Music can reduce the sensation of labor pain. It can also decrease and delay the emotional distress that accompanies labor pain, according to a study in the June, 2003 issue of Pain Management Nursing. The women in the study were aged 20-30, having their first baby. One group chose from among five types of calming music. They then listened to their chosen music for the first three hours (with 10 minute breaks each hour) in the hospital after active labor began (at 3-4 cm. dilation). The control group had the standard care during labor, without the music.
The women’s reports of labor pain were measured before the study began and hourly for the next three hours. The music group had significantly less sensation and distress pain than the control group. Soft music decreased both sensation and distress of active labor pain in the first three hours and delayed increases in the distress of pain for an hour. For some participants relief was fairly substantial.