Are you wondering what type of music your labor playlist should include? Most women want to incorporate music into their births, but are often confused about what type of music to listen to. Luckily for you, I have a degree in Music Therapy! Here are some guidelines to help you compile music that will be perfect for your own unique playlist.
Choose:
1. Music that is beautiful.
For your labor music to be most effective, you need to love listening to it. Set aside time to truly listen and find music that you enjoy and look forward to hearing at your birth. It needs to be a lovely distraction that will be easy for you to want to focus on.
2. Music that relaxes you.
My clients often want to listen to music that pumps them up, but this is the opposite of what you want during births. Relaxation is key to a successful birth. Not only does being relaxed make contractions less painful, relaxation also helps labor progress in a timely manner. So pick music that is simple and helps your heart rate slow down, your breathing become rhythmic, and helps you feel at peace. Find pieces that are simple and free flowing, and with just one or two instruments. Something that reminds you of a peaceful stream. (My favorite: Kelly Yost, Piano Reflections.)
3. Music that energizes you.
This may sound like a contradiction to number two, but hear me out. Labor can be long, and often occurs during the night when we are tired. If you find yourself exhausted during your labor, then you need to find music that helps you wake up and become reenergized. It still needs to be relaxing, but can have a stronger beat and more instrumentation. The music should be rhythmic and entertaining enough that listening to it invigorates you and helps you stay motivated.
4. Music that inspires you.
Though lyrics can become bothersome as labor progresses, music with a positive message can help keep your mind optimistic and your heart happy. Music with religious significance or positive messages can do wonders for your mental health during labor!
5. Music that makes oxytocin.
Oxytocin is the hormone of love, and also the hormone of labor! So turn on some tunes that turn you on! Too weird? Turn on some lullabies. Music that makes you think about your baby will help your brain make more oxytocin, helping your labor progress. It also reminds you that your discomfort has a purpose.
6. Music that matches how you feel.
As labor gets more intense, make sure your music does, too. Music is most supportive when it matches how you feel. Transition feels a lot different than early labor, and the music you listen to should reflect that. Think full orchestra, movie soundtrack. Trade in your free-flowing relaxation playlist for music that has a lot more tension and release in it, with a lot more instruments. (My favorite: Out of Africa soundtrack)
7. Music that makes you feel like you.
Sometimes labor can be long and frustrating. Have some tunes on hand that always lift your spirit and make you happy. Don’t listen to them for too long because they probably won’t be appropriate for all of labor. But it’s ok to take an emotional time out and listen to something fun and upbeat to help you get your game face back on.
Adding the right music to your birth can make your birth less painful and more relaxing. Practice relaxing and breathing slowly as you listen to your music will help your body automatically relax when it hears your labor music on the big day. Then trade in your labor list for lullabies, and enjoy rocking your new baby to sleep!