Song Recommendations for Labor Playlist

You may want to bring a variety of types of music for different stages of labor. Mellow, relaxing music may be great, but you might find you want to listen to something more energizing and upbeat.

I was once at a birth where none of the music they had brought with them was working for my client. She was very disappointed and asked her husband if that was all they had brought. He had been putting their CDs in the CD player and said that the only other thing was the CD that a previous laboring woman had left in the CD player. She asked what it was and it was Chaka Khan. My client had never heard of her, but said to play it ... and she listened to it over and over and it was perfect for her ... upbeat and rhythmic.

For music more like Enya, you can go to Pandora.com and type in Enya and it will suggest similar artists that you can listen to before your birth.

Happy Birthing!!!

All the best,

T.
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T. H., CD(DONA)
B*E*S*T Doula Service
http://www.bestdoulas.com
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My favorite for labor is a CD called "December" by George Winston. It's all piano music and is beautiful!

Here on Amazon you can listen to some samples of the songs. http://www.amazon.com/December-Piano-Solos-20th-Anniversa...

Good luck with the birth!

I'm smiling as I type this. I am wondering if this is your first birth? I am reminded of my "best laid plans" and remember when I had packed so much for my first child's birth; I thought I was going to be so prepared. What a riot! As soon as the labor got down and dirty, I couldn't think straight. My senses went out the door. Everything I thought was cute or sweet before labot completely irritated me! Write back after you have the baby and let us know if your music was helpful! Good luck! Labor is hard but your little bundle of joy will be worth it!!!!

James Taylor! Worked for me :)

I used music from Wave Aid Vol. 1. especially Across the View by Richard Burmer, The Mermaid by Yanni, Mere Image by Manheim Steamroller, and Kei's Song by David Benoit. Mostly I used these because I meditated to them during my pregnancies. I would use others today (Norah Jones, etc.). Shoot, I'd try anything to keep myself calm, happy and in control.

Congratulations and best wishes for a happy, healthy baby (and birth)!

The soundtrack to "Out of Africa" is really good! Congrats!

The theme song from the movie "Somewhere in Time" (starring Christopher Reeves) is EXCELLENT! I used it while in labor with my son & loved it :-) Also, "The Three of Us" by Ben Harper is a good one.

I like Dave Matthews Band, Tom Petty Wildflowers, and Jack Johnson.

Hope all goes well on delivery day!

K.
http://oc.citymommy.com - the best site for OC moms!

I played a Kenny G cd during labor. It helped all the way to the very end, then I had it turned off. Hard to concentrate, lol! Hope this helps!

Hi L.,

When I had my first baby I was told to bring Hawaiian music and that the swaying/hula motions can help during labour. I didn't get to try it out since I ended up being induced and tethered to the hospital bed for the entire time but it seemed like a good idea.

Good luck!

First, congratulations!!!

We used Enya and Vivaldi's 4 Seasons. Now, whenever we hear it (it's my hubby's favorite classical music) we think of the birth of our daughters. A friend of mine was due Dec. 24th, and went into labor on Dec. 23rd and had Christmas music. Now, whenever she hears Choir of the Bells, she thinks of the birth of her son; he crowned during that peice. So, be sure to use music that you will enjoy relating the birth of your angel to.

Good luck, and I hope all goes well!

Hi L.!

I think half the fun is in the making of the list. When I had my babies (still in the cassette tape era), I spent days and weeks putting together tapes for each phase of labor. When the moment came, the LAST thing I wanted was more noise, even though it was all my favorite music. My poor husband hauled a dual tape deck boom box around the hospital for nothing!

But, if I were making one today, I would go with Mozart, Beethoven and Rossinni.

Enjoy!

Nora Jones was very soothing to me - especially the first album. Good luck!!

Hi L.! I played Andrea Bocelli and found that quite soothing. The album I specifically played was "Amor", it is beautiful music. And now, whenever I play it, it reminds me of that special day...I mean labor was difficult, but I got the greatest gift at the end of all of it! Good luck!

I Loved Madonna - ray of light!!!!! most of the songs are mellow and i found them soothing. just my opinion, obviously a personal choice. Good Luck with your labor!

I had Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and George Rowe(Rocketown Records) as well as some others I don't remember right now on my labor playlist. They all have really soothing voices. I think that Corinne Bailey Rae and Adele would be perfect, too. They were not out when I gave birth to my son. I would put them on if I had another, though. Good luck finding the perfect music and blessings on your delivery. Enjoy motherhood...it is the best thing EVER!

Just off hand stream of thought suggestions:
Poi Dog Pondering
Seal
Eddie Brickell
Sade
The Church- "Starfish"
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Jack Johnson
Or, Music tracks that just feature "nature" sounds... forest sounds, rain, the wind, etc.

All the best,
Susan

Embryonic Journey 1:40 Jefferson Airplane
Stealing 1:37 Leo Kotke
Atlantic High 2:09 John Fahey
Amelia 3:53 Dorian Michael
Little Martha 2:37 Leo Kotke
Intro to Ocean Waves/Ocean Waves 6:31 John Fahey
Beach Day 3:41 Dorian Michael
Poor Boy 2:07 Leo Kotke
Irish Setter 7:18 John Fahey
Cardinal Rule 4:02 Dorian Michael
The Sailor's Grave 2:34 Leo Kotke
Juroscho Ascopi 5:20 John Fahey
How Could We Know 3:42 Dorian Michael
May This Be Love/Casey Jones 3:28 John Fahey
The King's Hummingbird 4:01 Dorian Michael
Melody McOcean 6:42 John Fahey
Manitoba Moon 4:33 Dorian Michael
Rain Forest 6:47 John Fahey
Redondo Rondo 3:17 Dorian Michael
Requiem For John Hurt 5:08 John Fahey
Staying Ahead Of The Break 4:29 Dorian Michael
Samba De Orfeo 3:12 John Fahey
Such A Disappointment 3:43 Dorian Michael
St Patick's Hymn 2:38 John Fahey
Vermeer's Circle 4:19 Dorian Michael
View 4:57 John Fahey
The Way We Dance 4:27 Dorian Michael
When The Catfish Is In Bloom 7:41 John Fahey
When Arizona Meets The Ocean 3:47 Dorian Michael
World Is Waiting For The Sunrise 2:35 John Fahey
Coolidge Rising 2:50 Leo Kotke
Yellow Princess 4:52 John Fahey

My suggestion:

Keep what you already have because when that pain hits, you won't be able to hear, taste, smell, see....etc!
Congrats thou!

gregorian chant is relaxing. i have a cd of some instrumental piano music. send me a personal message later and ill tell you what its called. i cant remember right now and im running late so thats why i cant tell you here :)

If you have digital cable with music stations, go to the "Soundscapes" channel. They have all kinds of soothing music (like a spa!) and it lists the name of the cd and the band.

Best of luck for a quick and painless delivery!

Any relaxation cd's work well.
Also light classical.
Nature sounds (water trickling, ocean waves, rainforest animals, etc).
Sarah McLachlan

I also put my Hypnobirthing 'guided relaxation', 'birthing affirmations', and other guided meditations on my playlist.

Whatever you've listened to during your pregnancy to help you relax or meditate (you should meditate/relax at least once a day!) will help you instantly relax while in labor...which is essential!

Over the rainbow, I am not sure who sings it but it's on the 50 first dates soundtrack, I love that song!

I am a big fan of Enya! I walked down the aisle at my wedding to her music. For my labor, I liked Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. I found it soothing yet upbeat at the same time. It inspired me to get through 24 hrs (and 2 min.) of my labor. My neighbors probably thought I was crazy because I was walking outside breathing through my labor while blasting Lord of the Dance. Now everytime I hear the music, I smile and think fondly of that day.

For my second birth (I was induced), I listened to hypnobirthing cd's on a portable cd player with headphones. I highly recommend looking in to hypnobirthing!!! My second labor was much easier than the first, even with petocin. The cd's are fantastic!!!

Also, there is a musician that I heard while in Palm Springs at a fair. His music was so amazing that I had to buy his cd (and I do not normally do that). His name was Frederic Delarue and the cd I bought was called "A Mind Like an Ocean".

Please check out the website: http://www.fredericdelarue.com/homepage.html

Also, anything by Secret Garden is beautiful!
http://www.secretgarden.no/

I wish you happy, healthy birthing!

How about Push it by salt and peppa. hehe

We used Anugama's Shamanic Dream 1 & 2..loved them! I heard them in a prenatal yoga class and went out to buy them immediately. I would listen to them while taking a relaxing bath, hold my belly and visualize a healthy strong labor. Once in labor I think my hubby cared more for the relaxing music, as I was very intensely focused on breathing. And by the time I was ready to push, the CD had ended and none of us were paying attention to the music...ha! Good luck to you!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Shamanic-Dream-Anugama/dp/B00005TZOE