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Childbirth

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Original poster

How long was your c section playlist?

28 replies

Yrmyfavourite · 20/02/2023 22:27

Hello,

How long was your c section playlist? I've got a playlist I used to use to get DC1 to sleep which i thought would be a nice one to use but, there's only about 10 songs on it and I’m wondering if that is enough?

I've not had an ELCS before as, DC1 was an EMCS and music wasn't given any thought under those circumstances!

Thank you in advance x

OP posts:
MsChatterbox · 20/02/2023 22:27

I've had an emergency and planned and never heard of this before!!

Eranzer · 20/02/2023 22:34

I've also never heard of this but I think my c section took around 45 minutes, maybe an hour start to finish if that helps?

Claymorekick · 20/02/2023 22:49

During my first c section, the surgeon had the radio on listening to Test Match Special 🤷‍♀️ wasn't asked about what I wanted to listen to.

Second one (planned), i have absolutely no idea whether there was a radio/music - again, was not asked and certainly never heard of a playlist.

lipstickwoman · 20/02/2023 22:51

Why do you want one? Do you need to block out what's happening? Do you need something to calm you?
You will be the only one listening (through buds) so it's really about what you need

FTMFML · 20/02/2023 22:54

Never heard of this....
I think although a nice thought that probably you'll get swept up in the moment and not really care about the background music.

Lavender14 · 20/02/2023 22:57

Mine took 45 minutes start to finish and the playlist I'd made lasted about an hour and a half. We were so high on nerves and excitement the day of that we completely forgot to use it! But i would recommend it there were a couple of points I would have liked to have had it for but still had an amazing experience! Good luck!!

googledidnthelp · 20/02/2023 22:59

Not long enough!

However to be fair once little man was out and I started to feel ill it wouldn't have made any difference.

It was nice for the first part though to have music we had been listening to and planned for the special moment. The whole theatre was listening not sure why some are suggesting you won't be able to play it out loud as my theatre staff were very accommodating to still make it the birth I had hoped for.

lauryloo · 20/02/2023 23:01

BBC radio 2 was on when my daughter was born. The hospital staff had it on and I wasn't going to to make them listen to my awful taste in music

MrsAvocet · 20/02/2023 23:01

I was told I could choose the music, either pick the radio station or take my own in.I took a CD in (it was a long time ago!) but in all honesty I can't remember being aware of it and have no recollection of what song was actually playing when DD was born, I was far more interested in what was going on! But if you take around an hour's worth of music I would think that would be about right.

lochmaree · 20/02/2023 23:01

I didnt have a playlist for my ELCS, Radio 2 was on and LO was born just as Jeremy Vine came on Grin I think the while thing took maybe an hour and a bit.

PandaOrLion · 20/02/2023 23:05

About an hour? I asked the consultant who was very happy for me to play it. They said they enjoy it when women bring in a playlist as it breaks up the monotony of the radio!

soddingspiderseason · 20/02/2023 23:07

Ask them to put the radio on. It's then a lovely pot luck on which song is on when your child is born. My eldest was "Don't you Want me Baby" and youngest was "Pretty Woman". They both now love those songs, and when they come on the radio I have a little smile.

snowflake29 · 20/02/2023 23:09

I was aware of a radio being on during my ELCS but I was too busy chatting to DH and the anaesthetist to even pay attention to what was playing! They take about an hour max start to finish assuming no complications.

jackstini · 20/02/2023 23:15

I had nothing with Dd as she was an emcs

Radio with ds who was born to Greatest Day by Take That followed by It's Raining Men!

HelloBunny · 20/02/2023 23:19

Had EMCS but I hadn’t thought about any birth music... It’s a nice idea though! Very nice anaesthetist chatted to me throughout. No idea what DH was doing!

LemonSwan · 20/02/2023 23:22

We didn’t prepare anything. The nurse asked what genre is our favourite. We both looked at each other, laughed and said I don’t think they should listen to drum and bass; please play what ever music the surgeon desires to concentrate and do the best job they can.

They chose upbeat classical string quartet type music, my son was born to what I think was the theme tune of Bridgerton. And an excellent decision that was. 10 months on and my scar is impeccable. Completely smooth and barely visible. That woman was like a god with a knife, thread and needle. Very pleased with our non choice of music and how it all turned out.

OdeToBarney · 20/02/2023 23:29

The anaesthetist asked what we'd like. We said we're Radio 2 Trevor Nelson fans.... and DD was born to "Last Night a DJ saved my life" 😁

Dyra · 20/02/2023 23:47

Ideally you want at least an hour, probably closer to hour and a half to be safe, to cover the spinal, operation, and clean up. If you want it playing from when you're in theatre that is. If just the operation an hour will do.

Absolutely nothing wrong with a 10 track playlist if you don't want to add to it, it can just be put on loop. If you really want to, you can even tell us what song you'd like to be playing as baby emerges.

Source: Obstetrics theatre worker with a Spotify account.

I'm now wondering what music was playing when DC2 was born. 🤔

louise5754 · 21/02/2023 00:01

Is this for you to listen to after you've had the baby? Or are you planning on playing it so your baby can hear?

Original poster
Yrmyfavourite · 21/02/2023 14:47

Thanks for the replies!

I've made it about an hour or so long - it can always loop. I also don't mind if there are some songs missed if it's not played for that long!

Those questioning why - several midwives have told me there will be music on throughout the surgery and have recommended bringing my own as it is both calming and also, means we won't be listening to some terrible world events on the news or songs we dislike. I like the idea 😊

Thank you!

OP posts:
1Wanda1 · 21/02/2023 15:15

I've had 3 CS and no one ever asked me what music I wanted played while they happened!

Jericha · 21/02/2023 15:25

Great thread idea OP, mine's booked for next week and have also been told I can have a playlist. Mine will also be elective after an emergency with my first. So far I have three songs, my mind has gone completely blank!

Chanel05 · 24/02/2023 11:18

Heard the radio on in the background during my second emergency section. I requested Christmas songs (it was December) and they laughed and said no.

Original poster
Yrmyfavourite · 27/02/2023 02:12

Just an update for those curious!

No one specifically asked for a playlist on the day of my section but, I asked my midwife just before she took me through to theatre and she said yes of course and reminded me to take my phone through with me. The radio was on when they took me through to theatre and they switched it off and put my playlist on. (One tip I have is to put it on shuffle so you don't know what to expect next!)

The surgeons and midwives sang and hummed their way through my playlist of lighthouse family, the Beatles etc, which was lovely because DH and I got to sit and talk about what each song meant e.g. our first dance song, the only song DD1 would fall asleep to when she was a newborn and so on. Then my baby (a little girl by the way!) ended up being born to Ellie Goulding's 'How long will I love you'. It was such a special moment and even had a couple of the girls in the room welling up too. After the surgery was finished, the surgeon thanked me for the playlist and said it was one of the best she had heard!

I'm so glad I did it and highly recommend doing the same.

My playlist was about an hour long in answer to the original question and we got through quite a few songs but, I don't recall hearing the same song twice so, I think it's a good length to aim for!

Back to my baby bubble now... Thanks all 🥰

OP posts:
Snozzlemaid · 27/02/2023 02:20

Great update.
So glad it went so well and helped.
Congratulations on your new dd.

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