Music for birth?

[berry987]

I have no memory of what I did for music with my first two kids (I think I labored music-free, but can't quite recall). Anyway, I'm thinking it would be nice to have some music, but I can't figure out what I will want. I'm not a big meditative music type of person, but I can't imagine rocking out during labor either. I'm doing a homebirth, if that makes a difference with the selection (no need to block out hospital noises, etc.)

What are you all choosing for music?

[mojobot2000]

This has been on my mind, too. I can't really see suddenly liking new age or harp music if I don't listen to it now, but I'm also not exactly going to want to dance, right? This is all conjecture, since it's my first bebe, but I'm imagining some of the atmospheric electronic music I dig might be nice. In particular, there's something about Junior Boys (http://www.google.com/musica?aid=Mfj...usic&ct=result) that I think will get me into a good labor zone.

[JesiLynne]

Call me corny, but I just want something soothing. I like Enya.

Anywho, have you checked out projectplaylist.com
I am making a playlist for during the birth and just keeping the laptop in my room.

[Hallielynn01]

I've got 2 Snatam Kaur CDs, the same we use in yoga class, I bought one cause it was so pretty, then one day at work, I realized I had trained my brain to relax and slow my breathing with the music, so I thought it would be a good one to have in labor, I have Grace and Anand, and another new one my teacher gave me, that has just good, relaxing, music with an amazing primal feel to it, I just knew I wanted it to be part of my birth.

With DD I listened to Celtic Women, and a CD called Adiamus.

[katmann]

Have you ever heard of Thievery Corporation? It's sort of rhythmic with world vibes but not distracting. I think that's what I'll be listening too, as well as some more meditative type music.

[KayTeeJay]

My DH jokes that he will play Salt n Pepa's "Push It" during delivery. Ummm, notsomuch. I have a mix CD of soft classical and Enya style songs that I am planning on playing. Something nice and soothing!

[onelittlesleep]

There's this great jazz-standards album called (I think) "My One and Only Love", which features the singer Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane backing him up. Hartman has a very soothing, low and patient voice and Coltrane adds a lot of interest. We played it at our birth because it was a perfect mix between calming and upbeat, get-you-going sounds (from Coltrane).

After we gave birth, my midwife tried to put on her favorite Celine Dion cd and I adamantly said "NO." Which I think offended her.

(but. just no.)

[mclisa]

I like Enya, though now when I listen to it, I tend to get teary eyed.

[mzminty]

I put together a playlist on itunes including some classical music and soft stuff. I don't even know if I'll be in the mood for music, because I didn't have any at DD #1's birth...

[scsigrl]

Originally Posted by berry987

What are you all choosing for music?

I listened to U2 through most of my L&D with DS. It's what I like and it was just comforting I guess

[Mrs.Oz]

Originally Posted by katmann

Have you ever heard of Thievery Corporation? It's sort of rhythmic with world vibes but not distracting. I think that's what I'll be listening too, as well as some more meditative type music.

I used to listen to them long ago (well, 4 or 5 years... ) when I worked customer service...somehow I don't want to be reminded of that experience, but I agree it's some good stuff.

I second the Enya (esp. The Celts). I had that, plus some other soothing stuff with DS's birth...

Some low-key Celtic music (Celtic Horizons by Phil Coulter):

http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Horizon...1390057&sr=8-2

and an album of piano music (I'd recommend it but it took me 3 months to get it last time...it's old)

and some Ryan Farish (look up the song Pacific Wind...you might recognize it from a popular YouTube video).

I remember having it all in the background while I labored, but I think once I got to transition things were so intense that I just had DH turn it off. Either that or I completely blocked it out. I couldn't tell you either way.

[KelliHope]

my doula has a great CD of chanting with waves in the background that I plan to listen to, but I'm also going to bring my ipod & docking station. My dh & I LOVE Patty Griffin and sometimes listen to her non stop for weeks at a time, we haven't heard a peep out of her in a few months now, I'm kinda saving her up for the big day. Also on my ipod I have a variety of things - I loaded all of my hypnobirthing cds on there, but also have some crazy stuff, like, Beyonce & other dance/party music. Who knows if I'll put that on, but it might be fun if I need some energy!
Also, I'm a huge dork, but I LOVE Taylor Swift (the 18yr old country singer) and I listen to her new cd all the time and sing along to the top of my lungs. I read somewhere that singing during contractions really helps you loosen up, so I might turn on Taylor at some point I joked to dh that I was going to listen to her for the WHOLE birth (he's not the fan I am!) and he was like, oh god, kill me now

this is off topic a bit, but goes along with what a dork I am, I have been buying trashy gossip mags every time I go to the supermarket and stashing them in my birthbag. They are my absolute favorite thing, like if I'm waiting at the dentist or something, super guilty pleasure to just sit and thumb through them, doesn't even matter if its a current issue! So I'm planning to use them to pass the time during earlier labor.