Birth Playlist 2024
When I first started researching birth playlists, everything was one big joke. I was 20 weeks in and childbirth seemed like a lifetime away. Baby by Justin Bieber? It was the first track I added. ‘The drugs don’t work’ by the Verve? I thought I was hilarious. Unsurprisingly, when that blasted into the delivery suite after my epidural failed, I could have crushed my phone with my bare hands.
There is some science to the birth playlist. Oxytocin is a type of hormone in your body which gives you positive feelings. During labour, it stimulates contractions to get the baby down, out and without complications. When I was on an open ward with seven or eight other expectant mums in the early but painful stages of childbirth, it really helped distract me and keep my mind in a happy place. All in all, you want to keep the good vibes going for as long as possible during labour – and music is a great way to do that.
However, in the same way everyone has their own ‘workout’ music or yoga playlist, you need music which matches the tone of the occasion. For my second birth I was much more picky about the type of music I wanted and chose songs which matched the overwhelmed, fragile state I knew I would be in. And unsurprisingly it went much better. Here’s my Top 10 birth playlist for 2024.
Everlong – Foo Fighters
Not only are the lyrics to this so touching, it takes me back to a younger time when I would drink wine from a box and wake up in a field to watch the Foos perform this live. Any song which conjures up that gooey nostalgic feeling is a must.
Someone you loved – Lewis Capaldi
Probably the most beautiful song of the decade. Lewis is really fragile in this song – which gives a birthing woman a lot to relate to.
Hold back the river – James Bay
There’s something so simple about his guitar in this song that makes this song so gentle and comforting. Plus it played at the airport a lot the last time I went on holiday.
Wake me up (acoustic) – Aloe Blacc
‘Feeling my way through the darkness, Guided by a beating heart.’ If anything describes that feeling of anticipation before you meet your special person after nine months, this is it.
Stand by me – Ben E. King
Not only is this song so comforting its like chicken soup for the ears, it’s from the ultimate film of childhood innocence and adventure. Who’s not excited to think what their little one will get up to hearing this?
The Sound of Silence – Disturbed
Remember how I said I needed a distraction during labour? The way this version of the song crescendos almost acted like its own Tens machine.
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
A song so comforting it’s practically a lullaby. Even Shrek agrees.
Hold my girl – George Ezra
Can you guess which gender I was expecting?
Running up that hill – Kate Bush
Frustratingly, there’s much more male than female vocalists on my playlist. However Kate Bush’s gentle vocals on a song about endurance are exactly what’s needed in the ultimate act of female empowerment.
Memories – Maroon 5
When you’re readying yourself to be a parent, you can’t help but look back to your own childhood. This is the ultimate soundtrack to that. A must for your birth playlist 2024.
Preparing for childbirth? Here’s everything you need for your labour hospital bag.
