Over the last two decades, numerous studies have examined how music affects fetal and neonatal development. These studies have shown that an early developing fetus can distinguish acoustic features while remembering sounds repeated multiple times.
Studies have also demonstrated that fetuses respond to familiar music by increasing their movement; this reaction could indicate sensory learning and adaptation processes that occur prenatally.
Safety
Vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) is a noninvasive technique used during gestation to stimulate fetuses by using sound and vibration stimulation. Performed by medical professionals trained to administer VAS tests, VAS allows doctors to assess fetal health. Commonly conducted during fetal non-stress tests or biophysical profile assessments. For VAS procedures to work properly a device must be placed on the abdomen that emits low frequency sounds and vibrations to prompt responses from fetuses; commonly employed during high risk pregnancies to evaluate baby wellbeing.
Fetal vibroacoustic stimulators devices can be used to wake up the fetus, making it easier to monitor heart rate and movement during gestation. This safe and cost-effective device requires only readily available AA batteries which last around 360 minutes for usage; for maximum comfort the Bistos BT-220 Fetal Doppler HI-bebe has an ergonomic design with 2.4 inch color LCD display for visual display – as well as being light in weight!
Study results involving 30 normal term fetuses who received vibroacoustic stimulation showed that time spent in state 1 decreased after vibroacoustic stimulation while state 4 activity increased, suggesting that stimuli have an impact on behavior and movement of gestating fetuses. Fetal heart rate acceleration also increased significantly for most subjects after vibroacoustic stimulation.
Warranty
Fetal vibroacoustic stimulators are used to wake unborn babies up so medical staff can assess their well-being. This device uses short sounds transmitted through mother’s abdomen into fetus’s body; then its heart rate can be measured; if weak or monotonous heart rates arise it may be necessary to use vibroacoustic stimulation to energize it and bring it into life.
This review examined all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials examining the merits of acoustic stimulation alongside tests of fetal wellbeing, such as cardiotocography and fetal heart rate testing. Twelve trials with 6822 participants were included for analysis; vibroacoustic stimulation significantly reduced nonreactive cardiotocography test results while stimulating more vigorous fetal movements than mock stimulation; this helped increase reliability for measuring fetal heart rates.
