There are many distractions that can drive you crazy during your labor, whether at home or in a hospital or birthing center-especially the hospital:  beeping monitors strapped to you, other people making their own noise, let alone other mothers that may be going through labor (that haven’t prepared so well as you) that are having a hard time.  It’s just more to add to your list of things detracting from you trying to relax.

One thing, beyond the proper mindset you’ve gained already, that is an excellent help is music.  Relaxing music has tremendous benefits that help the proper pathway of physiology for an effective natural birth.  It slows our racing heart, lowers our blood pressure, and the BEST part-it decreases our levels of stress hormones, the very things we DON’T want to have because it leads to more interventions.

So I’ve put together a few things, plus the best relaxation music for your labor that will easily help you ease any tension.

Best Relaxation Music For Labor

Hopefully when you packed your bag, you included your choice of tech that will play your music:

• Ipod/MP3 player (my preference because it’s small)
• smart phone
• laptop/tablet

But did you remember your headphones?  Yes, you can open your device and play it into the room, but then you’re more likely to hear all of the other noises just as much.  When I am listening to music, I ALWAYS wear headphones because I can turn the music up and be able to drown out the rest of what’s going on.  Noise-cancelling headphones can be even better; I know they’re bulkier, but it’s up to you.

You can create a playlist beforehand with your favorites.  Or you can simply go to a free station somewhere.  But both have ups and downs:

So whatever you prefer is fine.  You just have to pick and choose what you’ve have to deal with.

Actual Playlists

Not everyone will like everything.  But here are some ideas that you can start with:
℘  Classical - These can be instrumental, piano, choral; it just depends on what composers you like.  I personally love Bach and Mozart.  Here’s the Ultimate Bach album or the Ultimate Mozartalbum.

℘  Enya - She is the ONLY artist that I listened to when I was in labor with my second boy.  Some of her songs are with a faster beat, but many are slower and excellent as well.  All of her top pieces are on The Very Best Of Enya.

℘  Helen Jane Long - This lady is becoming my new favorite discovery.  She’s mostly piano, but creates wonderful sound to new melodies and others you are familiar with too.  Her Intervention album is great.

℘  Pandora’s ‘Relaxation’ Station - Has  a variety of artists like The Piano Guys, Yiruma and Phillip Wesley. 

℘  Jango’s ‘Relaxing Piano’ Station - Artists may be Erik Satie, Daniel Kobialka and Chad Lawson, to name a few.  *Jango only has one ad per day, another plus*.  

℘  Cristofori’s Dream by David Lanz - This song is six minutes long all on its own.  Sure to last you for a few contractions.  Here is Cristofori’s Dream.

℘  Spa Music - You know when you’re getting your facial and you could just fall asleep to what they have playing?  Well there are TONS of albums you can peruse in this genre.  Start with this Island Spa album.

℘  Jim Brickman - He is all piano, and can be upbeat and dramatic.  But his music seems to tell a story that you can imagine while you relax.  His album is Jim Brickman - Greatest Hits.

That’s just a sampling of what you can find, but it’s an exceptional start especially if you’ve never even had this type of music before.  Just one of these options can get you through an entire labor, easily.  It just depends on your own personal preference.  And you may not want to listen to music; I didn’t at least half of the time, mainly because I was walking.  But you don’t want to be without it because it can make an ASTOUNDING difference for you.  

Get Relaxing Hypnobirthing Soundtracks In This Kit

What types of music or instrumentals help you relax?  Something you enjoy can certainly help someone else that may not prefer what I’ve suggested here.  Drop a comment and let us know.  

Happy listening!