äidinlevylle

Aidinlevylle, also known as wailing wall, refers to a loudspeaker system used in Finland to broadcast childbirth-related sounds to the mothers in labor, created by a sound artist duo, Marko Timon and Nanna Hyrkas, in 2019.

The "äidinlevylle" project involved producing a customized vinyl record that played sounds specific to childbirth, such as contractions and twins crying, to help mothers cope with the pain and uncertainty of giving birth. The idea was born out of the artists' desire to provide an alternative way for expectant mothers to process their emotions during this momentous occasion.

Research has shown that parenting experiences, emotions, and attitudes are shaped during pregnancy and childbirth. To this end, the creators of äidinlevylle aimed to provide expectant mothers with a tool to prepare for and process the sensations associated with childbirth.

The vinyl record was developed following feedback from expectant mothers, midwives and obstetricians in order to create an authentic soundscape. The record caters for different stages of childbirth and also includes sounds that help with pain relief and relaxation. Additional sounds curated for äidinlevylle include drone sounds and murmurings, induced by the setting of sounds of normal contractions in recordings.

The response to äidinlevylle was larger than the creators had anticipated. Upon its release, the record received widespread media coverage and garnered international attention for its originality and thought-provoking concept. Today, the äidinlevylle project serves as an innovative tool for expectant mothers to navigate the complexities of childbirth.