The Effect of Mother’s Voice and Father’s Voice Listened by Newborns During Heel Blood Collection on Pain Level and Physiological Parameters

Background: The newborn can learn the voices of its mother and father during intrauterine life, and the reencounter with these familiar voices after birth has a relaxing and calming effect on the baby. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mother’s voice and father’s voice that newborns listened to during the heel blood collection procedure on pain level and physiological parameters. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial. The study consisted of a total of 90 newborns as participants (mother voice group = 30, father voice group = 30, and control group = 30) at the Düzce Atatürk State Hospital Gynecology Service, Türkiye. Newborns randomly assigned to the intervention groups were made to listen to the mother’s voice/father’s voice during the heel prick procedure. The newborn in the control group received standard heel blood collection procedures. Results: When the pain level of newborns was examined, it was determined that the lowest Newborn Infant Pain Scale score was in the mother’s voice group ( P < .05). When the physiological parameter results were evaluated, it was determined that the highest oxygen saturation value and the lowest heart rate were found in the mother’s voice group ( P < .05). Conclusion: It was determined that the mother’s voice was the most effective method in relieving the pain that occurred during the heel prick procedure and in the positive course of physiological parameters in newborns. According to the results of the study, it is recommended to use the mother’s voice in order to reduce the pain caused by the heel prick attempt in newborns and to regulate their physiological parameters.