Calm delivery room with muted colors.

Creating a Calmer Birthing Space: How to Reduce Noise Levels in Delivery Rooms

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Simple changes can make a big difference in the well-being of newborns, mothers, and healthcare teams."

The environment of a delivery room plays a critical role in the well-being of everyone involved. While medical advancements are essential, the focus on creating a soothing and supportive space is just as important. One often-overlooked aspect is noise pollution, which can significantly impact newborns, mothers, and the healthcare team.

Noise in delivery rooms isn't just a minor annoyance; it's a form of energy created by colliding molecules, resulting in pressure variations that our ears perceive as sound. Unlike pleasant or neutral sounds, noise is disorganized and can be physiologically incompatible with the human ear. High noise levels can lead to physical discomfort, psychological distress, and behavioral changes.

This article will explore the findings of a study focused on noise levels within delivery rooms. It will offer practical solutions to mitigate these issues, creating a more calming and therapeutic environment for everyone involved.

Why is Noise Reduction Important in Delivery Rooms?

A recent study investigated the sound pressure levels (SPLs) in delivery rooms at a Brazilian university hospital to identify noise sources. Data was collected over several months using dosimeters to record sound levels and unstructured observation to pinpoint noise origins. The results highlighted some concerning trends.

The study found that average equivalent sound levels (Leq) were 69.6 dBA during vaginal deliveries and 65.4 dBA during cesarean sections. These levels exceed the recommended limits set by regulatory bodies. The primary source of noise was identified as conversations among professionals within the delivery room.

Impact on Newborns: Noise can disrupt sleep patterns, increase stress, and potentially affect auditory development. Studies show that premature infants exposed to high noise levels may experience physiological changes, such as increased heart rate and decreased oxygen saturation.
Impact on Mothers: Elevated noise levels can increase anxiety and discomfort, hindering relaxation and potentially interfering with the bonding process between mother and child. A calm environment is crucial for a positive birthing experience.
Impact on Healthcare Professionals: Constant exposure to high noise levels can lead to stress, fatigue, and decreased concentration, potentially affecting performance and increasing the risk of errors. A quieter environment promotes better communication and focus.

Given these findings, it's clear that noise reduction strategies are essential. Simple changes in behavior and room setup can create a more peaceful and supportive atmosphere for newborns, mothers, and healthcare teams.

Creating a Quieter Future

Reducing noise levels in delivery rooms requires a conscious effort from everyone involved. By implementing simple strategies and fostering a culture of quiet, we can create a more supportive and healing environment for newborns, mothers, and the dedicated healthcare professionals who care for them. Prioritizing noise reduction is an investment in better health outcomes and a more positive birthing experience.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0104-07072011000200010, Alternate LINK

Title: Nível De Ruído Em Sala De Parto

Subject: General Nursing

Journal: Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Fernanda Lima De Campos Oliveira, Tereza Yoshiko Kakehashi, Miriam Harumi Tsunemi, Eliana Moreira Pinheiro

Published: 2011-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is noise reduction important in delivery rooms?

Noise in delivery rooms is significant because it can have negative effects on newborns, mothers, and healthcare professionals. For newborns, it can disrupt sleep and affect their auditory development. Mothers may experience increased anxiety and discomfort. Healthcare professionals may suffer from stress, fatigue, and decreased concentration. Addressing the problem requires understanding the implications of sound pressure levels (SPLs).

What sound levels were found in delivery rooms?

The average equivalent sound levels (Leq) in delivery rooms, as determined by a study, were 69.6 dBA during vaginal deliveries and 65.4 dBA during cesarean sections. These levels are above the recommended limits set by regulatory bodies. The primary source of noise was identified as conversations among professionals within the delivery room. This finding is important because it highlights the need to address the issue of noise, which impacts the experience for newborns, mothers, and healthcare teams.

What are sound pressure levels (SPLs) and why are they important?

Sound pressure levels (SPLs) refer to the measurement of sound, specifically the variations in pressure caused by sound waves. SPLs are measured in decibels (dBA). High SPLs in a delivery room, often stemming from conversations, have been shown to negatively affect newborns, mothers, and healthcare teams. Newborns can experience disrupted sleep patterns. Mothers might feel increased anxiety and discomfort, and healthcare professionals may suffer from stress and decreased concentration.

Why is creating a calmer birthing space a worthy goal?

Creating a calmer birthing space is important because it can improve the experience and outcomes for everyone involved. Noise, a form of energy created by colliding molecules, can negatively impact newborns, mothers, and healthcare professionals. By reducing noise levels, the birthing experience can be improved for everyone, leading to better outcomes for both mothers and newborns. Prioritizing noise reduction is an investment in better health outcomes and a more positive birthing experience.

How was the noise in delivery rooms measured in the study?

A recent study at a Brazilian university hospital used dosimeters to record sound levels and unstructured observation to pinpoint noise origins. The findings revealed that the average equivalent sound levels (Leq) in delivery rooms exceeded recommended limits. The key insight was that conversations among professionals were the main source of the noise. This research is important because it provides data for understanding the problem and emphasizes the need for action to reduce noise in delivery rooms.