Comments on not an only child: labor playlist ideas

I made two playlists - one was "relaxing" and the ...

2009-10-22T14:29:28.127-04:00

I made two playlists - one was "relaxing" and the other was "energizing." Both were instrumental only - lots of Bach, symphonies, etc.

One memory that comes to mind that may be of interest to you is that I included "Gabriel's Oboe" from the soundtrack to "The Mission." It's a lovely piece, but it is sometimes upsetting to me because the movie makes me sad (and the piece is just haunting for some reason - if you know it, you know what I mean). Anyway, when it came on while I was in labor, I started sobbing and thinking about my brother and needed it OFF right then. So, I am saying this to let you know that if there's any piece that you find wistful or that viscerally reminds you of your brother, you might not want to include it.

I've been thinking about this since Friday when yo...

2009-10-19T12:02:00.574-04:00

I've been thinking about this since Friday when you posted! I made 3 mix CDs (because unlike the rest of the developed world I do not have an ipod) which consisted entirely of songs that I loved. Most of them were mid-tempo (nothing too jarringly loud or fast or too slow, either) and it was a big variety. I included artists like downhere, Peter, Paul & Mary, Sting, Shawn Colvin, to name only a few. We did end up putting them all on our home computer in the itunes and had a 3 hour or so playlist. Timon put it on when we came back from the hospital after our first visit and it ended when our doula arrived around 11am. Between contractions I remember making note of what song was on. It was nice to have in the background.

zee avi, she&him, erykah badu, maybe a little meik...

2009-10-17T22:30:34.013-04:00

zee avi, she&him, erykah badu, maybe a little meiko....

the girly music helped me through!

Amy, I suggest instrumental only - listening to ly...

2009-10-17T17:50:36.360-04:00

Amy,
I suggest instrumental only - listening to lyrics may require more concentration that you have, since you will be directing your energy elsewhere!
ANYTHING by Mozart is restful, serene, ordered and calming. And you really should have the slow movements to the Haydn and Hummel trumpet concertos, which I know you have played beautifully.
Love you, Amy
- your first trumpet teacher

Enya. She got me through without screaming for d...

2009-10-17T15:06:15.292-04:00

Enya. She got me through without screaming for drugs....

Just a note: I am well aware that I may not want ...

2009-10-17T13:58:32.057-04:00

Just a note: I am well aware that I may not want music, especially late in labor. However, I want to have it ready on my ipod because for me, personally, the right music provides focus for me through pain and with all kinds of things. Everyone is different, and it does help many people. I will find out that day whether it helps me or not.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!

Miles Davis,"Sketches of Spain." But in all hones...

2009-10-17T12:52:26.047-04:00

Miles Davis,"Sketches of Spain."

But in all honesty, honey, music is probably going to be the last thing on your mind.

I mean, I definitely wasn't in an all-out panic when in labor, but your thoughts just kind of become instinctual, like "Must get this baby out!"

I had an entire day and night at home with contrac...

2009-10-17T09:27:43.728-04:00

I had an entire day and night at home with contractions before the hospital... I watched tv instead of listening to music. Then when we were in the hospital, I also watched bad middle of the night tv and early morning news. Later on, I just listened to the glorious sound of no pain after I got my epidural. Sorry I have no great suggestions! Besides, even if you plan a great playlist, you may decide you don't want to listen, or may forget it in the rush out the door, etc... :) You'll be great!

the soundtrack to the brothers bloom is really gre...

2009-10-16T20:15:08.322-04:00

the soundtrack to the brothers bloom is really great--especially penelope's theme. (i use it for writing.)