Labor Playlist?

Emerald27

Some women find that listening to music while they're in labor helps them establish their rhythm and relax. I'm thinking of throwing a playlist together and starting to listen to it at night before bed while I practice relaxation techniques, so that I begin to associate the music with feeling comfortable and relaxed, and will be able to use it as a helpful tool for labor.

STMs: did any of you use music as a tool during your previous labor(s)? Did you find it effective or prefer silence or something else?

All the moms: If you're planning on having music in your "bag of tricks" for labor, have you started thinking about what music you'll listen to?

If you've made a labor playlist, what's on it?!

KelliRR

I haven't made mine yet, but "Push it" by Salt n Peppa will be on it! I'm doing dance music rather than relaxing music. That's what makes me feel good when I need to get work done.

pnwlover12

LOL to the "push it" reference above. How about Eye of the Tiger?!

With my first pregnancy, I thought I wanted to do a playlist, but when it came down to it...it was sort of like, ok, no song is really appropriate for labor and I don't want it ruined for me. I love Bob Marley, but I don't want to listen to 3 Little Birds when I'm in extreme pain pushing a baby out of my vag.

Liss1481

I made two playlists last time and didn't use either one.  We actually watched "Two and a Half Men" and "Family Guy" during labor.  I actually think "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" was on when I actually delivered but I had stopped caring well before that time.   :P

Emerald27

One reason I'm asking is to get a feel for the kind of music women like to use in labor. I assume some like the "nature" tracks like running water or ocean sounds or whatnot, and others want heavy metal!! I just don't know what I'll want to listen to in the moment, and I don't know if I forever want to remember listening to some popular song while I was in labor.

I've thought about classical music? Or piano? Or even some Irish instrumental music, but I don't know if that would be too lively for me to concentrate and relax... I think I need some music for distraction, some for relaxation, and some for encouragement: for the various stages of labor.

ADH0906

Ooh, good threat subject... I think I might put a playlist together to try, but I tend to be the type that likes absolute quiet when I'm concentrating so I'm not sure I'll like it. 

This made me smile because at our birth class this week, our (older but very sweet) instructor kept telling us that each room has its own boombox, and DH giggled every time she said it

MrsSarahRenee

I might use the playlist we use when we drive through National Parks. They are very mellow songs and since it is associated with such relaxing positive times, I hope it will relax me too. It is the Ken Burns National park documentary soundtrack and the into the wild soundtrack. Most of the songs don't have words which might be nice.

Part of me thinks I will be like shut that the F off!! But if it helps me kind of meditate, then that would be good so who knows!!

Wino411

KelliRR said:

I haven't made mine yet, but "Push it" by Salt n Peppa will be on it! I'm doing dance music rather than relaxing music. That's what makes me feel good when I need to get work done.

I doubt I do a playlist. I just don't see myself wanting music during labor... I could be wrong. But DH & I joked that if I did make a playlist Push it would be on it. lol. 

Liss1481

@Emerald27  Even though I didn't use them, I made one playlist that was more upbeat and energetic and one that was very mellow and relaxing.  I don't think you know what you'll want (if anything) until labor.  I'll probably do the same thing this time just in case I do want music.

Shellysliv

I am planning on having one, I listen to a lot of "relaxation" music at work to help with stress/bp.  I think I am leaning towards music like that nature sounds, piano, classical.  

MrsSarahRenee

@ADH0906‌ haha. Boombox. Reminds me of Kazaam and Say Anything. Exclusively.

mlhw NH

I've been listening to a lot of Enya for relaxation practice. It'll be good to see what others come up with. Maybe I'll be able to find more choices!

NavyFlyer

Add "safe and sound" by matthew west to your playlist. So sweet :0)

wildflower75

I made two playlists for my last labor...

Most of this labor play list has uplifting and calming gospel music


Most of this playlist has upbeat and empowering lyrics music:



The gospel one really helped when I started having the really painful contractions!!

Maggie6424

Since I have no idea what I'll want to listen to, I'm just making sure I have my ipod and the headphones. I am super eclectic, so I have everything from classic rock to Britney Spears to Breaking Benjamin. I also downloaded a bunch of "spa" type songs in case I'm feeling like I need some zen music.

jaydee1405

I'm taking my iPod which has anything from classical to heavy rock, I'll just shuffle the playlist and go from there x

jlz32185

I already put my husband in charge of the playlist. He's really into an eclectic mix of music and seems to be able to find the perfect song to match every situation. I did threaten him that if there is any Slayer or Pantera on the mix I will kick him out of the room. Lol

MorganWP

I thought about it/planned on having music last time because our hospital has little stereos with ipod docks in all the rooms. I was just going to put it on shuffle.

However I left my ipod at home and when it came down to it, I was shushing everyone and kicking people out if they werent quiet. Like seriously, I told my mom to be quiet or leave. (Not in those nice of words)

Sooo I probably wont use it this time.

vrj0522

I had a playlist and a couple of movies to watch during labor but none of it happened. My parents were in the room much of my labor (until I was dilated to 8 cm and got my epidural) and we just talked the whole time. Once my dad left, it was just my mom, DH, and I but still spent the time talking until it was time to push. I actually felt pretty good throughout the whole thing so didn't feel the need to get into "focus". 

Saragoeswest

I plan on listening to Takk... by Sigur Ros and some blues, depending on where I'm at in the process. Sigur Ros is my creative meditation music.

SCMomma

I'm just taking my phone and using a radio app. I have Hypnobirthing tracks and water/nature sounds too.

Aarg

pnwlover12 said:

LOL to the "push it" reference above. How about Eye of the Tiger?!

Um this is on my playlist... Haha!! ) Along with the final countdown and a few songs from the karate kid! I can't listen to peaceful music... If I have more intense music, I actually focus on the task at hand. It's basically the playlist I used to prep myself for theatre performances. It relaxed me and made me more focused.

Aarg

wildflower75 said:

I made two playlists for my last labor...

Most of this labor play list has uplifting and calming gospel music


Most of this playlist has upbeat and empowering lyrics music:



The gospel one really helped when I started having the really painful contractions!!

Smart!! I feel like I may be needing Jesus when the pain gets to rough!

LaDyBostonRN

ADH0906 said:

Ooh, good threat subject... I think I might put a playlist together to try, but I tend to be the type that likes absolute quiet when I'm concentrating so I'm not sure I'll like it. 

This made me smile because at our birth class this week, our (older but very sweet) instructor kept telling us that each room has its own boombox, and DH giggled every time she said it

LOL! This totally made me laugh out loud because DH and I would've done the same thing. And I too would have found them sweet for saying it ;-)

heatherjeanp

Maggie6424 said:

Since I have no idea what I'll want to listen to, I'm just making sure I have my ipod and the headphones. I am super eclectic, so I have everything from classic rock to Britney Spears to Breaking Benjamin. I also downloaded a bunch of "spa" type songs in case I'm feeling like I need some zen music.

I second this a little Rob Zombie, a little Mozart...bringing it all just incase!

Aarg

I just bought an audio jack cable at Target in the "$1-$5" section. That way you can hook up your iPod/whatever to and external speaker!

femail

I'm not sure if I'll want music or not, but right now I'm considering explosions In The Sky. They're instrumental. We used their song Your Hand In Mine as our processional song in our wedding. Love their music! If we go with music with lyrics, it will probably be 90's, which we both love lol

lrobi13

Pandora has my stations so I can switch genres if something isn't working. Or if I don't end up needing/wanting music I haven't wasted any time on an unused playlist.

I'm lazy like that!