[amazing_love]

I'm considering getting a relaxation CD to help get through labor but i'm not sure how effective it would actually be. I want to do everything i can to try to get through labor naturally, but i also don't want to waste my money buying it if i'm not going to use it, KWIM?

Does anyone have any opinions? How helpful was music for you during labor?

[*krista*]

I have no experience to share, but I did get hypnobabies... similar concept except a little more involved I believe (haven't started it yet).

Right now I'm reading Ina May Gaskins Guide to Childbirth. If you don't know who Ina May Gaskin is, she is one of the most highly respected midwives in the states. The book is very interesting so far, and I just got done reading the part about the mind-body connection. According to her, your mental state has a huge impact on your labor and its progress... so yeah, I bet anything that will calm you would help if you take it seriously.

Oh and I recommend that book if you haven't read it already. Although it doesn't paint hospitals in a very pleasant light, I have found it to be a pretty incredible read so far. It has definitely helped boost my confidence and is all about techniques to help get you through natural childbirth.

[amazing_love]

It's funny you mentioned that book because i just checked it out from the library! It's just sitting in my living room waiting for me. lol. Hopefully i'll get around to reading it before going into labor!!

[szczepanski]

I spent a long time making a playlist for labor on my ipod for me to listen to. I planned on listening to it while I was in the whirlpool tub and going through contractions.

I ended up not even touching it because things went so fast. I just put music on it that I enjoy listening to and would relax me.

[soImarriedAnerd]

If you ask Shannon-coconut or Nikki they have the kit for HB thats been getting passed around....they may share

I had music or my HB stuff playing for the ENTIRE time! Josh Groban was my music of choice, I listened to it so much while preggo and then during labor------London actually gets calm when he hears it now!

[*Anna*]

I am such a fan of HB... it worked soooo great for us. I listened to the tracks my whole labor and through delivery.... soooooo relaxing. And I suggest reading Ina May's book. Great stories there!!!!

[Chelnae6]

I'm of no help as I'm free styling this birth lol

[Frozendesire]

Well the radio was on, haha

It was nothing I picked out and I could only hear it when I was in the room, I was mostly in the shower... just on the bed for checks.

I remember Dustin being born to Michael Jackson though... either black or white, or Billie Jean HAHA

[~*Bethy*~]

I have a few tracks from HB but Im also very used to falling asleep to new agey kinda music (Medicine woman, Desert Vision, Enigma, Enya, etc...) I love meditating to music with incense and candle light, so thats my plan for my birth. Just do what your comfortable with. choose the music that makes you feel relaxed. I know that Shannon (MVT) gave me a few HB tracks, and Id be happy to share them with you (I dont plan on going through the course, since I know how to meditate with music and aromatherapy and have done so with my first labor before I stalled...) If you need any idea's for music, dont be afraid to hit me up!! I can get something going for you that you'd like I have tons of tracks that I dont mind sending

[LisanAndy]

I've never done this. My first birth I had an epidural and it wasn't needed. My 2nd birth I had an epi that didn't work for 1 min and delivered her feeling everything. I wasn't prepared for it to happen that way I so just made it through it. This time I'd like to have music because I'm planning a natural delivery this time but how bad is it that I want Three Days Grace and music that will hype me up?! LoL! I dunno... I don't have any relaxation music, maybe I should just skip it? LoL.

[CandaceDianne]

Originally Posted by ~ChelNae6~

I'm of no help as I'm free styling this birth lol

me too! People ask if I am taking lamaze or any classes and I say 'No, Im just going to wing it!'.

[Mars]

I never had any but a lot of persons seem to like the misic from hypnobabies.

[**jessie**]

I did a lot of my laboring (before my epidural) in the whirlpool tub at the hospital. They had a relaxation CD on while I was in there, but I'm not sure which one it was. They also provided a big stack of relaxation CD's of different styles in the birthing suite along with a CD player. Maybe you should check with your hospital first to see if that is something they provide?

Honestly, it didn't do much for me. I didn't use them at all in the birthing suite, and I didn't really notice it was on while I was in the tub.

[bittersweet]

Originally Posted by CandaceDianne

me too! People ask if I am taking lamaze or any classes and I say 'No, Im just going to wing it!'.

You guys will be fine! I signed up for a birth class twice and it kept getting cancelled d/t snow. So I went in as is. Everything happened really fast and the nurses walked me through everything. I did great and am glad i didnt waste time and money on other things.

[LisanAndy]

Yeah I've never had birth classes. I'm just 'winging it' this time too Women were made to do this and I just go with the flow and let my body do it's thing LoL.