Music for labor

earthgirl · 08-02-2006, 02:09 PM

Does anyone bring music to the births, in case the Mom forgot hers? If so what do you bring? Obviously, it's individual to the Mom's liking. I have a lot of peaceful relaxing music, but struggle with the upbeat stuff to keep things energized.

fearlessbirth · 08-02-2006, 02:19 PM

I have several relaxation CDs in my bag...some celtic, nature sounds, beach waves, piano, instrumental Christian...I've not used any of them yet cause I haven't had a mom that brought a CD player or wanted music

MothertheMother · 08-02-2006, 02:24 PM

I keep a cd player and music in my birth bag. I do encourage mom's to find relaxing music before the birth but none of them have yet. I just have a couple of cd's with nature sounds with music and one that is classical. They don't seem to care what is on, just that the beat of the music gives them something to focus on. My first birth...the dr joked that he was going to order cd players for every room because he loved the atmosphere it created. I noticed it did have an effect on everyone that came into the room, not just the mom. It also helps me in massage etc. When transition hits I notice I massage in sync with her breathing but earlier in labor I tend to massage to the beat of the music...and she tends to breath with it....

AussieDoula · 08-02-2006, 03:02 PM

I have a lot of "Zen" CDs with relaxing music, and some Enya-type stuff. Usually for the more upbeat music, mama already has particular favourites in mind and will bring her own to the birth. The slower-paced CDs are the ones she usually doesn't have on hand, so she can listen to my collection to choose things that resonate with her and how she views her birth going.

I also have a CD called "Music To Be Born By" which is over an hour long and plays the rhythmic sound of a baby's heartbeat with a simple musical pattern dubbed over it. The rhythm helps mama focus on the beat and control her breathing. It was made by Mickey Hart (one of the drummers from Grateful Dead) using his son's heartbeat in utero. I borrowed it from our local library, then bought it online but haven't had an opportunity to use it yet because my mamas have preferred the other music I've had or brought their own.

My all-time favourite, which gets requested the most is Paul Winter's "Prayer For The Wild Things". This is a CD I ordered from BMG Music almost 10 years ago!! I love it, and my mamas have too. A lot of Paul Winter's music is really good, but this one is great for labour and birth because of the rhythm and the drums in many places, and the wind instruments during down times. I really think it brings a spiritual element to their birthing space too, since it has chanting and the like (inspired by Native Americans).
I'm pretty sure you could buy it almost anywhere, and hear samples online (maybe try Amazon.com).
I made 2 copies of it that I use for births just in case one ever gets damaged or "lost".

I also play videos showing relaxing scenes set to music. I have one that was intended for Yoga & Pilates but is great for birthing mamas. It has a variety of scenes like the ocean, the sunset, the forest, and more. It plays the sounds of waves, wind, a babbling brook, the rainforest, etc. Mama can have the sound and images running, or turn down the sound to watch the scenes quietly or play her own music in combination with the images. I have a portable TV with a DVD player built in, but all places I've used this method already had one for us to borrow.

I bring a small, portable CD player and a headset just in case mama wants to go inward with her music to help her focus. Sometimes mama has her own, and she brings it but I still have mine in my bag as a back-up (or if I need music too hehe).

jesscardona · 08-02-2006, 03:21 PM

That's something I would have to look into... haven't had the chance yet..

DL · 08-02-2006, 03:27 PM

I LOVE it when my moms use music for labor/birth!

I have them bring their own CD player and music, however. I am very particular about what types of music I'd like for this event, and I assume that others would be as well. Music is just so personal, and I don't feel confident that I can come up with something that they will love, myself.

I do offer to help them to find some options, but they usually choose to do it themselves. Some of my moms have chosen no music, but the ones that have, well...lets just say that it made the whole room more calm and the experience even more beautiful.

ctowndoula · 08-02-2006, 04:58 PM

There is a group called "The Dead Can Dance" (I think it includes "the") that has a live album. It is very tribal and some celtic. It sounds very different from the rest so make sure you get the live one.
It has some great upbeat songs and after every song you hear

and

. I know it is silly but I like it.

earthgirl · 08-02-2006, 05:28 PM

thanks for all the great feedback!

joandchris18 · 08-02-2006, 06:41 PM

I have to tell you about my first cert birth. It was for my aunt(only 11 years older than me) so very personal for me and her as well. Our whole family loves Patsy Cline, especially her. So, of course we had that playing for the last hour of labor and throughout pushing. It was awsome how it transformed the room and how everyone(as in nurses and OB) sort of mellowed as they entered the room.When mom has special music like that that is personal to her it seams to make her experience so much more special and personal. Anyway, we all loved it so much. Highly rcommended for all moms to do the same.

doula Michele · 08-03-2006, 10:01 AM

I never bring music for them. I tell them to bring Cds if they want. (I find all those zen and nature cds really distracting and annoying... and I only listen to country with some modern stuff my kids listen to thrown in. LOL I am weird.) So far none of my clients have brought their own Cds, or if they did, they found them to annoying to listen to much beyond early labour.

One client laboured strictly to country music on the radio... with the song 'if your going through hell, keep on moving." playing several times. Now everytime i hear that song I think of her birth.
Michele

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-03-2006, 11:00 AM

I also bring a small CD player and about three discs. I always tell my clients that if there is something in particular that they want, than they need to bring it, but I mention to them that I bring music too! My altimate favorite is from "lLife Scapes" (I think that is what it is) They are the ones you can buy at Target! The best one is (at least I think so, lol) is 'Relaxation for Women' it is awesome! I played it at least once every birth. I've had so many compliments from midwives and nurses about that cd! Their yoga disc is great too! I also love Celine Dion's Miracle, it has some great lullabies on it! I want to buy a few discs of Jack Johnsen ( I think this is his name, hehe) He is the guy who did the whole 'Curious George' soundtrack. His music is both upbeat and relaxing!

hope this helps a bit!

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-03-2006, 01:12 PM

Okay, this got me thinking and searching! LOL Here is some info for those of you who want it! If you go to www.compasslifescapes.com you can search their product line and even order the cds from there. They are the same price as Target, but you will probably have to pay s/h. I'm gonna list some of my favorites, some I already have and some I want. Just click on the preview button to hear a sample that is about a minute long. You can also hear one full length song on most of them, just look at the list on the right of the page when you pick an album.
http://www.compasslifescapes.com/sho...ItemID=445822&
http://www.compasslifescapes.com/sho...?ItemID=93577&
http://www.compasslifescapes.com/sho...ItemID=393673&The first two I have, but I want the third. I also want Day Spa, Music for Mind and Body, Sleep, Living Yoga, and Pure Relaxation 1 and 2. They have a fun up beat one called Cardio http://www.compasslifescapes.com/pro...ItemID=473087& This could be a good one for up beat, but who knows! I mainly just use relaxing music. I have not as of yet had a client want something up beat.

To hear a sample of Jack Johnson's work you can just go to myspace page and I have one of his songs on my profile www.myspace.com/kalamazoodoula
I hope you all enjoy listening!

AussieDoula · 08-03-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalamazoo Doula

To hear a sample of Jack Johnson's work you can just go to myspace page and I have one of his songs on my profile www.myspace.com/kalamazoodoula
I hope you all enjoy listening!

I love Ben Harper (check him out if you like the sound of Jack Johnson).

Thanks for taking the time to post those links, hehe!

doula Michele · 08-03-2006, 02:06 PM

I like jack johnson too.... kind of beachy. i don't know if I could listen to him for long periods of time though.

Michele