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music to listen to during labor--seeking suggestions
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Anonymous
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Hi, I read about a study that shows that listening to relaxing music during labor decreases the amount of pain reported. I am getting close to the end and would welcome suggestions of mellow music that would be helpful. Music that evokes the water or nature would be especially nice. I have a couple of Enya CDs, but would like to try some others.
Thanks! |
Anonymous
| I can't make any specific recommendations, although I did listen to a lot of mellow stuff (mostly jazz) during labor. Interestingly, though, as soon as it was time to push, I was all of a sudden in the mood for some hard core rock 'n roll! The energy surge was incredible and the upbeat music really helped. My son was born to the sound of the Stones... |
Anonymous
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DH brought his guitar into the delivery room - he played for the entire day, was even taking requests from nurses!
We sang through the epidural (anestesiologist was a Bill Joel fan). I pushed through the last 6 songs of our favorite Beatles album (whih was playing on the laptop, not his guitar) It really helped me think about something other than the pain. Just pick whatever music you like. |
Anonymous
| I played classical on my iPod while I labored. |
Anonymous
I think listening to Enya during labor would have made me want to jump out of the window!  I wonder if Enya is a permissible form of interrogation for terrorism suspects?
I always have to laugh at these threads a little, because every pregnancy book/class I've ever heard about makes this recommendation, as if all women need soothing, or will somehow be able to ignore the labor pains as long as their favorite song is playing. If you are a big music fan, or listen to it a lot, or find it exceptionally soothing -- by all means, take whatever is your favorite music, but I'd take a variety of stuff... because when the time comes, you might prefer AC/DC/s "You Shook Me All Night Long" to Mozart or Enya. I just laugh because, for me, I approached labor much more like I would a big project at work... I geared up, concentrated, and got it done. (Why is that redneck comedian's "Get 'er doooonnne!" ringing in my head?) That's just me. My dear husband was trying so hard to help me make a CD of my favorite songs (having read the books), and did a great job... but the CD only was played for a few minutes, then I decided I was bothered by it, and wanted silence. I totally understand some women want to relish in the experience. I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. |
Anonymous
| I agree with the pp. If you tend to listen to a lot of music and that is something that is important to you in general, then by all means bring a variety of music with you. However, just know that it is really difficult to know ahead of time what you will want your environment to be like when you are in labor. I love music, but - when I was in labor - I wanted the environment as quiet as possible (no TV, no music, lights dimmed, etc.). I became VERY internal and everything external was an annoying distraction. So, it's really hard to tell. |
Anonymous
| I agree with the last two posters and was coming to post something similar. Although I love music, I hate it while I am actually under pressure, working, focusing, etc. It distracts me from what I am focusing on. So, I wasn't exactly surprised when I didn't want to listen to music during labor; it's just another area of focus, concentration, stress. |
Anonymous
| I agree with the last two posters and was coming to post something similar. Although I love music, I hate it while I am actually under pressure, working, focusing, etc. It distracts me from what I am focusing on. So, I wasn't exactly surprised when I didn't want to listen to music during labor; it's just another area of focus, concentration, stress. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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My husband put a bunch opf music together for me on the i pod.
1 song was "I want to be sedated" by the Ramones! It made me laugh |
Anonymous
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For atmospheric instrumental, I really like Peter Gabriel's soundtrack to the Last Temptation of Christ. it's called "Passion." The "Big Blue" soundtrack is also soothing and has some water-y sounds. Some of Angelo Badalamenti's stuff from the Twin Peaks soundtrack albums might be good.
For classical: I'm partial to Chopin's Piano Concertos #1 and #2, and possibly his piano nocturnes. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2. Handel's "Water Music." The adagios from piano concertos by Schubert, Schumann and Liszt. Mozart's Piano Concerto #23. Some Tschaikovsky ballet music (Romeo & Juliet, Swan Lake.) Maybe a few of Beethoven's piano sonatas. (Moonlight, Pathetique, Apassionata.) For jazz, I'd recommend Miles Davis' "Ballads and Blues", most of Diana Krall's albums, the best of Dave Brubeck and Stan Getz and perhaps some Eva Cassidy and Beegie Adair. Maybe the soundtracks to Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally, too. oh, and if I need more aggressive music for heavy pushing, I'm going with "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine and "Sober" by Tool. 
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Anonymous
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How about JTs' Bringing Sexy Back during the final throes of labor? That should make for a good laugh and you'll think differently of the song everytime you hear it
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zumbamama
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| I bought a meditative CD at my acupuncturist office...I think it is called Seven Metals, and it is not really music, but relaxing tones, chimes and stuff. My husband uses it in his therapy practice and the patients LOVE it. Very relaxing. |
Anonymous
| I made a "mix tape" for labor too. It had a lot of Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and M Ward on it. It was kind of depressingly mellow, but it worked for me. |
Anonymous
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I put Randy Newman's "Bet No One Ever Hurt Like This" on one of my playlists -- not actually all that funny once I was in labor. Oops.
I'd add John Pizzarelli, Chet Baker, other Randy Newman, and John Hiatt to the suggestions above. |