Throughout pregnancy, not only is music beneficial and relaxing for your baby, but for you the mother, it is beneficial as well. Music serves several functions for the childbirth process including centering one’s awareness, distraction from pain, stimulating pleasure responses, focusing onthe breath, and as well it is a conditioned stimulus for relaxation.

If you think about it, whenever we go to our favorite cardio class, the instructor introduces a moderate level of music to get everyone’s body awake. As the pace begins to increase, we encourage ourselves to keep it going. Just at that moment when we begin to doubt our ability, an incredible song comes on that we love and a sudden jolt of energy and excitement flows and sustains us with energy beyond our peak. At the end of the class, a peaceful serene pace of music comes on to relax and ground us after our workout.

Of course labor is not the same as an hour long cardio class, but the principles of matching the types of music to the workout is rooted in the same school of thought of selecting music for your birth experience. Now when it comes to selecting one’s Labor Playlist, it is all based upon a mother’s individual preference. Sure, we all have some overlapping favorites and listen to the same top 40 hits. Atthe end of the day though, the music you select should be the sonic creations that make you want to sing at the top of your lungs with a smile and make you feel centered, grounded, and at peace. An Ipod and Ihome are perfect modern day gadgets to make this personalized playlist come to life. During your preparation period, categorize your selected music into 3 playlist folders based on the information below. Have your doula, partner, or support be in charge of monitoring to the playlist as you progress.

During Early Stages of Labor
In this stage of labor you will most likely want to relax and slowly blossom open while gaining your strength. Calm, peaceful, joyful, and serene music (however that fits your description) is ideal for this time.

Examples:
1. Classical Music
2. Nature Sounds
3. Artist who are accompanied by guitar or piano

During Active Labor and Transition
Music is proven to have a remarkable ability to raise endorphins within your system which can be a great tool during contractions. Those songs that make you feel powerful, warrioress like, are great for this stage of labor for it requires endurance and perseverance. Music can aide as your protective sustaining cocoon. Its supportive and grounding nature can prove wonders especially if you experience early labor at home and enter a hospital in active labor. Music will assist in creating a supportive and warm personal space in a hospital atmosphere. As you near transitioning, a time where you need emotional and spiritual support most, the sounds and music that grounds and empowers you most is ideal.

Examples:
1. Rhymic Tones
2. Drums
3. Music with Riffs and Melonic Pitches

After Birth
Soft gentle relaxing music is ideal for after the birth. It creates a soothing environment for mother & baby and allows them to recover into one another’s new found love and share that with their family and friends.

Examples:
1. Classical Music
2. Nature Sounds
3. No words

There are endless selections of songs you can choose from your exsiting CD collection, Itune downloads, or even friends’ music. As well there are several premade Childbirth soundtracks which can accentuate your playlist and contribute to your sonic memories.