Question about music playlist for labor

AppleMuffins · September 2013

Hi there.This may be a bit of a dumb question, but I'm hoping some BTDT moms can help me out.

I'm trying to plan out a playlist for music while I'm in labor. From what I've read online and what was suggested at our birth class, the suggestions were to have a list of calm, soothing songs. However, I have to say that some of the songs they played during the pain management practice at the birth class really just annoyed me. I am not an Enya person... However, I realize I might be in a different mindset during labor. So, for those who have been through it, did you truly need to listen to calming songs, or were you ok just listening to songs you enjoyed, whether they be rock, pop, classical, etc? I welcome all input or even song/CD suggestions.

Thanks!

Arielle27 · September 2013

Personally I wouldn't have noticed if I had had music in the background during my labors, they were too quick and intense... That said, it never hurts to try!

I would just put together things that make you relax, be it Mozart or heavy metal...

huntjul · September 2013

Ugh, music during labor. Again? You're not going to care, so don't worry about it.

barista411 · September 2013

I understand where the other ladies are coming from but I would like to incorporate music into my labor. I have been listening to music while doing yoga and practicing my meditations. I believe the association between the calming times through out your pregnancy will help create a calming environment while in labor. I was in labor with my first for just under 10 hours and would have liked some calm relaxation during the beginning of labor to set the tone for when the intensity began to increase. With all that said I think music preference is up to you. Whatever calms you and makes you feel relaxed. I have been listening to the relaxation station on pandora, Imogen heap, the shins, frou frou, pretty much anything from the Garden State Soundtrack.

nodito · September 2013

I'm a runner and I always listen to a "pump me up" song before a race. So I chose a similar style song and dubbed it my official labor and delivery song. I've been listening to it periodically throughout this pregnancy and will probably listen to it again in labor, though not on repeat. If music works for you, I say go for it. I would definitely go with music you like in real life and not expect to suddenly desire soft, peaceful (boring) music when you're in labor.

Another thought, if you don't want to stress about creating a playlist is to sign up for Pandora and just have a custom radio station playing in thebackground.

AppleMuffins · September 2013

Thanks for the tips. If I don't end up using it then fine, but I rather have it incase I want it and not have to bother skipping through songs I don't want to listen to. I do know that one way I help myself fall asleep sometimes is to listen to music and try to really focus and sing the lyrics in my head to push out any thoughts of whatever else might be keeping me up at night. I'm hoping it might be able to help me get through contractions a bit since it might give me something to concentrate on rather than the pain. Obviously I don't know if it will help, but I rather have a wide range of tools at my disposal to try than bank on thinking one thing is going to help and in the moment it does nothing. At the very least, trying a bunch of different things might buy me some time .

annabelle.27 · September 2013

I think it might depend what kind of labour you have. We didn't have music when I was in labour with my first, and when we were planning a homebirth with our second, I thought it might have been nice. So I made a playlist, but my labour ended up being so fast and intense (I was pushing 45 minutes after my first contraction, and I screamed my head off that whole time because I swear to God I was in transition from that first contraction) that it never occurred to us to turn the music on. It might have been nice, if I had been able to calm down enough to hear it. It probably would have been nice during my first (16 hour long) labour. As it was, we laughed our asses off later at our optimism that I would be hanging out in the birth tub, peacefully humming along to music. But not everyone will have the same experience

aylafsu88 · September 2013

Arielle27 said:

Personally I wouldn't have noticed if I had had music in the background during my labors, they were too quick and intense... That said, it never hurts to try!
I would just put together things that make you relax, be it Mozart or heavy metal...

This. I like waterfalls and nature sounds so I made a playlist with that type of stuff. In reality, when I was in labor, music was the last thing on my mind. I had a quick labor (11 hours from the first contraction to holding LO) with intense back labor so there was no time to think about music. IMy doula and H used counter pressure and positive words. Those things got me to relax more. I do think you should have something on hand just in case but don't be surprised if you don't use it.

hamiltks10 · September 2013

I took weeks planning my playlists for the birth of my son. When the time came, my DH ended up putting on a Pandora station...and we listened to that the entire time. Haha.

I don't regret spending all of that time on the playlists though. When I hear some of those songs, it brings back so many emotions from those last few weeks before he was born. I love hearing that music still.

Edited to add: I totally didn't answer your question! I had two playlists ready: one for early labor and one for when it got hard. I had relaxing, slower songs that I loved on the early labor soundtrack, like Zac Brown Band. I had the music from the Hypnobirthing CD and a soundtrack that my prenatal Yoga instructor gave us on the playlist for later in labor....all were songs without lyrics.

spicysurro · September 2013

Ive been a dancer my whole life so music will hopefully be a nice part of my labor. I understand that it isnt for everyone but, of course, everyone is different including their labors. I would look into Jack Johnson, I have heard a lot of women using him during labor and I love his chill music!

JJ_13 · September 2013

aylafsu88 said:

Arielle27 said:

Personally I wouldn't have noticed if I had had music in the background during my labors, they were too quick and intense... That said, it never hurts to try!
I would just put together things that make you relax, be it Mozart or heavy metal...

This. I like waterfalls and nature sounds so I made a playlist with that type of stuff. In reality, when I was in labor, music was the last thing on my mind. I had a quick labor (11 hours from the first contraction to holding LO) with intense back labor so there was no time to think about music. IMy doula and H used counter pressure and positive words. Those things got me to relax more. I do think you should have something on hand just in case but don't be surprised if you don't use it.

This was me exactly. My labor was 8 hours, and we did have the music on but I don't remember it much at all because those 8 hours were very intense. If you like to get massages, I would choose whatever music you like to listen to during massages, but that's just me. I was trying (without success!) to create a psychological association with relaxation.

rooftop · September 2013

I had a calm soothing play list but at one point I said "fck this zen bullsht" and had hubby put pandora on my volbeat station. lol I guess just be open to whatever you feel in the moment.
ETA my labor also lasted over 75 hours so I needed a change in energy towards the end and being able to sing along really helped me get through tough times. I'll never forget the boost I got from jason mraz- I won't give up. Now I see that as my theme song for having my lil girl and I sing it to her often.

AppleMuffins · September 2013

@hollywoodvibe18 oo, Jack Johnson is a good idea! I don't typically listen to his music, but it does seem like it could be good for labor.

I think I'll just separate my songs into two playlists and see what I feel like at the time. Ina May also suggests singing to help relax the mouth and throat, which is supposed to help the cervix relax. I doubt I'll want to sing, but I'm willing to give it a shot!

ScorpioMum · September 2013

I listened to music with all 4 of mine. My playlist was very eclectic. I had some instrumental music, some Irish lullabies, and certain songs that I personally love (Cranberries, Metallica, etc.). I wanted different things at different times so I brought my ipod. I'm planning on doing the same this time.

SweetPeaK26 · September 2013

Ill try pandora, but I also plan to do an audio book. Thinking if I can concentrate on a book, even one I've already read, it will pass the time faster. I'm not a huge music listener though.

I have done two deliveries and no music at either.

sallywacket · September 2013

My labors are fast. First 2 hrs. Second 3 hrs. First time I made a long playlist and never even listened to it too busy birthing a baby!
This time I didn't make one but I had 2 hrs at birthing center before DS was born. I put on a song I thought would help and it was the PERFECT labor song! For me at least. I played it on repeat for 2 hrs if labor/birthing and 1 hr after and it was always perfect!
Come Let Go by Xavier Rudd

insertclevername · September 2013

I put together a few different playlists to anticipate different moods. I had one with classical music, one with a lot of Jack Johnson, Coldplay, and other mellow music that I enjoy, and I also had the Heartstrings: Visualizations for Pregnancy. I did not use any of them but it felt good to have them just in case.

jackersCU · September 2013

I had every intention of listening to my playlist during labor, but I never wanted or got a chance to. Things moved really fast for me. That being said, I put a lot of music on there that I listened to throughout my pregnancy like Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, and a couple yoga songs that really inspired me. I basically put anything on there that gave me motivation to keep going.

Pockety · September 2013

I listened to Pandora, Bob Marley station, during my entire labor and birth. I do like reggae, but its not a usual go to for me, unless I'm at the beach in the Caribbean or something! But it was a great combo of relaxing, happy, and upbeat, to me.

We had created two playlists beforehand. One was energizing, pump you up, type music, and one was relaxing. I figured I'd probably want one or the other. Didn't touch either one.

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