Is my baby deaf?

[Spockrates]

This is my first pregnancy and I worry about my baby a lot because I love her so much but I am 33 weeks and she doesn’t react to sound on my baby books it says she can hear and could hear for awhile now I play her different types of music to see what she might like or react to but she doesn’t really move around to them or even my voice but then again she has been a very lazy baby she only really moves when I am sitting, or during the night she loves to keep me awake with all her wriggling and early in the morning

I don't remember any of my 3 responding to sound in the womb. Also they test babies hearing within the first couple of weeks after they are born so you will know very quickly if there are any problems. What's that saying? Don't borrow tomorrow's trouble? No point worrying about it until it happens.

If you are worrying a lot it might be worth chatting to your midwife about anxiety.

She's very well cushioned in there, how well can you hear underwater? Add to that the swooshing of your blood through your veins and arteries (hence why shush shushing babies works), your digestive system gurgling and squelching, and every other sound your body makes - outside sounds will sound very far away.

The thing she can definitely hear though is your heartbeat. And she's the only one who knows what it sounds like from the inside.

I really don't think there's any indication that they're deaf or not till they're born

What sort of response are you expecting? She might smile, or feel she likes it. She’s probably not going to show her enjoyment or awareness in a way that you can discern - she won’t be dancing! But I’m sure you can both enjoy a relaxing moment listening to something together.

She’s basically underwater, sure she might be able to hear it but you can’t expect a specific reaction! Plus you moving around tends to rock them to sleep and then they wake up when you’re still. They do a newborn hearing screening in the hospital after birth.

@BackOfTheMum5net in my baby books in says they might kick to certain sounds or even become startled to a sudden sound or that they might react when you read them stories but I haven’t experienced her reacting to a sound yet I think because this is my first pregnancy everything worries me I’ve never loved something as much as I love this baby already I just worry about her so much

@Spockrates I don't remember even thinking about this while baby was still in my womb! As a PP said, they do a hearing check at 2 days old so you'll know early on. One of my bf has a a little girl who is deaf and has the cutest little hearing aids and it's not affecting her at all. Even if your baby were to be born with hearing problems, they adapt so well and there is so much support these days. In the kindest way possible, I think you're getting really worked up about nothing and as someone else mentioned, it might be worth trying to explore ways to manage your anxiety.

It says they might react. They might not.

They’ll check as part of the newborn screening when you’re in hospital. But no I don’t think your baby not responding to you in the utero is indicative of an issue.

Stop reading baby books. You’re going to have a hellish five or so years otherwise.

Please don't worry about it! Don't forget they're in a sac of amniotic fluid swishing around and your heartbeat pumping away!
Speak to your midwife if your anxiety is that high

I wondered the same when I was pregnant as I never felt either of mine respond to sound. Their hearing is fine as children. Not something you need to worry about!

Ignore the books. I remember fretting about the same thing when I was pregnant with my first. As soon as they’re born they’ll have a newborn hearing test anyway. I’m sure baby will be fine.

Id just enjoy my pregnancy if u were you

Neither of mine ever reacted to sound in the womb as far as I can remember.

At 12 and 9 they have a strange selective hearing loss which means that they are completely unable to hear me calling them for dinner / to do their homework / to empty the dishwasher but somehow they are still able to hear the rustling of me opening a pack of Maltesers very very quietly whilst hiding from them.

Your little bundle of joy isn't even here yet. I would be careful what you read or you could end up being very hard on yourself. You will be a good mum not perfect as there is no such thing.

She's just ignoring you. Practising for the toddler years.

Both my children didn't react to my voice or any sound in the womb at all. Both their hearings are fine.

i think you may be overreacting a bit. Are you expecting a baby to start dancing? like PP said there's so much noise going on in there.

I barely felt my baby move all through my pregnancy. she has perfect hearing and is super alert and a total live wire since the day she was born...she doesn't miss a thing.

What they're like in the womb is nothing to do with what they're like now

Neither of mine ever reacted to sounds in the womb. Totally normal.

I play in a brass band and my baby rarely moves! We’re very loud!

My first never reacted to noise in the womb, he's 2.7 years old now and hears just fine. My second always woke up when I played music. It's just different :)

I didn’t try anything when I was pregnant but DS was tested in hospital when he was born and failed. They said this wasn’t uncommon as they often have blocked ears. They did it again a couple of days later and it was fine. He’s now 2 and there is definitely no issue with his hearing. Put the books down and try to relax.

I tried all sorts to make my little ones move. I read stories and stroked my belly, played music, sang, DH talked to it. Neither ever responded!