I'm wondering what music everyone has listened to that hit the spot or totally missed the mark for you during your birthing.

I want some get-up and get-goin' music available for pushing, if I'm feeling it. But totally want some relaxing music for the laboring, too.

Hhhmmmm....

I got some harp music and enya cds from the library and made a nice mix. Worked wonderfully for relaxation :thumb

I listened to ardas and it was perfect - tried music with lyrics and I screamed for it to be shut off.

I had a hug list of music i planned on listening to but ended up listening to one cd, over and over. AND over. :lol It was a zen meditation CD.

I planned on bringing my laptop to the birth center with my whole mp3 collection on it, as I didn't know what mood I would be in at the time. However, I ended up not having my laptop, not even bothering with the radio they had there, and not missing a thing. I was enjoying the silence... I'll come back to this thread once I give birth and see how this one went, musicwise!

I just listened to music that typically inspires me. I didn't have birthing music different from what I normally listen to -that would have felt contrived to me.

I think I ended up listening to ani difranco, regina spektor, and maybe a few others.

I spent hours compiling a series of mixed CDs and gathering albums I thought I would want to hear, from punk to chill instrumental stuff. I know it was playing during the labor, but I was so far in laborland I don't think I heard a minute of it.

We watched movies. The Princess Bride and Van Helsing. I don't live too far from you, so you're more than welcome to borrow them.:lol

I had a hug list of music i planned on listening to but ended up listening to one cd, over and over. AND over. :lol

LOL.... Me too. My Ipod had over 4 straight days of music loaded on it and all I listened to was piano pieces by Yiruma until I hit about 5cm then back labor really set in, then I switched to Hypnobirthing meditations 'til I hit transition (6 hours roughly), at that point all noise became irritating.
My hypnobirthing instructor was gracious enough to record me over an hour of personalized meditations that I found to be super beneficial during class.

I played "Bring me to life" by evanesence. Wasn't really that relaxing, but it was inspiring. That song calms my baby down in about ten seconds when I play it for her now.

i like this thread and just wanted to say so and bump it. i am intersted in the responses as i won't be pregnant again fo a while, i am a doula and this was a thought i often had during pregnancy.

I spent lots of time making a playlist for my first birth and I didn't end up listening to it at all (it was never turned on b/c I didn't want any music)!

The Police, Synchronicity

I just gave DH his birth preparation assignment to get together 2 different playlists for me for the birth, to be done by 36 weeks so I can review them. :p I told him I want one that's a good "get it done" upbeat list and one that is more chill and relaxing. He always picks the perfect song for things.

My only request so far is that song by the Weepies, I think its called "I Gotta Have You" or something.

We'll see if I actually listen to it or just scrap the whole thing!

I listened to Mazzy Star in early labor (listening to it now brings me back!!)
And during heavy labor I listened to The Postal Service but did not hear it at all. In fact there was a point where there was a confusing raucous song on and my midwife was like What IS this? It brought me out of laborland for a second to laugh!!

Next time I will bring my Ipod. I could have used the music directly in my ears for distraction.

I love my krishna das and jai uttal chanting CDs.

If you like Mikey Hart, he has a disc out he made especially for his wife in labor called "Music to be Born By"
I planned on playing that during labor, but I had a huge contraction as I was trying to plug in the CD player and at that point my midwife called and the next thing you know I was in the tub and forgot all about it!
Its a great disc, though!

I had on a CD with lullabies on it (instrumental, no lyrics) that was very soothing. :)

I played a CD of my favorite sacred music, Faire is the Heaven by the Cambridge Singers. It along with Yo Yo Ma's recording of the Bach unacconpanied cello suites is my all time favorite and best loved music. I sort of sang along in latin and english and because I knew all the songs so well it distracted me from the discomfort and kept my mind on the amazing harmonies. I also picked it because for me, it was the perfect music to transform my bedoom into a sacred space to give birth. The CD finished and I gave birth in silence (except my vocalizing) which was just perfect for me.

Xavier Rudd :love

My only request so far is that song by the Weepies, I think its called "I Gotta Have You" or something.



Ah! My favorite!!!! Anything by Deb Talan or the weepies is on my birth music list. So soothing. And of course, Amy Steinburg.