THE EFFECT OF PREGNANCY ON THE SINGING VOICE

Abstract

In the scientific literature, we noticed that the effect of pregnancy on the singing voice is scarcely investigated. We investigated a well-educated professional mezzo, during the third trimester and after the child-birth. We recorded her singing voice weekly, after 15 minute long warming-up. First we recorded sustained vowels [a, i, u] on a comfortable pitch and volume, for measuring MPT, SNR and SPR. Secondly we surveyed VRP. As third-step she repeated sentences, for analysing the mean of F0 of speaking vowels. We expanded our investigation by observations with rigid endoscopy and fiberscope, and also with spirometry. During the pregnancy the MPT decreased by every vowel. The SNR decreased by every vowel, mostly at the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. The VRP also decreased mostly in the upper range. The F0 of the speaking vowels slightly increased. We found slight oedema on the vocal folds first only on the 37th week. 4 weeks after the child-birth a small polyp was detected on the left vocal fold. 6 weeks after child-birth the oedema and the polyp resolved. With spirometry we found slightly increase of FVC and FEV1 during the third trimester.