The musical effect

I have found that whenever I listen to two particular albums I am suddenly in Doula-land. Hence me writing this blog... The album was put on and... So now when I feel I need inspiration I listen to Joanna Newsome or Catpower as they have become my 'guides'. Probably because they are two powerful, creative, feminine women I admire. Or maybe because I happened to purchase their latest albums at the same time as starting my Doula training. Either way, it's working for me!

Few are aware of the fact that my first son was brought into the world to Dire Straights 'Sultans of Swing'. Hospital staff apparently enjoy their radio background music as much as the next office employee. Those who know me will be aware that this would not have been to my liking but I was flat on my back in the operating theatre and it is something I will never forget.

Music is a powerful medium and one which most pregnant mothers (or parents) plan to get just right for the birth of their children. You often hear the birth stories where the CD played never made it because it all happened too fast or it was simply forgotten but it's nice to plan it otherwise. For my second birth we gathered appropriate CDs (which isn't hard for us as everything we listen to comes close to sending you into a coma) and had the player ready to come to the birth centre with us. I had been listening to the same album for so my the time I was in late first stage labour that my husband attempted to change the music. I asked him to leave it alone. Nicely too I'm sure. The CD player did make it to the birth centre, as I have an ex-musician husband who makes music a priority, and the same album returned to super high rotation. It became part of the cosy place I needed to be in to deliver my child. Music, or even sounds, that put you at ease are as powerful as visualisation or the smell in the air or aromatherapy in birth. I don't think it is essential for birth but if it is something that makes you feel safe and at ease then it may make all the difference in having your baby comfortably wherever you are.

My son eventually arrived to Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon'. Eighteen months later I haven't listened to it since.