What is a pregnancy bola and how does it work?

A pregnancy bola is a special piece of jewellery for mums-to-be – beautiful and meaningful at the same time. Perhaps you have seen one and wondered what it is all about. Here you will learn what a bola is and how it works.

What a bola is

A pregnancy bola is a pendant, usually a small sphere, worn on a long chain over the bump. Inside the sphere is a tiny chime element that produces a gentle, soft sound with every movement – similar to a delicate little bell.

How it works

The idea behind it: from around the 20th week of pregnancy, the baby in the womb can perceive sounds. The gentle, recurring sound of the bola accompanies you through your day and over time becomes familiar to the baby. Many families report that the sound calms the newborn after birth because it knows it from pregnancy. This effect has not been conclusively proven scientifically, but as a gentle ritual and connection to the baby, the bola is loved by many mums-to-be.

What to consider when wearing it

The chain is deliberately long so the sphere rests over the bump. After the birth, the bola can continue to be worn, somewhat shorter as a normal necklace, or attached to the pram so the familiar sound keeps accompanying the baby.

A lovely gift idea

Because of its meaning, the bola is also a popular pregnancy gift – a piece that tells a story and remembers a special time. That is why it also fits wonderfully into our list of sustainable gifts for a new baby. Especially lovingly designed bolas come from Pleine Lune – a small label entirely dedicated to pregnancy jewellery.

Frequently asked questions

From when do you wear a pregnancy bola?

You can wear it at any time. Many start around week 20, when the baby's hearing has matured – but it is lovely from day one, simply as a piece of jewellery.

Does the baby really hear the bola in the womb?

The baby perceives sounds in a muffled way – familiar, recurring sounds such as your voice, your heartbeat or indeed the bola are among them. Whether the calming effect after birth stems from this has not been conclusively researched; many parents, however, experience it exactly that way.

What do I do with the bola after pregnancy?

Keep wearing it, attach it to the pram or cradle – or store it safely as a keepsake. Some mothers later pass it on to their child, as a little piece of shared history.

In our jewellery collection, the Pregnancy section and at Pleine Lune you will find lovingly designed pregnancy bolas and birthstone jewellery.