Playlist for childbirth

Well. Happy 2011, everyone. 2011 is also known around these parts as The Year of the Baby. And also, January is known as the Month of the Baby. (Unless he is so late that I have to be induced, which could theoretically happen as late as February 1. And while I would like to avoid being induced if at all possible, at least if he comes in February his birthstone will be an amethyst, am I right?)

Anyway! It's my Due Month, and in fact my due date is just over two weeks away, and that means that at some point in the next few weeks, there will be, you know, a baby here in our house. But before he can come to our house in his car seat, he'll have to get out of my uterus. As in, I have to, you know, give birth.

I actually feel somewhat prepared for this. We did a Bradley class, which was immensely helpful for both of us. I am hoping to have a natural, unmedicated birth, but am also keeping in mind that a lot of what will happen during the birth is well beyond anyone's control, and that the important thing is to adapt to the situation and make the best possible decisions for our individual circumstances. Assuming there are no unexpected complications, there will be a birthing tub involved. Torsten and the midwife (and the nurses) will be the only other people there. I know I'm probably insane, and I understand that this will be one of the most intense and challenging experiences of my life, but I am actually excited about giving birth. Like, I'm looking forward not just to finally meeting Piglet (though that too, believe me), but to the actual process of labor. Really, I am.

We've written a birth plan and shared it with our midwives, who are totally on board with it and say that it is quite feasible and attainable. We've packed the hospital bag. The nursery is done (and photos are forthcoming! I promise). So now we're on to the small details. Like the music. And that's where you come in.

I do not have particularly sophisticated or in-depth musical taste, even just for, you know, listening in the car. We do have a subscription to Rhapsody, and that is usable in the hospital, which means that we will have access to almost any music you can think of, giving us lots of flexibility in case I take violently against something and demand to hear something else that I have never listened to before in my life. I also know that perhaps I will hate the music and insist that it be shut off entirely.

But assuming that I don't hate the music, I have no idea what kind of music I will actually want to hear. I want to put together a playlist, or maybe multiple playlists? Like a more energetic one and a more soothing one? I don't even know. Having never given birth, I have no idea what kind of music is best suited to labor.

Of course, I assume that the answer to that question is that it depends very much on the individual, but I still want to benefit from your collective knowledge. So tell me, what did you want during labor, music- and atmosphere-wise? Did you want music at all? What kind? Any specific artists or songs? Was there anything you just couldn't stand? If you put together a playlist in advance, did it end up being what you wanted to hear in the middle of it all? Should we bother making a playlist, or more than one? And if so, what should we put on it (them)?