Can we talk music? « Back to Group Discussions

[cristeen]

Specifically calming, soothing, birth music?  What have you picked out?  What do you think you're going to use?

I really wanted some music last time, but didn't have anything ready, nor did I have the ability to get it done while in labor.  So this time I'm thinking ahead. 

I have a doula friend who insists that music listened to during labor needs to not have words, since the words engage the prefrontal cortex, and don't let you get into labor-land.  But most of my "non-vocal" music is classical, and most of it is to rhythmic for me to really find soothing.  I really want something that is more "flowy" for lack of a better word. 

So share what you're planning on listening to, please!

[Rowdie]

I've been using a music belly-band (a Christmas present), so our playlist will include the Ultrasounds CD that came with it (classical music--the squid seems to respond more to Mozart than to Debussi).

I tend to do yoga to Deva Preval and Wah!, whose music is Indian chanting so the (female) voice is more like an instrument to me, so they will be in there.  Since it's yoga, it tends to be a mix of soothing and rhythmic.  I'll probably throw some Lisa Gerard (from Dead Can Dance) in there too.

Let's see, purely flowy instrumental... There was a whole series that they used to sell at the library gift shop that incorporated nature sounds.  These are a couple we used to use in meditation:

http://www.amazon.com/Relax-A-Liquid-Mind-Experience/dp/B000UZ4GXC/ref=pd_bxgy_m_text_c

http://www.amazon.com/Peace-Andrew-Fitzgerald/dp/B00198F8KY/ref=pd_krex_shvl_7

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Relaxation-Anzan/dp/B0006BKHR4/ref=pd_krex_shvl_1

[casmer]

This is a good reminder...I really need to get on it.  We have a large music collection, so I'm not sure what I'll be in the mood for.  When I work on my trigger points, which are sometimes painful, Radiohead keeps my mind off of the intense pressure and I'm able to focus on what I'm doing.  I'm not sure how I'll feel about Radiohead in labor though, haha. 

I'm looking forward to everyone's responses!

[Astraia]

I didn't care with my first and we weren't at home so we didn't bring anything with us. I didn't notice, but I'm nto that "into" music, really :/

I totally meant to do to his with my second and never got around to it. DH is incapable of NOT having music playing when he's around and has access to something that makes music, so he just put on random stuff from his ginormous playlist. I definitely remember coming out of labour la-la-land a few times and focusing on the music and thinking, "what in the HELL is this s*$% ?"  His taste is much different from my taste, so a few times I was labouring to Eminem or some horrendous emo/screamo band. Not good.

This time it is an ESSENTIAL. I'd love some non-vocal music for the intense stuff to keep DH from changing it to HIS stuff, but not enough of anything to make me focus on it in a negative way.

[Kamiro]

I don't really care for music during labor. With my first I didn't use it, with my second I listened to bellydance middle eastern music and then "Coldplay" was playing, with my third...didn't use it there either.

I wanted to ask (FM I think it was) about ocean type sounds cause I am using hypnobabies this birth.

Otherwise, maybe some Isreali/Messianic worship music after I do the Fear Release and birthing affirmations parts of labor. I have a cassette tape called "Adonai - Voices from the land of Israel" that I really, really love and it is so calming.

[MeredithA]

I really like Sigur Ros - it is vocal, but they sing in an invented language (basically just nonsense words) and I think I might put that on my play list...but I need other suggestions as well. I am glad there is a thread for this now!

[forestmushroom]

I have all kinds of stuff on my ipod from Ocean waves, to bird meditation sounds with flowing water and Chinese flute, To Jane's Addiction!  I think sometimes lyrics are just there and I'm not really perceiving them as words, necessarily.

I also have some Gregorian chant, And other meditation tracks... Sarah Mclachlan, Shpongle, and some other psy trancy stuff.... Some french house that is very mellow and chill, too....

And Brian Eno Apollo... Maybe some phillip glass, but that might be too creepy, too.

Edited by forestmushroom - 3/25/12 at 3:21pm

[Masel]

So much of the music I like to listen to is lyric heavy. I brought all sorts of stuff I have a sentimatal attachment to but when it was actually played during labor it annoyed the heck out me. Even ocean sounds annoyed me because I'd envision a dark turbulent sea rather than calming waves. DH happened to bring a CD of Native American Flute Music which ended up being just about perfect. No lyrics. No rhythmn. It could wash over me but not distract. 

Emergence Songs for the Rainbow World - R. Carlos Nakai

In early labor I would march from one end of the house to the other during contractions and then Irish rebellion songs were great. Follow me up to Carlow was my favorite. 

[BubbleMa]

I'm working on this right now!  I made a couple different playlists.  One is just mellow music with words, like Damien Rice.  Then I made one with just instrumental music, like John Coltrane.  I also have one with meditation music, like Liquid Mind.  I think this will cover all the bases! 

PS, I'm using Spotify.  I'm going to have to get a trial paid membership so I can avoid the ads though.  Kinda jarring to hear that in between songs.

[lindsayjean]

I have so many birth playlists on my iPod because I'm a doula haha.  I also teach a ton of prenatal yoga so most of those songs are good for birth too.  I remember making an awesome playlist last time, and as soon as I get into things I told my husband to TURN IT OFF.  It was totally taking me to that thinking part of my brain and not allowing me to go deep like I needed to.  So I guess I can see early on stuff that you love with words, but once it gets into the thick of things, it's probably a better idea to have more neutral choices.  I do Hypnobabies so I'll be listening to either scripts or the relaxation music most likely, but I have a great playlist I call "birth sanctuary" that has these 2 really long songs called Soothing Sanctuary 1 and 2 that I downloaded off iTunes that a friend that is a prenatal massage therapist uses a lot and I love.  Very calming and neutral imo

[RenoKirbyButtrs]

I have been a little stumped by this task, too. Who knows what will be soothing and what will be annoying on that day? I was trying to think of non-lyrical music as well, but there is not much I listen to normally. I began thinking it would be more comforting to hear things I like to listen to normally, but that are kind of chill and positive. I made a station on Pandora with Zero 7, Ray LaMontagne, Louis Armstrong and Regina Spektor. Guess we'll see how it goes!

[cristeen]

Right now I'm "practicing" with music.  I light a candle, turn off the lights, turn on some music and get in the shower.  If I can just zone out and relax to that music, then it's a good choice.  So far most of it has been too jarring/upbeat/rhythmic for me though.  My DH is getting annoyed by my requirements though, and I finally pointed out to him that I'm looking for music to meditate to - jazz and blues aren't usually going to be appropriate.