Music for Birth

[moon mountain mama]

Any suggestions for good, relaxing music to birth by.
One recommendation is Jennifer Berezan's, ReTurning, very beautiful, tranquil, and relaxing.

[squeakermansmom]

my fave, norah jones

[Datura]

Zingaia was AMAZING during my first son's birth. http://www.heartmagic.com/zingaia.html

[ilikethedesert]

Originally Posted by moon mountain mama

Any suggestions for good, relaxing music to birth by.
One recommendation is Jennifer Berezan's, ReTurning, very beautiful, tranquil, and relaxing.

I listened to ReTurning during my dd homebirth and it was AMAZING! The birth and the music. Planning to listen to it this time, too. I definately recommend it!

[LynnE73]

I really liked Steve Halpern's "Comfort Zone" as it had no lyrics and no irritating new agey sounds!

[zoie2013]

Deva Premal was great for mellow times. I also listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers for energy

You never know what you might need energetically, so it's a good idea to have all types available.

One of my favorite, delicious memories from my ds' birth was my doula singing to me. She has a gorgeous, gentle voice. a I can recall it whenever I wish and go right back into my birth memories.

[Belleweather]

Last time we had a mix of stuff my midwives chose, lots of soft acoustic alternative stuff from the late 1990s, and it worked great. I really was too gone in labor to care what was on the stereo, but it was nice to hear some favs (Nora Jones, Indigo Girls, Cowboy Junkies) float into my consciousness while I was laboring.

I think this time we're going to do a couple of big MP3 mixes, one of the same sort of stuff we had last time and one of some celtic-influenced laid back electronica (ie. Dagda, Afrocelt Soundsystem). I just have a feeling that this birth is going to take way more energy and be faster and more intense than the first one, and want music that will keep up with that.

[MayLibertySprout]

I listened to "Wish you were here" by Pink Floyd. (I know sounds corny!)
I had a cd case full of different stuff, and my labor went so fast and intence that I just said "put anything in!" and whoever it was chose that. It REALLY helped me focus and work with the contractions. During one very intence moment (did I mention it was intense! ) The music stopped and I was like, woken out of a trance, my midwife asked what was wrong and I said I NEED that back on!! Everyone got a kick out of it and laughed...sorry didn't mean to ramble!

[jauncourt]

I used Vivaldi's Four Seasons (I don't even know which arrangement), adn I think I went through a hundred years of them by the time DS1 was crowning (long, slow labor). It was good, because I could talk myself through the contractions because they would rise and fall like the music of the seasons. I did the labor mostly alone, alternately moving and resting in my room at home, and having something that felt like it was cyclical and moving with me was really helpful.

Maura

[AnnesMoM]

I was all set to listen to a long play version of Pachebel's canon with 3 movements, but when I was in labor it turned out I couldn't stand to listen to music since it interrupted my concentration.

[calipigeon]

My midwife and I danced around to the Beatles and CSN&Y during my labor. Have lots of options. Pick some thing that makes you feel strong, Sinead O'connor's Universal Mother maybe and something relaxing too.

Have fun. Birthing is great.

[njbeachgirl]

I liked toots and the maytals while pushing.

for more mellow stuff i like ben harper and the innocecnt criminals- live from mars 2, and ralph stanley- mountain gospel.

[Emilie]

I listened to a relaxation tape I had had since childhood- it had background music and was so wonderful. I listened to it the weeks before my birth as well. I felt it helped immensely. It had nothing to do with birth just relaxing.
Emilie

[elspethshimon]

I like Malian music because I find it simultaneously relaxing and energizing.

[SaraGriffin]

My husband played Pink Floyd's concert dvd of dark side of the moon on TV for me, it was perfect. Thier music is conceptional so there isn't a ton of lyrics to it on that album. It was the best music he could have put on, it ebbs and tides and now whenever I hear it I am back in that warm water!

[Eaglevoice]

hypnobirthing!

[arizona_umi]

i'm creating a birth playlist for my ipod. it'll include Oumou Sangare, Ali Farka Toure, Tinariwen, Erykah Badu, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Baaba Maal and Ami Koita

[ollineeba]

Where can the ReTurning CD be found?

[happyhippiemama]

subbing!

[mom2mializ]

I love just about everything George Winston has recorded! It's solo piano, and much of it is relaxing, but some of it is very powerful, if that's what you're looking for too...