Concerts During Pregnancy

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Who doesn't like a good concert? But before you get tickets, let's look at how loud music can affect your pregnancy.

Question:
Are there any problems with attending a loud concert during pregnancy?

Family Physician Jane Forester, DO, answers:
The effects of sustained loud noise on an unborn baby are not known. It has been associated with miscarriages in animals, but no definite connection between humans, loud noises and miscarriages has been found. The studies also are inconclusive as to the effects of vibration on the baby, which often accompanies sustained loud noise.

What we do know: By the 20th week of pregnancy, your baby has developed the structures necessary to receive sound impulses. By about the 24th week, your baby can hear and will react to loud, sudden noises. So, if you have an occupation that forces you to be around loud noise or sustained vibration throughout your workday, request a temporary transfer to a quieter division until after your delivery.

Whether noise harms your hearing depends on its loudness, its pitch and the length of exposure. The loudness of sounds - measured in decibels (dB) - and the length of exposure are related. The louder the sound, the faster damage will occur. For example, eight hours of exposure to 85 dB industrial noise daily is considered relatively safe for most people. However, using power tools (100 dB), listening through a stereo headset (110 dB) or attending a rock concert (about 120 dB) may damage hearing after just a few exposures.

Editor's note: Want to know one thing that is definitely safe? Reading about rock music! Check out some celebrity interviews (including Slash of Velvet Revolver/Guns 'n' Roses talking about his baby son) right here.

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About the author: Jane Forester, DO, received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 1980, and a Master's degree in counseling psychology from UC Berkeley in 1982. She practiced as a psychotherapist for six years before attending medical school at Philidelphia College of Osteopathic medicine, recieving her medical degree in 1992. After the birth of her second child, she worked part time as a solo practitioner before deciding to stay home full time with her children. She and her husband John are very athletic, and are exposing their children to skiing, boating and biking. For more pregnancy and baby tips and advice, click here!