Each time I've given birth, I've taken music. For our firstborn, way back in 2001, this meant bringing along a few favorite cd's. The last few times it's meant bringing a well-stocked mp3 player of some sort.
Since I knew I wanted to try and give birth without any drugs this time (number 6 for us), I knew music might be even more important this time around.
In my research (see this post: An Epidural Queen's Guide to Natural Childbirth) I looked at a lot of other women's labor playlists. These gave me a few ideas, but being the over-preparer that I am, I knew I wanted more than one playlist. And I knew I wouldn't just want to randomly shuffle through some favorite songs during labor.
So, I put together four different playlists. A few favorite songs overlapped my four categories, but that was OK.
Here, for your inspiration (because I know everyone's music tastes are different, especially for such an important time) are my playlists for labor (note, these are all affiliate links to Amazon mp3 simply because I don't use Apple products):
Power Playlist for Labor:
This playlist was to encourage me when things were stalled or just to remind me that yes, I can get through this.
- Come What May
- Bless 'Em All
(Bing Crosby version) This is just a joke on my part, since I don't swear. Instead of swearing, bless 'em.
- Blow, Gabriel, Blow
- It's A Good Day
(Peggy Lee) This one always makes me happy.
- Keep On Walking
(Jem)
- Non, je ne regrette rien
(Edith Piaf) Labor is too late for regrets {wink}
- Please Send Me Someone to Love
(Fiona Apple) In other words: let this be over soon.
- The Best Is Yet To Come (2008 Remastered)
(Frank Sinatra) Because, obviously.
- Wunderkind
(Alanis Morissette)
- You'll Never Walk Alone
(Judy Garland)
- You Will Make It
(Jem)
- Bitter Sweet Symphony
(The Verve) A favorite from my teen years.
- Canto Della Terra
(Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli)
- My Silver Lining
(First Aid Kit) This one has some great lyrics. "Keep on keeping on" and "I won't take the easy road" being two of the lines that I needed in labor
Peaceful Playlist for Labor
This playlist was to settle my nerves, help me rest, or help me express emotion if I was sad or scared (I do not like being vulnerable but music can help with that)
- Break Me
(Jewel)
- And I Love You So
(Don McLean) An old favorite.
- Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
(John Lennon) In case I needed to remind myself of the reward: a new, beautiful boy to love.
- Beautiful Things
(Gungor) I listened to this one more than once that day.
- Boys And Girls Like You and Me
(Judy Garland)
- Broken Together
(Casting Crowns) More about marriage than having children, but it's one of my newest favorites so it made the cut.
- Coming Around Again/Itsy Bitsy Spider (Live)
(Carly Simon) Another old favorite from my childhood. Still an accurate take on marriage and one of my favorite lyrics: "Don't mind if I fall apart. There's more room in a broken heart." If that's not mom life, I don't know what is.
- Deeper Than Crying
(Alison Kraus and Union Station)
- Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World
(Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)
- Henry V: 'Non Nobis, Domine'
A favorite bit from the Henry V soundtrack.
- Annie's Song
(John Denver) Another old one.
- Keep Breathing
(Ingrid Michaelson) This one helped when we went through our miscarriage but it's a good reminder any time you're sad or scared. Sometimes you just have to keep breathing.
- Make You Feel My Love
(Adele) We recently used this on the iBoy's birthday video my husband made so I love it for more than one reason now.
- Melody Of You
(Sixpence None the Richer)
- No Fear Of Heights
(Katie Melua)
- Now We Are Free
(From the Gladiator soundtrack) I have never watched the movie (and I suspect I never will) but I've always loved this piece from the soundtrack.
- Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
(Hillsong United)
- Songbird
(Eva Cassidy)
- Song of India
(orchestral)This version I've linked to isn't exactly what I have but it's close.
- Swallowed In The Sea
(Coldplay)
- The Chain
(Ingrid Michaelson)
- The World Exploded Into Love
(Bob Schneider>
- Timshel
(Mumford and Sons) Another one that was significant to me during our miscarriage. The last two times I've given birth since our miscarriage, I've tried to do something that reminds me of that baby. With the iBoy I wore my necklace with the lost baby's name. This time I didn't, but he is never far from my thoughts when I'm in the hospital.
- One For Sorrow, Two For Joy
(The Innocence Mission)
- Shattered & Hollow
(First Aid Kit)
- Polegnala E Todora (Theodora Is Dozing)
An obscure piece from Bulgaria that has been meaningful to us since our second daughter was born - way back in 2004.
- There's a Light
(Beth Nielson Chapman)
Praise Music for Labor
This one was to help me fix my mind on Christ and take my mind off of myself. (Not surprisingly, this playlist ended up helping most.)
- Be Glad
(Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir) I love this CD - this is the title song.
- Beautiful Things
- Beautiful, Scandalous Night
(Robbie Seay Band) I have two versions of this song. Of the two, this one isn't my favorite but I still love the song.
- Beautiful Scandalous Night
(Sixpence None the Richer) My favorite version.
- Children's Prayer (Hansel & Gretel)
This version is slightly different from mine.
- It Is Well
(Crystal Lewis) This may have been the most helpful thing on my Kindle. I listened to it more than once (and even sang along for part). Powerful song (and Lewis has a great voice).
- Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
(Casting Crowns)A modern favorite.
- Goodness of the Lord
(Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir) Another favorite from the "Be Glad" cd.
- How Deep the Father's Love for Us
(Nichole Nordeman) My favorite modern hymn by one of my favorite Christian singer-songwriters.
- How Deep The Father's Love For Us
(Selah) I told you it was my favorite.
- It Is Well
(Greg Howlett) An instrumental version of my favorite older hymn
- Lord Have Mercy
(Michael W. Smith)
- Lord, I Need You
(Matt Maher) I sing along with this one every time - even in labor.
- Love Will Find Us
(Jars of Clay)
- Melody Of You
- Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
- Out of My Bondage
(Leigh Nash) Leigh Nash and Sixpence None the Richer have been long time favorites. This is one of my favorites from her Hymns and Sacred Songs album.
- Praise The King
(Cindy Morgan) - Praise The Lord Who Reigns Above
(Leigh Nash) Yes, I sing along to this one too.
- Tension Is A Passing Note
(Sixpence None the Richer) A favorite, but it seemed particular apt for childbirth.
- Wonder
(From The Lord of the Rings musical) Not exactly a "Christian" song but it seemed to fit here.
- Wonderful, Merciful Saviour
(Selah) Another modern hymn favorite.
Push Playlist for Delivery
OK, yes, this was kind of a joke. I did not, in fact, end up listening to music while I pushed out the baby. There wouldn't have been time anyway, because once I started pushing he arrived 3 1/2 pushes later. (I say 1/2 because my midwife told me not to push but to "Give a little cough" and out he came.)
But anyway, just for fun, here are the five songs I put on a "push" playlist:
- I Am Waiting
(Ollabelle) This is a fabulous song for a labor playlist.
- I Will Wait
(Mumford and Sons)
- Please Send Me Someone to Love
- Pushin' Against A Stone
(Valerie June). If I had thought of it, I would have added her song Tennessee Time
to one of my playlists too.
- Ring of Fire
(Johnny Cash) Another joke. And, blessedly, I did not actually feel any so called "ring of fire" when giving birth to this kid. It sounds awful.
Have you used music during labor? What songs would / have you use(d)?
