The Perinatal Wellbeing Program is committed to improving the wellbeing of pregnant patients experiencing long-term, pregnancy-related hospitalizations. Many pregnant patients are admitted to Labor and Delivery for lengthy durations of time, away from their families and support systems. They experience significant pregnancy complications and do all they can to optimize their health and that of the pregnancy. Supporting these patients is critical to their health and that of the pregnancy.
Currently, the Perinatal Wellbeing Program is centered around supporting patients through working with a music therapist. Music Therapy harnesses the power of music to support individuals based on their unique needs. Music therapy provides significant assistance that makes an incredible difference during the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of long-term pregnancy-related hospitalizations. Research clearly demonstrates improved health outcomes and the benefits of music therapy. Conducted by board-certified music therapists, these interventions address essential areas such as stress management; pain and anxiety reduction; support during labor, delivery, and surgery; mood enhancement; legacy-building; bonding with the fetus and subsequent newborn; and relaxation. This first of its kind program provides music therapy for pregnant patients.
Pregnant people admitted long before delivery often experience chronic anxiety. Music therapy can have a transformative impact by:
- Encouraging bonding: Music therapy facilitates and strengthens the bond between parents and their babies through activities such as lullaby songwriting by creating and recording original/rewritten lyrics and melody with the use of recording equipment and instruments. Our music therapists record the in-utero fetal heartbeat and incorporate it into songwriting with patients and families. “I actually cried when I listened to it for the first time. I can already see myself singing this beautiful song to my baby boy.” -Perinatal Wellbeing Program patient
- Reducing anxiety and pain: Music therapists provide patient-preferred music at the bedside, leading individuals through guided relaxation. This is not only supportive during long-term admissions, but also during labor, delivery, and around surgical experiences as well. This work affirms and enhances birth experiences.
- Promoting infant development: Music therapists equip caregivers with methods like multimodal neurologic enhancement and other specialized techniques to foster development and improve feeding outcomes.
- Supporting prenatal and postpartum mental health: Instruments are provided to patients; our music therapist facilitates opportunities to learn to play instruments. Patients can then play the instrument to their fetuses and then newborns after birth. “I am so glad you are part of this team! Baby moved during Free Bird.” (when the music therapist played Free Bird in the style of a ballad/lullaby) - Perinatal Wellbeing Program patient
In addition to music therapy, the Perinatal Wellbeing Program is working to expand much needed services to hospitalized pregnant people. Financial support is needed to build out additional creative and supportive therapeutic experiences including but not limited to group programming, prenatal yoga, and meditation to bring patients together.
Your support will ensure we are able to provide holistic, patient-centered care that addresses both physical and mental health needs of pregnant patients away from their families. These patients truly need this support while in the hospital for long periods of time as they make every effort to optimize their health and that of the pregnancy.
“If my heart could reply to you, I would have it do so. . . Thank you doesn’t cut it. You captured us. Our goals. Our dreams. Our family. Thank you. We love it!”
-Perinatal Wellbeing Program patient, who used the song that the music therapist co-created with them to reveal Baby’s name to close family
On Giving Blueday, gifts made to Michael and Kristine Martin OBGYN Antenatal Study - 327166 will be matched 1:1 up to $5,000 to the General Maternal Fetal Medicine Gift Fund - 307493
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