Labor music? « Back to Group Discussions

[SunnyPerch]

So is anyone putting together a labor play list?! How do you know what kind of music will help you in your laboring-mama-groove? I don't know where to start. Should I just go with Pandora, or try to compile some of my favorite music into one playlist on my phone?  Also any suggestions for instrumental, peaceful, empowering stuff?

[bostonmummy]

What a great question! I'd love to know what you mamas have done in the past, too!

[Vegan Princess]

I put together a playlist last time. I made it something like 8 hours long. I listened to the first part while I labored at home and then when we went to the birth center I brought out Bose docking station and it got started from the beginning again. I appreciated having the music though I think I tuned it out a lot at the end. I'm still super stoked that DD ended up being born to a song by my absolute favorite artist. DH nor I had any idea which song was playing when she was born, but one of the student midwives told us. That album is super special to both me and DH now. I used to sit and listen to the playlist while DD was a newborn and it would bring tears to my eyes. I am still sooooo sad that I accidentally erased my fricking ipod. I know I put the playlist on a disc but I can't find it!!

I plan to recreate the playlist to some degree. Last time I put some mellow stuff then get me pumped up stuff for when I thought I'd need to be pumped and then more mellow. This time I'll probably only do mellow. I pondered using Pandora, but 1) I have the cheap free version with commercials and 2) there are still plenty of songs I don't like that come on and I doubt I'll be wanting to have to skip songs while laboring. 

Thanks for reminding me. I may start on this project sometime soon. :-)

Cindy

[ladyleah]

I love this topic!

I am a board-certified music therapist---so music was very important to me during my birthing time. I had made several mixes for myself and also planned to rotate with my hypnobabies tracks when I needed them. I thought I would want music that I usually find relaxing most of time.

But.....when it came down to it, I labored at home in silence the first 12 hours (because my husband was asleep and I just laid in bed most of the time...lolol)-- and listened to a few hypnobabies tracks here and there. And once I got to the hospital I ONLY wanted to listen to: Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin....over, and over, and over...and (you get the picture) again. LOLOL It was too funny. I listened to them for about 8 hours straight and never wanted any hypnobabies tracks played- or my birthing day mixes I had created. (and yes, my son is 2 1/2 and LOVES all those artists as well! lol)

So, my suggestion is to bring lots of things on an ipod....make many possible mixes, and see how the mood strikes you and what you really want to hear. You never know what your mind/body/spirit will desire in the moment!!!!

[sillymom44]

Lady leah- great idea! It would suck to only have one type of msic, only to find that revolting!! I was thinking my yoga music would be perfect, but Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin might sound good to me too!! Lol

Ps-- Music therapists are awesome-- I am a speech pathologist and could have used your expertise many times in the past!

[ladyleah]

Thanks Sillymom!
Yes, I would have been bummed out if I had only had access to my original playlists which included some of Chuck Wilds Liquid Mind series (lots of people enjoy it for relaxation in my line of work), some Keith Jarrett Koln Concert pieces, some chakra toning pieces (I know, strange mix already....lolol) and again, I thought I would listen to a lot of y hypnobabies tracks because they always relaxed me before.
So this time I am keeping iPad fully loaded and seeing where I want to go! Who knows....this may be a Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd baby!!!

[micromama]

Fun thread! I had a playlist with my first birth -- in the end it was a pretty eclectic mix, stuff like Kate Bush, Enya, Eva Cassidy, etc. But to tell you the truth I have no idea what song my DD was born to :) I totally tuned it out. I'll probably do another list though, just to have music in the background- a good labor distraction!

[pregnova]

cool thread! Music was the farthest thing from my mind last go around, but in retrospect, it probably would have helped a LOT to calm me down in all those hours of early labor! I do plan to have a lot of music available this time, but I know that I like repetitiveness in my labor, so I imagine I'll end up with a song or two stuck on repeat for HOURS! lol poor hubby and doula!

[Angelorum]

I didn't plan any labor music last time, and I really didn't want any when the time came.  I just got a music degree, so it's not like I don't like music!  I just preferred quiet.  Well, during early early labor we were at the movie theatre (I was determined to see Harry Potter 6 before baby came, I went into labor as soon as we got to the theatre, though I wasn't convinced it was the real thing yet).  It was late when we got home, and we went to bed, but I only got a little sleep before the contractions were too much to lay down through.  I wanted to let dh sleep as long as  possible, so I left the bedroom and just labored alone in the dark for a few hours until my water broke and I thought we should call the midwife.  I didn't want any light or noise, just quiet solitude.  It was my favorite part of labor.  I've got several playlists on my ipod and computer, and I'll fire them up if I want, but I don't think I will. 

[SunnyPerch]

What a variety of experiences! I never got to labor with my first so I don't know how I respond yet, whether I'll want silence or something more. I was thinking tonight that some of the music played during my yoga classes (specifically Native American flute music) really resonates with me. So I will get some of that on my phone and also some playlists of more everyday music I enjoy. Pandora may be final destination music-wise, who knows. :)

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

I've made a couple of playlists for labor.  There's one that's a mishmash of lots of music I've enjoyed over the years.  I'm starting to think it will annoy me though so this morning I made a second one that's softer, more woman-focused, folksy music for the most part.  

I've put this song on the new playlist about 10 times.  I think it's going to be exactly what I need to hear over and over while I'm in labor...like on long musical affirmation!

We'll see which (if either) playlist suites me better at the time.

[Vegan Princess]

UndertheOak: Where did you get the MP3 of the song? It's beautiful! My 3 yr old says she doesn't like it. LOL. Watching that clip is making me emotional. 

I put together a bunch of songs but I really need to try and arrange them better. Right now they are alphabetical. I think I'm going to do that tonight or tomorrow bc DH won't be around in the evenings. 

Cindy

[pregnova]

lol, I'm in love like LOVE with Renee and Jeremy. The music is meant for kids, but idk...I've been loving it this pregnancy. How awesome would it be to have your baby born to "Welcome to this World"?!!!

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

Cindy,

I found it on amazon..  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NX9LYS/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1344634644&sr=8-3

[SunnyPerch]

Aw I love it! I get teary just thinking about it...

Originally Posted by pregnova 

lol, I'm in love like LOVE with Renee and Jeremy. The music is meant for kids, but idk...I've been loving it this pregnancy. How awesome would it be to have your baby born to "Welcome to this World"?!!!