Spotify Releases ‘Birthing Playlist’ With Songs to Help Women in Labor

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.