Any Singers?

[kl5]

I am due with our first child at the beginning of September. My DP and I are both musicians and our band has just been offered a show during what will be my 37th week. The pay is more than we've ever been offered before and I would really like to say yes if possible. But I am having a hard time imagining whether I will even be able to sing at that point. Where will my lungs expand to?! While we need to let them know this week about the show, we can say yes and I will still be able to back out nearer to the time as I am one of two singers and the other one will be able to handle it alone. But I would love to be able to do it if possible. The money will come in so handy at that point, plus the show sounds like it will be lovely. Any other singers here or other relevant experience or stories? Does this sound unreasonable?

[smeisnotapirate]

Are you just singing? Honestly, the hardest part of being pregnant for me has been the guitar-playing. It got impossible around week 32 because of the bump and hand positioning. But I'm not a spectacular guitarist.

As for the singing, I think you could do it - you need to go over the music you're doing and either pick songs that give you ample breath opportunity (you will most likely have a baby in your lungs at that point) or work out the breathing you'll do for the songs you're planning on doing. Not a time to be doing challenging stuff.

You'll also want to take into account that 37w is totally within a normal range to have a baby, so you may not even MAKE it to the concert. Also, you'll want to think about how comfortable you are travelling to a show that late in pregnancy.

Personally, I worked past 40w with my DS's pregnancy with no complications (except exhaustion ) and I plan on "working til I pop" with this one too.

It's the other things I'd worry about - the commitment you'd be making and possibly breaking since it's a one-time gig.

[Calleiah]

I actually did some of my best singing in my last trimester with DD2. That uterus is a great "pushing" point for sustaining notes! Depending on what you're singing you may end up a little short winded by the end though. I remember getting done and just sitting down and huffing a little.

[kl5]

Thanks for the replies. Good to know it's possible! I found a couple of good articles online agreeing with the consensus here. Sounds like it will be different, but not necessarily bad.

Yes, just singing. I will be able to sit down at will (which I already am doing more of lately), so I think it will be OK. But yeah, I think the real issue is the possibility that I will go into labor early and cause stress for all involved. The show is about 3 or so hours away as well. I guess I will leave it up to the other folks in the band (and the organizers) as to whether they are comfortable switching to a contingency if my DP and I aren't able to make it.

[smeisnotapirate]

Sounds smart

[tngirl11]

Originally Posted by Calleiah

I actually did some of my best singing in my last trimester with DD2. That uterus is a great "pushing" point for sustaining notes! Depending on what you're singing you may end up a little short winded by the end though. I remember getting done and just sitting down and huffing a little.

I totally agree! I feel like the farther along I get, the better my breath support becomes!