If you used music during labour...

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January 2nd, 2011, 06:15 PM
Arimeh

If you used music during labour...

... did you use music that you absolutely love or a different type?

I'm going to start putting together a selection of music, and I first thought that I would put songs on there that I really really love, never get sick of hearing etc - that sort of thing.

Then DH said that I should put some relaxation stuff on there. And some chanting type music as well that is supposed to resonate within your body and ease any ailments etc..

So now... I'm all confused -and wanted to know what people actually found themselves listening to if they listened to music :D
January 2nd, 2011, 06:17 PM
Indadhanu

I listened to music, I listened to stuff I loved at the time, and now can't listen to it at all. It sucks, I really like the music. Maybe one day, but sinec her birth if I put it on I get pretty emotional memories.

I've since heard 'sound' music like classical or instrumental relaxation music, rather than 'word' music with lyrics, are better in labour as they aren't as distracting and they don't engage the lanuage section of the brain and allow the brain to function more primally. Dunno how true it is, maybe someone who knows can come on and explore that a bit more.
January 2nd, 2011, 06:28 PM
Mum2Romone

I wanted that salt and pepper song, Push it real good.... But my brother didn't burn the cd in time....maybe next time ;)
January 2nd, 2011, 06:31 PM
human bean

Can you use an ipod/mp3 player? Load it up with all sorts so you have a selection ready at hand? That way you won't really have picked the 'wrong' thing as you'll have it all ready to go depending on how you feel at the time.

FWIW I knew what I wanted to listen to, it stopped about 10 mins short of her actual birth, but I was too worried to ask DH to go press play in case she came out and he wasn't there ha ha But I kept thinking between pushes how spewing I was the tracks had finished lol Love listening to the CD now too.
January 2nd, 2011, 06:31 PM
kawazuki

im sure there is an app for your new iphone hun with labour music

or google in itunes some labour music.

but i think earthy music would be better, and start listening to it soon to help your body relate to it and get in tune with the rhythms it has.
January 2nd, 2011, 06:35 PM
ree

with my first i was 19 and didnt really prepare with music so i just listened to the radio i dont no what station it was but they had bob the builder song playing while i was pushing her out and everytime my daughter heard it after she was born she would cry
January 2nd, 2011, 06:38 PM
LimeSlice

I am making several different playlists... lol

Some nice kick you up the arse stuff, some more of the pan flute water flowing over rocks crap, a good old hardcore Armin van Buuren and a more mellow pop one - all my Beatles and stuff.

Hopefully will mean whatever mood I am in I have something ready to go!

Always have wanted to give birth to some S&M though...think that will be cool.
January 2nd, 2011, 06:41 PM
~Stoked~

I listened to Lisa Mitchell's album "Wonder". It was so beautiful having some upbeat songs then some slow, sweet songs. I still cry every time I listen to that album. When that cd ran out, Gotye was next in the player and I screamed at DH to turn it off! Not the time nor place for Gotye!
January 2nd, 2011, 06:52 PM
Tiff+2

We just had the radio on with DD#1 (the radio was broken 2nd time round! Gotta love public hospitals in small towns!!!), but to be honest didn't pay much attention to the music at all. Too much going on :)
January 2nd, 2011, 06:54 PM
angelaartsstudent

I just listened to the radio. One of the commerical stations had a special broadcast that night on 'vintage' hard rock...it was pretty cool.
January 2nd, 2011, 06:58 PM
beansbeans!

We used music with DD1 (labour was way to quick with DD2 so I missed out there).

But I chose music that affected my moods. I had music got the energy going (music I normally clean to), music that relaxed me, music with happy memories of DH and I. I also put in some music that DH just loved, I figured he would need some through out the whole experience too. (gosh I'm good to him).

In the end the music we had for labour did things for me. I had my fav TOOL cd, to which I normally clean too (It focused me, got my mind onto the job at hand, and it gave me the energy to get through the labour. Also DH went to see this band only a week before we found out we were pregnant so its special), I also had some sevendust which I play to get the anger and frustration out (gosh that was good once the contractions got really bad, one of my fav bands and it holds greay memories for us). Then I had some ben harper which relaxs me...

Ironically DD1 was born into this world to Ben Harper's song morning yearning, which is all about families, and in particular new bubbies. Just perfect :)

Choose music that fits you, music that you hold dearly. Personally I wouldnt go with anything that isnt familiar nor resonate with you
January 2nd, 2011, 06:59 PM
meow

All pregnancy I listened to a piece of ambient music (in my birth montage) and relaxed... it became a reflex to relax when I heard it. I planned to listen to it on repeat if I listened to any music at all but when I wanted it I was too deep in labour to ask so I hummed it in my head and enjoyed the relaxation from it still.

As a side- I can now play it to my baby and it calms him too :)
January 2nd, 2011, 10:09 PM
diva det

i had a mixture of relaxation and my normal IPOD stuff as well
and as it turned out DS2 entered this world just as "Riders on the Storm" by the doors was playing!! LOL

i have a bit of a chuckle everytime i hear that song now!
January 2nd, 2011, 10:28 PM
Taurean

I had all my favourite albums on my iPod ready to rock. I laboured for 6 hours in the hospital and I can only remember listening to Tracy Chapman as I think I kept demanding it be played again :lol: I particularly loved the song 'I'm Ready' (lyrics below). I loved it and will use her album again next time

I want to wake up and know where I'm going
Say I'm ready
Say I'm ready

I want to go where the rivers are overflowing and
I'll be ready
I'll be ready

I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me

If it's love flowing freely
I'm ready
I'm ready

If the waters can redeem me
I'm ready
I'm ready

I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me

Oooooh, Oooooh

I want to wake up
I want to know where I'm going
I want to go where the rivers are over-flowing

I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready
I'm ready
I'm ready
I'm ready
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready (I'm ready)
I'm ready (I'm ready)
I'm ready (to let the rivers wash over me)
I'm ready (I'm ready)
I'm ready
I'm ready
I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me
I'm ready
I'm ready (wash over me)
I'm ready to le the rivers wash over me
I'm ready (I'm ready)
I'm ready (I'm ready)
I'm ready (to let the rivers wash over me)
I'm ready (I'm ready)

Save a place for me
Save a space for me
in your heart
in your heart
Save a place for me
Save a space for me
in your heart
in your heart

Cause if you wait
I will come for you
If you wait
I will come for you
If you wait
I will come for you
If you wait
If you wait
If you wait

If you wait
I will come for you
If you wait
I will come for you
If you wait
I will come for you
If you wait
If you wait
If you wait
Save a place for me
Save a space for me
January 2nd, 2011, 10:58 PM
Anila

Forgot to take a cd with my first, wish i did cause it was 10 hrs but with my second, i took Christina Agulira (sp) and gave birth standing up to "Dirty"!!
I never had time to listen to cds with my other 3, had the radio on for 1 of them, they were all born an hour after getting to the hospital, but i think i might take something this time!
January 3rd, 2011, 06:24 AM
thepixie

The Bear put together a really long chillout mix which was awesome. Most of the time it was just background but there was one song that I hadn't heard before and between contractions I said "what is that? it's beautiful". I still really like listening to it and it was DD's bedtime music for a while. At the end though, it cuts into that Lily Allen song "smile" which really doesn't fit the mood. It sets my teeth on edge now because that was playing when she was born and not breathing/ being resus'ed.
But I still love the rest of the mix and some of the songs give me goosebumps even now when I hear them.
January 3rd, 2011, 02:07 PM
MrsB26

I ended up putting only music that i loved on my labour and birth cd. It was a mixture of funky and relaxing song. In early labour i sang along to them and it helped me focus through contractions. Later though - thru the harderst part i couldnt have told you what was playing although at one stage i kept saying "oh i love this song" but apparently the cd had finished and nothing was on :0 - well i was hitting the gas and air pretty hard :rofl:

While i was pushing i was aware of the music (cause they took the damn gas away!) and Evie ended up being born to Outkast - Hey ya - which i swear gave me a boost of energy for the final pushes as the previous song was Norah Jones.

I also didnt bother putting them in any particular order as my ipod just organised them alphabetically so i burnt the cd the same. They ended up being in a really good order and i still listen to my cd in the car every time i drive and i love the feelings and memories it brings back listening to it.
January 3rd, 2011, 02:11 PM
Arimeh

Awesome thanks guys :)

I might go with my favourite song list - which will be HUGE.... so will have to start going through our music folders on the hard drive to put onto my iphone. Eek. What a job. Thank god I have 10 weeks up my sleeve (well... hellllloooo... its me.... I'll have about 12 weeks left!!!)

Thanks everyone!!!