Pregnancy and voice: changes during the third trimester

Abstract

Introduction: From conception to postpartum, pregnancy is a state in which physiologic, metabolic, and anatomic parameters are altered. Pregnancy could affect voice attributes by changing quality and perturbation rates, mainly during the third trimester. The aim of this study was to compare voice attributes between third trimester pregnant and nonpregnant matched women.

Study design: A case-control study was undertaken with third trimester pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic of the Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires. We analyzed and compared values of fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time, vocal intensity, perturbation rates, and physical acoustic qualities.

Results: Most pregnant women showed abnormal parameters of auditory perceptual evaluation, a higher incidence of gastroesophageal reflux, predominance of clavicular breathing, and a reduction of phonation time.

Conclusions: Significant differences found in both groups suggest that physiologic and body changes produced during pregnancy affect voice quality.