When labor begins, every sound holds significant weight—the rhythmic cadence of breathing, the beeping of monitors, and the gentle hum of anticipation. Then, between contractions, a cherished song begins to resonate in the space. This could be “Here Comes the Sun,” “Perfect,” or “Fix You.” For many parents, that moment evolves beyond mere background ambiance; it becomes an integral part of their birthing story.
They are certainly not alone in utilizing music within the delivery suite. A recent study by the car seat and stroller manufacturer iCandy identified 1,800 birth playlists on Spotify, illuminating the songs that parents often select to welcome their newborns. Leading artists? Coldplay, The Beatles, and Ed Sheeran, with “Here Comes the Sun” appearing on over 100 playlists.
Beyond individual music choices, these insights reveal a deeper understanding: how sound, rhythm, and emotion anchor parents during one of life’s most profound shifts. Even after birth, those melodies may influence developing minds; studies suggest that infants recall melodies heard in utero, responding to them with feelings of calm and familiarity.
Related: I grew up in a home filled with music, and I aspire the same for my children.
What parents choose to play—and the significance behind those selections
Birth playlists are rarely random compilations. They frequently include songs that evoke significant memories: the tune played at a wedding, a lullaby once sung by a caregiver, or a song that has brought comfort in trying times. “Here Comes the Sun” appears on over 100 playlists, likely due to its ability to embody the emotions many parents wish to feel during that moment: warmth, renewal, and new beginnings.
Coldplay’s “Fix You” and “Yellow,” as well as Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” also commonly appear on these curated lists. These tracks carry emotional significance: they lower the heart rate, create a calming atmosphere, and serve as reminders of the love that has brought them to this experience.
Music during labor offers both emotional and physiological benefits. The right sounds can help parents discover tranquility amid contractions, center themselves in moments of uncertainty, and foster a sense of security in an unpredictable environment.
The science of sound: The role of music in labor
Research consistently demonstrates that music does more than uplift the mood—it can also support the body during childbirth.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry suggests that soothing music during labor can reduce maternal anxiety and heart rate while helping to regulate breathing patterns. Another study featured in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that music-assisted childbirth techniques can shorten labor duration and lessen the need for pain relief.
How music nourishes your baby’s developing brain
While music comforts parents, it may also profoundly affect infants.
Research indicates that babies can recognize melodies they were exposed to in utero, demonstrating measurable brain responses when these songs are played postnatally. Further research in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity – Health suggests that early musical exposure strengthens the neural connections related to auditory learning and memory.
The takeaway: familiar melodies can comfort newborns as they evoke memories of the sensory environment they’ve known—parents’ voices, the rhythm of a heartbeat, and now, the songs that accompanied their entry into the world.
Related: 10 ways music can enhance your child’s development
How music transforms into memory
Long after the machines fall silent, music remains. Many parents associate “their song” with the moment their child was born. It becomes a sensory bookmark, capable of transporting them back to the emotion and awe experienced that day with just a few introductory notes.
A lullaby sung during those early skin-to-skin moments. A favorite wedding song reverberating in a peaceful hospital environment. A meticulously crafted playlist intended to induce calm that eventually becomes the soundtrack of a family’s beginnings. These songs are woven into the narrative of birth and ultimately turn into a pivotal part of parenting: car rides, bedtime routines, kitchen dance-offs.
How to curate a birth playlist that resonates
If you’re considering creating a playlist for labor, start early and trust your instincts. There is no right genre or rhythm; the goal is emotional connection over perfection.
Consider the following:
- Choose tracks that hold meaning. Include songs tied to special memories or feelings—wedding tunes, lullabies, or melodies that invoke thoughts of your partner or family.
- Mix the tempos. Incorporate calming music for early labor and spirited anthems for more intense phases.
- Extend the experience beyond delivery. Play your playlist during pregnancy; babies begin recognizing sounds around 25 weeks. Those cherished songs may bring comfort once they are born.
- Stay adaptable. Labor can be unpredictable; allow your playlist to be a source of comfort, rather than a fixed plan.
Collaborating with your partner to include tracks that reflect both of your tastes can also help create a shared emotional landscape for the day you welcome your child.
The first sounds they encounter
Music embodies memory, emotion, and biology all at once. The melodies that fill the delivery room create the soundtrack for one of life’s most sacred moments—shaping not only how parents feel but also how babies perceive their first experiences in the world.
And long after the event has passed, those melodies persist: echoes of strength, surrender, and love. Though the first sounds our babies hear may fade, the emotions they inspire endure for a lifetime.
Sources:
- Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2024. “Effect of music therapy on anxiety in full-term pregnant women”
- The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023. “The Effects of Music-Based Interventions for Pain and Anxiety Management during Vaginal Labour and Caesarean Delivery: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Randomised Controlled Trials”
- The Guardian. 2013. “Babies remember melodies heard in womb, study suggests | Reproduction”
- Brain, Behavior, and Immunity – Health. 2023. “The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease“
