in early postpartum period. Labor pain can cause loss of emotional control leading to the mood disorders. It is assumed that “If music therapy reduces the pain associated with childbirth, it can reduce postpartum depression, too”. In this review, the positive effects of music therapy in pain after vaginal delivery and postpartum mental health are evaluated. In addition, the studies related these effects are discussed. When we review the literature, we found that reported as music therapy effect on postoperative pain as an analgesic. As a result, music therapy can be recommended as an alternative, safe and simple method for postpartum pain relieving. It is a promising non-pharmacological interventions.