Music streaming service Spotify released a “birthing playlist” on Thursday, which features songs in an order that is “scientifically-designed” to help alleviate the anxiety of women who are in labor.
The app compiled the playlist with Jacques Moritz, New York City-based gynecologist and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical College, who claims 70% of his patients make one for the big day.
“Hospitals, particularly delivery rooms, can be noisy and disconcerting,” Moritz said in a statement, “a good playlist helps distract mothers from these sounds and better manage fear and pain.”
Some of the song titles are rather appropriate, like “Under Pressure” (David Bowie and Queen), “Just Breathe” (Pearl Jam), and “Naked As We Came” (Iron & Wine). Here’s the track list:
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- Pearl Jam – Just Breathe
- James Bay – Let It Go
- Regina Spektor – Don’t Leave Me
- Sigur Rós – Festival
- Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism
- The Lumineers – Ho Hey
- Norah Jones – Sunrise
- Craft Spells – After the Moment
- Xavier Rudd – Follow the Sun
- Lucinda Williams – Fruits of My Labor
- John Lennon – Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
- Colbie Caillat – Capri
- D’Angelo – Really Love
- Milton Nascimento – Nos Bailes Da Vida
- Coldplay – Don’t Panic
- Fleet Foxes – Your Protector
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
- Kygo (feat. Maty Noyes) – Stay
- P!nk – Try
- Muse – Starlight
- John Legend – All of Me – Tiesto’s Birthday Remix
- David Bowie, Queen – Under Pressure
- U2 – With or Without You
- Wilco – Impossible Germany
- Arcade Fire – Wake Up
- R.E.M. – Nightswimming
- Patty Griffin – Heavenly Day
- Iron & Wine – Naked As We Came
- Beyoncé – Blue
- Johann Sebastian Bach, Yo-Yo Ma – Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1
Pregnant women who want to create their own playlists pick at least 5-10 hours worth of favorite songs — especially ones with “strong instrumentals,” he says. In terms of order, he advises putting the “slow and mellow” ones at the beginning, so the high-tempo ones can play when it’s time to push.
And whatever you do, don’t use any of the “Discover Weekly” songs: “The delivery room is not the place to experiment with a new musician or genre,” the news release says.
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