Brahms’ Lullaby to Play When Babies Are Born

MidMichigan Medical Center–Gratiot now welcomes new born babies into the world with a song. Employees, patients and visitors to the Medical Center now hear an excerpt of Brahms’ Lullaby through the public address speakers when a new baby is born.

“This is a beautiful reminder that new lives are being brought into our world each and everyday,” said June Galbraith, R.N., manager of the maternity unit.

The Medical Center in Alma delivers more than 500 babies each year. MidMichigan joins other hospitals across the nation in offering the lullaby program where a few measures from the German Composer and Pianist Johannes Brahms song are played with the arrival of a new baby.

The calming eight-to-10-second music will be heard throughout the Medical Center in all locations. When patients and visitors hear the lullaby, staff will explain the meaning for the song. The system will be overridden in an emergency, and music will only play during the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The lullaby also began playing at MidMichigan Medical Center–Midland earlier this year.