RJA 13b: Visual Aids

 I chose this image because these are headphones specifically designed for fetal hearing.  

 This image is a rendering of the baby at 17 weeks.  This is the time when hearing is developed. 

 I thought this would be a good image because I talk about various stages of the pregnancy and this shows how big and developed the child is in each step.  

This is another image of when important functions are developed.  

RJA 13a: APA-Style Annotated Bibliography, Part 2

Chang, Mei-Yueh, Chung-Hey Chen, and Kuo-Feng Huang. "Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17.19 (2008): 2580-2587. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full>.

This excerpt from a book talks about a study done with 236 pregnant women done over a two weeks span.  The women who listened to music everyday for 30 minute showed decreased stress and depression.  

Coila, Bridget. "The Effects of Music on Prenatal Babies." Livestrong. 17 JUL 2011: n. page. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/494633-the-effects-of-music-on-prenatal-babies/ >.

This article talks about the growth of the fetus week by week and music's effect.  The baby can hear sounds at 17 weeks, at 33 weeks can breath in time with the music, and by 38 weeks the baby can react to different genres of music.  

Giobbi, Matthew Tyler. "You Are Your Child." Media, Psychology, Culture, & Music. N.p., 16 JUN 2012. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://www.mgiobbi.com/2012/06/you-are-your-childs-first-music-teacher.html>.

This blog talks about musical talent and its correlation with music exposure in the womb.  This music professor makes it a point to talk to mothers about when they introduced music into their children's lives.  Many of the mothers say they did indeed start while pregnant. 

Swaminathan, Nikhil. "Fact of Fiction? Babies Exposed to Classical Music End up Smarter." Scientific American. 13 SEP 2007: n. page. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.

This article talks about the arguments against the Mozart Theory.  A test in older kids showed only a slight IQ raise that did not last very long.  Some say it is just an old belief that is hard to debunk.  It is also a great way to make money as many pregnant women by the CDs made for fetal listening.  

RJA 12b: APA-Style Annotated Bibliography, Part 1

Drums, X. (2009, June 19). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.x8drums.com/v/blog/2009/06/pregnancy-and-music-how-music.asp

This blog from X8 Drums incorporates both sides of the question of music exposure on unborn babies.  Babies respond to music they heard in the womb during infancy.  The amniotic sack conducts sound which makes sound outside the womb very clear to the child.  Music played too loudly could overstimulate the growing fetus.  

Robledo, S. J. (2012). Music and your unborn child. Retrieved from http://www.babycenter.com/0_music-and-your-unborn-child_6547.bc?page=2

This article explains the criticism music exposure on unborn children has faced.  The tests that were done to measure the effect of music exposure on children were done only older children.  It is hard to measure what happens to a fetus while in the womb.  Music could have a greater effect on the fetus than the older children because of it's fragile and ever-growing state.  

Womb to Bloom. (2009). Mozart: Fact or fiction. Womb to Bloom. Retrieved from http://www.wombtobloom.com/baby-development/125-the-mozart-effect-fact-or-fiction.html

This article explains both sides of the argument for the Mozart Theory.  While listening to music does increase IQ for short periods of time it is not known whether there are long term effects on a fetus. 

RJA 12a: Conversion from MLA to APA Style

Chang, M., Chen, C., & Huang, K. (2008). Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(19), 2580-2587. Retrieved from http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full

Coila, B. (2011, July 17). The effects of music on prenatal babies. Livestrong, Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/494633-the-effects-of-music-on-prenatal-babies/

Giobbi, M. T. (2012, June 16). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.mgiobbi.com/2012/06/you-are-your-childs-first-music-teacher.html

Swaminathan , N. (2007, September 13). Fact of fiction? babies exposed to classical music end up smarter. Scientific American, Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fact-or-fiction-babies-ex>

RJA 11: Argument

1.  The "Mozart Theory" is a widely accepted idea that classical music calms both the mother and child (Swamination). 

A.  Classical music affects spatial-temporal reasoning, allowing for better math and engineering skills later in life. ("Womb to Bloom")  

B.  The womb amplifies sound so whatever the mother is listening to or even the tone in which she speaks and is spoken to can effect the child. (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587)

Objections:

A. Researchers claim classical music only helps the IQ temporarily and does not have a long term effect. ("Womb to Bloom")

1.  This study was done with college students it is hard to say what actually happens to the fetus when exposed to music.  

B.   "I think parents are very desperate to give their own children every single enhancement that they can"- Rauscher (Swaminathan) 

1.  This could be true, but no harm could ever come from calming music.  It has been proven that classical music at the least calms the mother and unborn child.  (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587)

2.  Newborn babies respond and remember music up to a year after birth.(Drums)

A.  Mothers report feeling kicking in rhythm later in pregnancy when listening to music repetitively (Coila).  

B.  Babies exposed to music sleep easier after birth than those without stimulation.  

C.  The amniotic fluid allows for sounds to travel well, so the baby hears music and voices very clearly.  (Drums)

Objections:

A.  If not used in moderation the unborn child could be overstimulated and it could also hurt development. (Drums)

1.  Harsher styles of music could overstimulate but if the Mozart theory is used the fetus would mostly likely be calmed not overwhelmed.  

B.  The studies done on music exposure focused on older children.  

1.  If music exposure shows influence on older children then it is not a reach to think that fetuses could benefit the same. (Robledo)

3.  A group of women asked to listen to 30 minutes of calming music everyday for two weeks showed a decrease in stress (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587). 

A.  Music with a steady beat around 60-80 beats per minute can help relax the mother and unborn child.  Helping relieve stress and decrease depression. (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587)

B.  Music therapy is beneficial to mental distress. Two weeks of music exposure was concluded to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.  (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587) 

Objections:

A.  This study is not without fault.  The women involved may have performed different activities while listening or rested more than others.  

1.  The women may have done different activities but the general outcome was still decreased stress regardless of activities performed. 

B.  Music at this tempo may encourage relaxation, and relaxation, or meditation, could be the true reason for decreased stress. (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587)

1.   It is the music that stimulates relaxation so even if meditation was the main reason, music was still the stimulant.  

Chang, Mei-Yueh, Chung-Hey Chen, and Kuo-Feng Huang. "Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17.19 (2008): 2580-2587. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full >.

Coila, Bridget. "The Effects of Music on Prenatal Babies." Livestrong. 17 JUL 2011: n. page. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/494633-the-effects-of-music-on-prenatal-babies/ >.

Drums, X8. "Pregnancy and Music: How Music Stimulates Baby Development." Drum Circle. X8 Drums, 19 JUN 2009. Web. 27 Jun. 2012. <http://www.x8drums.com/v/blog/2009/06/pregnancy-and-music-how-music.asp>.

"Mozart: Fact of Fiction." Womb to Bloom. Womb to Bloom, LLC, 2009. Web. 27 Jun 2012. <http://www.wombtobloom.com/baby-development/125-the-mozart-effect-fact-or-fiction.html>.

Robledo, S. Johanna. "Music and your unborn child." Baby Center. n.d. n. page. Web. 15 Jul. 2012. <http://www.babycenter.com/0_music-and-your-unborn-child_6547.bc?page=2>.

Swaminathan, Nikhil. "Fact of Fiction? Babies Exposed to Classical Music End up Smarter." Scientific American. 13 SEP 2007: n. page. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.

RJA 10c: Objections

1.  As long as the mother does not engage in drugs, tobacco, and alcohol the fetus will develop the same with or without music stimulation.

2.  If health issues are addressed and the mother eats normally the fetus will develop naturally.

3.  Music could not be what helps the mother become less stressed, it could be the meditation involved while listening (Chang, Chen, and Huang 2580-2587).

Chang, Mei-Yueh, Chung-Hey Chen, and Kuo-Feng Huang. "Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17.19 (2008): 2580-2587. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full>.

RJA 10b. Reasons

1.  The "Mozart Theory" is a widely accepted idea that classical music calms both the mother and child (Swamination). 


2.  Mothers report feeling kicking in rhythm later in pregnancy when listening to music repetitively (Coila).  


3.  The womb amplifies sound, it is only natural that what the fetus hears will effect development.  


4.  Children that are exposed to music while in the womb have shown an inclination to musical instruments and the arts later in life (Giobbi).  


5.  A group of women asked to listen to 30 minutes of calming music everyday for two weeks showed a decrease in stress (Chang, Chen, and Huang, 2580-2587). 

Chang, Mei-Yueh, Chung-Hey Chen, and Kuo-Feng Huang. "Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17.19 (2008): 2580-2587. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full>.

Coila, Bridget. "The Effects of Music on Prenatal Babies." Livestrong. 17 JUL 2011: n. page. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/494633-the-effects-of-music-on-prenatal-babies/>.

Giobbi, Matthew Tyler. "You Are Your Child." Media, Psychology, Culture, & Music. N.p., 16 JUN 2012. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://www.mgiobbi.com/2012/06/you-are-your-childs-first-music-teacher.html>.

Swaminathan, Nikhil. "Fact of Fiction? Babies Exposed to Classical Music End up Smarter." Scientific American. 13 SEP 2007: n. page. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.

RJA 10a: Claim

Does listening to music during pregnancy help fetal development?


Listening to music during pregnancy has a big impact on fetal development.  Music can calm the fetus and support memory development.

Chang, Mei-Yueh, Chung-Hey Chen, and Kuo-Feng Huang. "Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17.19 (2008): 2580-2587. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full>.

Coila, Bridget. "The Effects of Music on Prenatal Babies." Livestrong. 17 JUL 2011: n. page. Web. 10 Jul. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/494633-the-effects-of-music-on-prenatal-babies/>.

Swaminathan, Nikhil. "Fact of Fiction? Babies Exposed to Classical Music End up Smarter." Scientific American. 13 SEP 2007: n. page. Web. 28 Jun. 2012.

RJA 9b: Paragraph with Quotation

A developing fetus has the ability to hear at 17 weeks.  Listening to music with a steady beat of 60-80 beats per minute can help stimulate growth (Chang, Chen, and Huang 2580-2587).  Repetition to this music has been reported to lead to the unborn child kicking in rhythm later in pregnancy.  Even after birth newborns have been known to remember songs heard while still in the womb (Coila). 

Inside the womb sound is amplified, what the mother listens to and the tone she speaks in can effect the child.  The "Mozart Theory" is a theory accepted by many professionals and mothers-to-be (Swaminathan).  Due to hormones a pregnant woman's emotional state is always fluctuating.  The idea is that listening to classical music could alleviate this stress therefore relieving the child.  Classical music is best to listen to because of its steady tempo of 60-80 beats per minute.  Harsher styles of music could create more stress because of the faster beats (Chang, Chen, and Huang 2580-2587). 

RJA 9a: MLA Style Annotated Bibliography

Chang, Mei-Yueh, Chung-Hey Chen, and Kuo-Feng Huang. "Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy." Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17.19 (2008): 2580-2587. Web. 28 Jun. 2012. <http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full>.

Coila, Bridget. "The Effects of Music on Prenatal Babies." Livestrong. 17 JUL 2011: n. page. Web. 28 Jun. 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/494633-the-effects-of-music-on-prenatal-babies/>.

Giobbi, Matthew Tyler. "You Are Your Child." Media, Psychology, Culture, & Music. N.p., 16 JUN 2012. Web. 28 Jun. 2012. <http://www.mgiobbi.com/2012/06/you-are-your-childs-first-music-teacher.html>.

Swaminathan, Nikhil. "Fact of Fiction? Babies Exposed to Classical Music End up Smarter." Scientific American. 13 SEP 2007: n. page. Web. 28 Jun. 2012. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fact-or-fiction-babies-ex>.

RJA 8b: Field Research Plan

I plan on talking to Mountain Midwifery Center, INC. AND the University of Colorado Hospital.  I'm curious to see the differences in the two.  I know some friends that had children at the University hospital and they had terrible doctors who rushed them in and out of there, my friends that chose midwives were completely satisfied.  Knowing that, I'm wondering if the Midwifery Center advocates music more than the University.  

I know a midwife (RN) in Boulder who has agreed to talk to me. I plan on asking her about her patients music habits and what she advocates as far as music exposure.  I also would like to talk to her about mothers who listen to music during birth.  Lastly,  I would like to talk at least three mothers, maybe one who is still pregnant and two who have had children.  I have one mother already, a mother of two who has already told me about her experience with pregnancy.  I would like to do a survey but I do not know enough pregnant women to truly do the survey like I would like.  

RJA 8a: Free-writing

What effect does music have during pregnancy?

During pregnancy a woman's emotional state is always fluctuating. Stress and anxiety are all to common, classical music could help reduce this stress. Babies in the womb can hear sound from outside the womb, it is amplified inside the womb. Whatever the mother is listening to or even the tone in which she speaks and is spoken to can effect the child.

A growing fetus could be effected by the mother's stress and become stressed itself, possibly stunting brain development. However, with the help of music the fetus can sometimes be calmed. Music has the opposite effect of stress on brain development of the growing baby. The music can help regulate the heartbeat and stimulate activity and brain activity. This could lead to increased learning ability after birth.

I have heard that increased math skils, reading skills, and musical talent can be attributed to music exposure while in the womb. Classical music is said to be the most stimulating because of the regular tempo. Harsher styles of music would not be as helpful as classical music because harsher styles like heavy metal could actually increase the level of stress on the fetus. While this music may calm the mother because that is her favorite band, the tempo could confuse the fetus's heartbeat and stunt growth due to the stress from the music.

It is hard for studies to accurately research what happens in brain development during fetal growth throughout pregnancy, that is why this subject is so fascinating to me. Some pregnant women swear by classical music, some by meditation and yoga. It is possible it is completely different for each pregnancy but so many positive effects have been associated with music exposure that it is hard to deny that music has, at the least, a small effect on fetal growth. 

RJA 7b: Webpage Annotation

Here is a link to my Diigo Library where you can see all of the sources I have been reading.  The two that I provided links for below have been the most promising and added the most helpful information to my research.

http://www.diigo.com/user/ashleyhattle

http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/full

http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/bonding-with-baby-to-be/prenatal-learning-with-music_71701 

RJA 7a: Evaluation of Sources

Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy

*This book was written by three people, one an RN, one a PhD, and one an MD.

*All of these authors have worked in the field for several years and have extensive experience with pregnancy.

*Mei-Yueh Chang, RN attended Kaohsiung Medical University.

*Chung-Hey Chen, PhD, RN and Professor also went to Kaohsiung Medical University.

*Kuofeng Huang, MD is the Director of the OBGYN Chi Mei Medical Center in Taiwan.  

*All of the authors are involved in research projects regarding pregnancy and the psychological health of the women.  

*The Kaohsiung Medical University is their biggest affiliation.  

*This information was first published in 2008.

*As this is a book it has not been updated, but the authors suggest several other books and articles in their references.

*The references page provides links to all of their sources.

*The authors provide information about their specific study in terms of data which is intended to inform women of the benefits of music during pregnancy.

*Originally, I think this article was intended for professionals and students but I think pregnant women would be interested as well.  

*This article does not show bias as it focuses on the un-biased results of the study.

*The medical board reviewed this study and article and approved.

*This source has a lot of information that is helpful to my research.  It is also very helpful because it comes from such a credible source. 

*When reading the article I can tell it was intended for doctors and students but it is not too wordy to where it is hard to understand.

*All-in-all I'm very glad I found this book.

Chang, M.-Y., Chen, C.-H. and Huang, K.-F. (2008), Effects of music therapy on     psychological health of women during pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17: 2580–2587. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x

URL:  http://0-onlinelibrary.wiley.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02064.x/abstract

A healthy dose of classical music

*This author is a journalist, a correspondent for the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

*The author has no expertise on the matter, she is just reporting on the event that sparked all of the interest.

*This newspaper article does not say what degree the author has but she is with the Sarasota Herald Tribune. 

*This information was published March 30, 2010 and has not been updated.

*The article provides no links to other relevant articles or books and there is no bibliography.  That is because this article is all about observation and events. 

*This information is intended to inform but also persuade people to come to this event and support the "Mozart Effect" theory. 

*There is definitely bias shown, in the article a mother comments on how her children are calmed by classical music and that her daughter is better at reading because of it. The classical music may be irrelevant to her daughters advanced reading.

*This article was not critically reviewed after it was written but does contain a little information that is helpful to me, like the mothers comments.

*As it is a newspaper article it is very easy to understand. 

"A healthy dose of classical music." Sarasota Herald Tribune 30 Mar. 2010. General OneFile. Web. 3 July 2012.

URL:  http://0-go.galegroup.com.skyline.ucdenver.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA222527263&v=2.1&u=auraria_main&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w