Why We Don’t Offer Floating Sound Baths During Pregnancy

Because your safety—and your baby’s—mean everything to us.

Pregnancy is a sacred and transformative time. It’s no surprise that many expectant mothers reach out to us looking for ways to relax, reduce stress, and connect with their growing baby. And while Floating Sound Baths can be deeply restorative, we’ve made the decision—grounded in both clinical knowledge and ethical responsibility—not to offer this experience to pregnant clients.

As a former midwife who has supported thousands of women through pregnancy and birth, I want to share why this decision is rooted in care, caution, and compassion.

🛏️ Why Lying on Your Back Isn’t Recommended in Pregnancy

In our sessions, participants lie back on an inflatable airbed that floats on the water’s surface, allowing them to drift effortlessly as they’re immersed in sound. While this experience is incredibly soothing, it does involve lying flat on your back for an extended period, which is not recommended during pregnancy—particularly from the second trimester onward.

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), lying supine in later pregnancy can compress a major vein (the inferior vena cava), reducing blood flow back to your heart. This may cause dizziness, nausea, low blood pressure, or even reduce oxygen to the baby.

On top of that, the gentle rocking and weightlessness—which most people love—can actually trigger or worsen nausea in pregnancy, thanks to a heightened sensitivity to motion.

Even on an airbed, the body is still in a horizontal position, and the act of getting on and off the float can affect your balance—especially as your centre of gravity shifts during pregnancy. The water surface adds gentle movement, which can feel lovely but also increases the risk of instability.

While the chance of falling is minimal, even a small slip, sudden movement, or jolt could pose a greater risk to both mother and baby at this time. We never want to put you—or your little one—in harm’s way.

🔊 Can My Baby Hear the Sound?

Yes—and it’s incredible. A baby’s hearing begins to develop around week 16, and by week 23–25, they can respond to sound from the outside world. The womb isn’t silent—your baby hears your heartbeat, digestive sounds, and muffled external noises.

Lower-frequency sounds, like those produced by gongs and crystal bowls, are more likely to travel through to the baby. While some studies suggest that gentle sounds may have a calming effect, there is no conclusive evidence on the safety of sustained low-frequency vibrations or immersive sound exposure during pregnancy.

Additionally, sound waves travel differently in water and air. Although your baby isn’t in the pool, they are surrounded by amniotic fluid, which is an excellent conductor of sound. This means that vibrations and frequencies may be transmitted more effectively to the fetus, even when you’re lying on an airbed floating above the water.

Because research in this area is limited, and the long-term effects are unknown, we believe it’s safest to wait until after birth before experiencing a floating sound bath.

📚 What Do the Guidelines Say?

• NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) does not provide formal guidance on sound healing or floating sound baths in pregnancy.

• The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) does not currently recommend this type of therapy as a recognised antenatal intervention.

• No studies to date have evaluated the combined effects of airbed floating, sound vibration, and supine positioning during pregnancy.

A 2023 review in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice concluded that “research on sound healing in pregnancy remains limited and largely anecdotal,” highlighting the need for further study before it can be considered safe practice.

💛 Our Ethos: Cautious, Respectful, and Always Client-Centred

As someone who’s worked on both sides of the wellness and clinical worlds, I believe in the power of holistic therapies. But more importantly, I believe in informed care, safety, and ethical responsibility.

Our stance is not one of fear—it’s one of love. Love for the life you're carrying, for your wellbeing, and for the trust you place in us. Until we have more research and guidelines, our decision is to err on the side of caution.

🌸 Supportive Alternatives

If you're expecting and seeking relaxation or emotional support, here are some safe, pregnancy-friendly options we suggest exploring instead:

• 🤍 Pregnancy massage with a trained therapist

• 🧘‍♀️ Prenatal yoga or meditation tailored for each trimester

• 🎧 Soothing music or guided relaxation tracks at home

• 🌿 Breathwork or mindfulness exercises designed for mums-to-be

  
  

We’re also happy to recommend trusted therapists and services we believe in.

🤱 A Final Note, From One Mother to Another

Pregnancy is a time to be nurtured, empowered, and informed. Our role is to hold that space for you—even if it means saying “not right now.” We promise it comes from a place of deep care.

Once your little one has arrived and you're ready to carve out time for yourself again, we’ll be here to welcome you with open arms, calm waters, and beautiful sound.

And yes—there may even be a minimal risk of falling… in love with the experience.

With warmth,

Nshorna

Co- Founder

Floating Sound Bath UK

Former Midwife | Women’s Wellness Advocate