Some women wonder if performing during pregnancy can be an issue, how it affects tone, breathing, vocal stamina, and if producing a valid voice is even possible.
Well, singing during pregnancy is safe and healthy, although it might require some adjustments in repertoire or scheduling. For a performer, it's usually better to continue practicing rather than taking a break for the whole nine months, to avoid falling out of shape.
Singing increases oxygen circulation, benefits the circulatory system—which in turn benefits the baby—lowers heart rate, and reduces blood pressure. It can also help strengthen the immune system. Singing releases endorphins, natural mood enhancers and stress relievers. Since the fetus is comforted by the musical sounds of the mother’s voice, singing will have a relaxing effect on them, both during pregnancy and after birth.
However, it's generally not recommended to start a new technical training program during this period, as bodily changes can limit breathing.
Depending on the pregnancy stage, there may be an impact on vocal support, both in spoken and sung voice. The size and position of the uterus and fetus may make it difficult, if not impossible, for the diaphragm to move freely, and for the lungs and abdomen to expand. During this time, chest breathing becomes more common and is absolutely physiological.
The muscles that support breathing, especially the abdominal muscles, gradually lose tone and become more separated and loose as the belly grows. This muscle laxity may worsen with each subsequent pregnancy.
This can make it more challenging to tackle more demanding vocal exercises that require greater stamina and support, such as longer phrases in higher ranges or "belting."
Being in good physical shape and having a strong core before pregnancy, as well as working to regain muscle tone as soon as possible after childbirth, can be helpful. Pregnancy hormones naturally stimulate the respiratory center to increase breathing rate and depth, which may make a woman feel short of breath, breathless, or even lightheaded and dizzy. These hormones also “swell” the capillaries in the airways and elsewhere in the body, and relax the lung muscles, bronchi, and other muscles affecting respiratory support.
This breathlessness often eases when the baby drops lower into the pelvis. This "engagement" usually occurs two or three weeks before labor in first pregnancies, but typically not until the onset of labor in later pregnancies. In the meantime, staying well hydrated and exercising can help relieve some of this breathlessness.
Many pregnant women report excess mucus, leading to nasal or sinus congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or postnasal drip. This condition, affecting around 20-30% of pregnant women, is thought to be caused by pregnancy hormones and is called pregnancy rhinitis. Pregnancy rhinitis occurs when nasal passages become irritated and inflamed during pregnancy, and it’s not due to allergens, environmental toxins, or the common cold. This abundant mucus can make breathing difficult, especially during sleep but also while singing. Pregnancy rhinitis symptoms usually resolve on their own within two weeks of labor and delivery, as the body’s hormonal balance begins to restore itself. In the meantime, singers can try to relieve some of their symptoms. They might try nasal irrigation with saline solution, antihistamines (if approved by their doctor), or oral decongestants (with medical approval). Other non-medicinal remedies include staying well hydrated (e.g., drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine) and maintaining adequate humidity levels at home to prevent the mucus from becoming excessively thick, avoiding environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke, sleeping with the head elevated, and exercising.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to Voice and Language disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts
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