Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Playlist

So my goal is to go through labor drug-free. After much research and class-attending Sam and I have decided that this is what's best for us, and for Samaire. I have in my head how I most want her to enter the world - an even though I know I have little to know control over it all ... my plan is to give it my best shot.

And so, I'm putting together a playlist to listen to during labor. You know, motivational, inspiring songs. SO far it includes things like "Weight of the World" by Groovelily, "Brave" by Idina Menzel (can I please be her when I grow up? please?!), "Closer to Fine" by the Indigo Girls . . . to name a few. It's still very much in process, and I would love any suggestions you guys have as to good songs to include. The ones I have right now are obviously pretty diverse - so I'm not being too picky. And I'd love to hit a rough patch and hear a song one of you recommended.

It's the little things, you know. :)

So send lists! I'll post the final playlist once I have it.

I have one going for Samaire, when it gets close to her actually being here - this one's more for me. You know, in the hours and hours and hours that will come before then . . .

14 comments:

Jen said...

'Ain't That Love' - Ray Charles
'First Day of My Life' - Bright Eyes
'Light & Day/Reach for the Sun' - Polyphonic Spree
'Ave Maria' Yo-Yo Ma featuring Bobby McFerrin
'Peace Train' - Cat Stevens
'Power of the Gospel' Ben Harper
'Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da' The Beatles

So excited! So very, very excited for you! ((hugs))

Jen said...

P.S. If'n you like, I could make you a CD instead. :)

em said...

Well, I too had a playlist and then I went into labor and did want to be touched and just wanted silence...however two of the songs were....Arms Wide Open by Creed, this sang came out while I was prego with Maggie and it made me all warm and fuzzy, the other is At Last by Etta James! I had two kids with no drugs(not by choice...the drugs were not effective on me) You can do this, and it will be the most amazing experience of your entire life and I guarantee Sam will look at you with new found glory...only the way a brand new daddy can look! Savor the moment.

~m said...

Ha, I'd say yes to the CD - but alas, we might not have time! ;)

And be prepared for phone calls Jen - you're on my list of OHMYGODCALLSOMEONEWHOCANTELLMETHISWILLBEOKAY.

:)

Jen said...

Please do. Night or day - I mean it.

Brandi said...

Your question about songs got me thinking...I wonder how songs one normally likes sound during labor. Guess we'll both find out soon enough. Well, you definitely sooner than me. My spontaneous suggestions:

"Born at the right time" Paul Simon
"Sugar Magnolia" Grateful Dead
"American Girl" Tom Petty
"Gravity" John Mayer

I hope that the birth goes exactly the way you guys want it to.

Oy! How excitin'!

~m said...

I'm not sure about the whole sound thing - though I do know myself well enough to know that when I need to get over something, really concentrate or sort of get out of myself - music helps. And so the playlist.

I also have alternative ones - classical/no words/newagey ...

But I'm pretty sure the one I'm putting together now is it. It's just my own sort of meditation - always have been sine I started painting.

Of course, I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Anonymous said...

I had about 29 hours of induced labor with no drugs (not by choice, I just wasn't dilated far enough to get them) and what surprised me was that I did NOT want to be touched. I would let Matt touch my foot, SOMETIMES, but that was it. I didn't have an Ipod back then, but thinking back, I think it would have helped.

"For Good" from Wicked, has always reminded me of you, and so beautiful. "Defying Gravity", to , but a little more angst-y. :)

These are the Days by 10,000 Maniacs

Candle on the Water from Pete's Dragon (?)

Let it Be by the Beatles

Little Wonders by Rob Thomas from Meet the Robinsons

If anyone is strong enough to do this, it's you. Many good thoughts and blessings being sent your way from up north!

~m said...

Thanks, Celara! And funnily enough, Defying Gravity had already made it to the list. ;)

Now I have to go back and listen to For Good again ....

Skye said...

I love your playlist!

I did in fact do this same thing, making a tape or two of different music, but once I got started in labor I was in a different space than I'd ever been in and any rl sound was a distraction. I ended up relying on a focus point to contain my mind so I could do the real work in my head and concentrate on keeping my mind and body from shattering into a gibbering mess, kind of. There was very little of control and instead I worked to constantly accept the pain and what was going on, mentally and physically helping labor on. It was against everything I had ever done and my more conscious impulses but some part of me, deeper, knew just what to do. As will you, I have no doubt at all.

I used the music a lot, later, as a dancing playlist when the baby would wake at 3am and not go back to sleep. Singing and gliding about in the dark, I didn't resent the interruption so much.

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking about this, and I think I'd want some Cursive music close at hand. It's much harder than a lot of the stuff you have, and perhaps a little too angry, but it always seems to give me a feeling of focused purpose and energy -- maybe some Sierra (a favorite song of mine)? That's not as sad/angry as some of their other stuff. There is a great repetition in "The Ugly Organ" album of "The worst is over." That may be comforting...

Thinking of you guys! -- Amanda

Willa said...

I'm going to make you a CD, too, I think--most of the stuff I'll put on it is probably too obscure to get any other way. :) Or, wait, CD*s* -- At least two, maybe three.

~m said...

Yay! I still have a CD you made me of christmas music years ago I've since ripped and look forward to listening to every single year!

Anonymous said...

Two things:

The theme song from The Greatest American Hero.

"Believe it or not, its just me!"

Second, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr. You know why.