Push Through Labor Like a Boss With This Playlist from Spotify
Moms-to-be know — the busyness of parenting starts wayyyy before the baby is born. There’s staying fit during pregnancy, nailing maternity style and, of course, the babymoon. But now, you can cross making a birthing playlist off of your to-dos. After noticing that more than 90,000 Spotify users created their own “push playlist” to both relax and pump themselves up through labor, Spotify teamed up with renowned OB/GYN and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Jacques Moritz, to release a scientifically designed birthing playlist. Music loving moms-to-be, rejoice!
The playlist starts with songs that are slow and mellow, then transitions into songs with stronger beats for push time. Noticeably absent from the playlist is Salt N’ Pepa’s “Push It,” but the playlist does include songs from popular artists including John Legend, Pink and Arcade Fire.
In his more than 25 years as an OBGYN, Dr. Moritz has delivered over 3,000 babies, so he knows a thing or two about the labor process. Citing music’s strong influence over our limbic system, which manages how we deal with fear and pain, Dr. Moritz isn’t surprised that women turn to music as a source of comfort and strength during childbirth, and says 70 percent of his patients make a birthing playlist. “Hospitals, particularly delivery rooms, can be noisy and disconcerting,” he says. “A good playlist helps distract mothers from these sounds and better manage fear and pain, leading to a more positive delivery experience.” Amen.
Drawing on their expert experience, Spotify and Dr. Moritz worked together to curate the birthing playlist millennial moms have been dreaming of. The playlist has gained nearly 5,000 followers since its launch, and we’re guessing there will be more than a few little ones who enter the world to David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.”
Check out the full playlist here. For those who still want to create their own custom playlist, Dr. Moritz suggests five to 10 hours worth of songs that are comforting, familiar and feature strong instrumentals.
What song is a must-have for your birthing playlist? Tweet us @BritandCo.
(Photos via Getty)