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Music to Birth By
Songs Can Help You Relax, Focus and Possibly Even Ease Labor
By Kim Seidel
Angela Thomas says she experienced the "most beautiful delivery" of her baby daughter – and she credits that to music.
"I always had the greatest fears when I was pregnant about what to expect during delivery," says Thomas, who lives in Englewood, N.J. "I heard so many scary stories, but I have to say that I had the most beautiful delivery. I attribute that to the music that I listened to during labor and delivery."
With her iPod headset, she was plugged into ancient chant music when her water broke at 3 p.m. on a Friday and she delivered the following Saturday morning at 8:45. She mainly listened to "Kali Durge" by Gurumayi.
Although her 18 hours of labor was painful, she chanted with her music during the entire night. "It was more out of excitement of meeting my little girl," Thomas says. "It was one of the best experiences of my life, because of the chanting, the relaxing music and the breathing I did that comes along with the chanting."
While listening to the music, Thomas also visualized the baby working her way into the world. And then finally, for 15 minutes and six pushes, sweet little Maia Rose was born. "The music was the best and comforted me through the unknown," Thomas says. "It was a truly beautiful experience that I often reflect upon."
Research supports the beautiful birthing experience Thomas credits to music. A number of medical studies specifically support the use of music to ease the pain of labor. The peer-review journal, Birth, published an original study in 2000, which explored the impact of music on pain during the birthing process. The study concluded that the planned use of music by mothers and caregivers can assist in prenatal preparation and serve as an important tool in pain and stress management during labor and birth.
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