The other day I was driving around town and “Country Roads” by John Denver came on the radio. I immediately thought of a birth I was lucky enough to support last winter. Mom was in the tub, working hard to bring her baby earthside. Dad was sitting next to the tub, pouring water over her belly. I sat by the door. We had the lights off and music low. When “Country Roads” came on, one of us started to sing along, quietly. I don’t even remember who. But eventually it was all three of us, whisper singing: “almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River…”. Now, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, when I hear that song I think of that family, that birthday, and that baby.
Listening to this song made me think of all the songs that will be forever linked to specific babies and their birthdays. So today I sat down and started a playlist to commemorate these songs. I remembered the baby girl who was turned during an External Cephalic Version to “Something” (in the way she moves), by the Beatles. I supported with one sweet couple who labored to the music of the Piano Guys for hours. I once worked with such a strong mama who pushed her baby out to Beyonce’s Lemonade album. The nurses and midwives and I all loved it! (Her baby was eventually born to “6 Inch Heels”).
I am so excited to continue growing this playlist and adding to it as I attend more births and support more families. Music can be such a beautiful tool to use in the delivery room and can be a great way to help the laboring person to stay calm and relaxed. I feel so lucky to be invited in with the families, to witness the birth of their babies, and to hear the music that keeps them going through the labor that is childbirth.
If you want to follow along as I grow my practice and my playlist, you can check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3An72i9lKZhRZUvpJmg4NX
