What Music Did You Listen To In Labour?

[GeorginaA]

I'm trying to think through what I would like to listen to on the day. I'm guessing what I need is something with a reasonable beat (but not too overwhelming) and without lyrics to distract too much.

I thought Deep Forest would fit the bill as I remembered loving that and finally tracked down a CD, but now I'm sitting here listening to it I've realised that actually I associate it with some very strong feelings of depression I had about a decade ago - it wasn't until I listened that it came flooding back! So, not the best choice, probably

So, what did other people find helpful during their labour, or did you end up planning a musical extravaganza only to completely forget to turn the CD player on?

I packed loads of CDs. CDs, lavander candles, and all sorts of stuff and the bag didn't even get opened!! I was in a world of my own and to be honest wouldn't have wanted any outside distraction. It was head down and getting on with the job in hand. However I was fully dilated when I arrived so perhaps if I'd gone through the contractions at the hospital it might have been nice???

Anyway, I'm being no help!! Good luck and enjoy

DH had the job of compiling mixed tapes of suitable "womb music" and general stuff to listen to in labour. We had all sorts on - 1st labour, went on for ages - everything from chill out stuff to "Schoooool's out for Summer"!! In the end dd was born to Kylie "Love at First Sight" (aahhh). Which was lucky as the next song on the tape was Radiohead with lyrics something like "you can push it but it just won't come".

Ah how appropriate!!!

we didn't listen to anything - you couldn't have heard it over the very verbal labour of the woman in the next suite!!! I don't think I could have concentrated on anything anyway - too much else to think about!

No chance for music with my 4, but I think I would have worried about ending up hating the song after all the pain it would have been associated with!

Watermark by Enya did it for me, v uplifting, and used to play it while practising my breathing and relaxation before the birth too. Other side of the tape was a compilation of some of the mellower stuff from Van Morrison, U2 and Clannad (remember the theme from Harry's Game?).

I had other tapes too but somehow this one seemed to just hit the mark at the time. I remember DH timidly suggesting we change the tape after about the 8th hour of labour, for which he got his head chewed off! I was doing so well with the breathing + tens machine that I didn't want to change ANYTHING in case it all went horrible wrong.

mozart's clarinet concerto again, again and again