Music during labor

[Illaria]

I am compiling a playlist of some of my favorite songs to help distract and/or relax me during the first part of labor. In later parts of labor when contractions get more intense I am thinking that relaxing music without lyrics would be best. Does anyone have any suggestions for music without lyrics that worked well for them during intense labor times?

[FREEmom1120]

The Pride and Prejudice soundtrack (minus a couple of them - you'll know when you listen) is really, really nice piano music.

I made a whole play list for my labor but it ended up distracting me at one point from relaxing so I had to turn it off.

My friend just pushed her baby out to the 300 soundtrack.

[Celticqueen]

Originally Posted by FREEmom1120

My friend just pushed her baby out to the 300 soundtrack.

OMG I could have peed my pants just now ya know

That's flipping awesome! Now if THAT wouldn't empower you in labor, I don't know what would!

My husband is obsessed with that movie and I have watched it more times than I can count with him. He has the whole soundtrack that he has played over and over again- pretty intense sometimes- such as the movie.

Now I *have* to put some 300 songs on my birthing itunes playlist- for early on. Probably wouldn't be able to handle it toward the end.

Thanks for the laugh!

-Caitrin

[Celticqueen]

...but wait. Your friend listened to it during pushing? I'm trying to imagine it. Now that I think about it, there are a couple songs on there that are quite beautiful and less jumpy- like the love scene.

Fun stuff to think about

-Caitrin

[FREEmom1120]

Originally Posted by Celticqueen

...but wait. Your friend listened to it during pushing? I'm trying to imagine it. Now that I think about it, there are a couple songs on there that are quite beautiful and less jumpy- like the love scene.

Fun stuff to think about

-Caitrin

She said she wanted him to have an "epic" entrance to the world.

[janasmama]

Medicine Woman by Medwyn Goodall.

There are several different CD's they are all good. I'm getting ready to download some more for this birth.

[Leisha]

Heh I was just thinking of posting this question

I have a really hard time imagining what I'll want to hear during labour... relaxing stuff?? Rocky/powerful/epic stuff?? Classical music?? Happy pop songs???

So I've just filled my MP3 player with all sorts of music and hopefully I'll find a few things I like!

Leonard Cohen, Kylie Minogue, Enigma, Amy Winehouse, Paganini, Björk, etc etc etc lol.

[jeninejessica]

There's lyrics, but I LOVE wailin jennys for birth music. It was playing at my doula trianing, and I found it soooo relaxing. Some songs are more upbeat and suited to earlier, but in some of them, the harmony is just absolutely mesmerizing.

[HoneyTree]

I'm thinking of getting together a CD of African drumming. I think that my challenge is going to be in letting go, in connecting with my instincts and intuition, so I'm looking for something more primal and trance-like.

[wbg]

I listened to shanti by snatam kaur, some deva primal, basically all my yoga cds.

[Mommy2anangel]

Originally Posted by FREEmom1120

My friend just pushed her baby out to the 300 soundtrack.

Funny you mentioned this. I was talking to DH about music during labor and asking him to suggest somethings he'd think I'd like, and he suggested the Gladiator soundtrack (his favorite soundtrack). He said that he'd be commanding me to push, push to the music! Luckily he didn't get a nice push to the side of his head

[*MamaJen*]

I spent hours compiling all these elaborate mixed CDs -- chill, punk, rock, instrumental, gypsy, all different sorts -- and I know they were playing during my birth, but I don't think I heard a single note, I was so deep inside my head.
My midwife said she really enjoyed them, though.

[ladyelms]

My ds2 was born to the Braveheart soundtrack. :b

This last one was born to Loreena Mckennitt, but there's lyrics, albeit tranquil. I wanted Dead Can Dance or Lisa Gerrard for my recent birth, but never got around to burning the perfect compilation. A primal drumming cd like mentioned upthread would be pretty awesome.

[battymama]

I really really loved radiohead, gave me energy but was soothing at the same time.

[laohaire]

Maybe I shouldn't post since it's not the answer the OP is looking for - but while I assumed I'd want some music (I didn't put together a playlist or anything - didn't have to since I was at home and could have gotten/demanded anything I wanted) I really did NOT when the time came.

Now I can't imagine wanting to listen to music during labor. Going into laborland was the only thing for me, and music would have disturbed that for me.

So anyway, just something to think about. By all means put together a playlist, but don't feel like you "have" to listen to it. And if things are getting unmanagable for you, consider turning the music off and having everybody shut up

[starshine1001]

Originally Posted by Mommy2anangel

Funny you mentioned this. I was talking to DH about music during labor and asking him to suggest somethings he'd think I'd like, and he suggested the Gladiator soundtrack (his favorite soundtrack). He said that he'd be commanding me to push, push to the music! Luckily he didn't get a nice push to the side of his head

Heck yes! Specifically Elysium...

[kbond]

So far my list looks like:

Beethoven
Return of the King soundtrack

I know that I'll want more, but I can't come up with anything.