Saturday, February 21, 2009

My new toy

I got a birth ball, baby! I think my husband was even more excited than I was to blow it up last night and try it out. He's a runner and general fitness-lover, so he was trying out push-ups and sit-ups and various moves on it. Then he laughed at me while I bounced on it, smiling from ear to ear like a little kid. :-)

In other good news, we also bought most of the supplies for the birth last night! You can see some of them piled in the background of the picture... lots of plastic drop cloths and shower curtains to protect the floor and furniture, loads of cheap towels and wash cloths, diapers, batteries for the camera, nursing pads, etc. I feel so much less anxiety now that we're stocked with what we need! Yay!

And, speaking of getting prepared, I'd love your help creating my "birthing playlist." I'm looking for soothing and inspiring music. So far I have a lot of Enya and Sarah McLachlan on my list. Any ideas??

10 comments:

Liz Johnson said...

I've heard a lot of people that have said they like the soundtracks to "Pride & Prejudice," "Atonement," and "Gladiator" for birth music. I like some of the piano music by Paul Cardall (he has a bazillion albums, but you can hear samples or download at amazon.com).

Cassie said...

Coldplay?

I also just ordered THIS:

http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Surf-Timeless-Dan-Gibson/dp/B000001CZF/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4

(you know how ocean waves are like contractions?)

and THIS

http://www.amazon.com/Birthnotes-Music-During-Childbirth-Phillips/dp/B001FBSI8E/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5

I can bring them, if you'd like

missy. said...

i loooove my exercise ball. during my first pregnancy, i literally spent the entire third trimester sitting or leaning on the ball; it was so much more comfortable than any other position.

i also love nature cd's (i have one with the ocean, one with birds, etc.) and "iron and wine" is one of the most soothing bands around--have you ever listened to their music? LOVE them!

Holly Steffen said...

i'm having the exact opposite song problem. i need motivational/inspiring more upbeat songs... so far i have 2.

It's not so much fun buying them for 99 cents a pop on itunes.

Lani said...

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies! I'll definitely be checking them out.

Cassie- I'd love for you to bring them! :-)

Holly- I'll look through our iTunes and see if I can find any that fit what you're looking for. :-) (I just clicked over to your blog, too.) I can't wait to hear about your VBAC!!

Fig said...

So, probably no Eminem? Dang it.

I really like tribal music for stuff like this - not that I've ever really done anything QUITE like birth, but for uplifting/inspirational music, if you can get a CD of traditional American Indian music with kind of a modern twist, you might like that. Look around little Indian gift stores and stuff.

Holly Steffen said...

oh, i wanted to tell you. my doula assisted in a vba2c today!! =]

Lani said...

VBA2C!!! Woohoo!!! I love it!!

Brooke said...

I would definitely suggest Todd McCabe & April Moriarty (instrumental only). One plays the piano and one plays the violin... church music! I LOVE their CD's... I have 3 of them: Bethlehem (Christmas stuff), Calvary and Galilee. LOVE that music... so relaxing, uplifting and inspiring. Many times I have been encouraged and/or uplifted by listening to their music. :o) Love you!

emily said...

i was introduced to steven halpern through my hypnobirthing classes. he does a bunch of "new age" healing music. i like his "ocean suite" cd. i wasn't listening to new age-y music before, but it's good for birth and for keeping all your support people in the right mellow mode.

after your birth it's good for general relaxation when you're under duress (i played it for my daughter when she had to have surgery as an infant, and for myself sometimes just because i'm experiencing the three kids on a normal afternoon). haven't listened to it in a while--i'll have to dig it out again!