The Perineum Song & Other Music
There are a lot of cases to be made for not throwing things out, for a very sage reason: you never know when you’ll need them. This was proven to me once again last night, as I worked to compile a suitable collection of music for labor. I have never been through labor, so I don’t know what I’m going to feel like listening to; but I can guess. And, unfortunately for us all, what I truly believe is going to work best to help relax me and keep me focused is new age-y music, including albums with titles like “Lifescapes” and “Music for Yoga and Other Joys.” This is what I’m used to breathing and relaxing to in yoga, and it’s what I imagine when I try to picture the labor room.
Anyway, last night I finished uploading a few CDs my yoga teacher had burned for me and had culled my own paltry collection of new age music, which consisted—I thought—of one CD: “Calming Sea.” Onto the iPod it went. But when I searched my (extremely paltry) CD collection a bit more closely, I came across a 2-CD set from which I’d never removed the shrink wrap. It was something I’d gotten free somewhere at some point, something I’d picked up thinking, “Hey, you never know.” It included a guided meditation by Deepak Chopra, as well as a CD of music called “Chakra Balancing: Body, Mind, and Soul.” The guided meditation was obviously out, but I unwrapped the box and fired up the music.
It was perfect for my purposes. But when I studied the liner notes, I realized it was REALLY perfect: the first “chakra” was intended for close focus on the perineum. Anyone who is or has been pregnant understands the vital role the perineum plays in pregnancy and birth. Around our house, at least, it’s a frequent topic of conversation. So to find a song (?) specifically intended to bring relaxation to that area—well, what can I say? The case for not throwing anything away has, I think, been made.
The unfortunate element of all this is that while I may be thankful for hour upon hour of new age meanderings while I’m laboring, the truth is that I may also not even be aware of it—while Andrew is going to have to grit his teeth and try his best not to hurl my birth ball at our new “boombox.” He, too, was intrigued by the perineum song, but was more than happy to turn the CD off once it was over. I have a feeling we’ll both be very glad to put the new age stuff aside once little Whittemora arrives. “Congratulations!” the midwife will say, placing the baby on my chest, and Andrew will hold up a hand and say, “Just a sec. Let me turn off this music.” I will not blame him.
Anyway, last night I finished uploading a few CDs my yoga teacher had burned for me and had culled my own paltry collection of new age music, which consisted—I thought—of one CD: “Calming Sea.” Onto the iPod it went. But when I searched my (extremely paltry) CD collection a bit more closely, I came across a 2-CD set from which I’d never removed the shrink wrap. It was something I’d gotten free somewhere at some point, something I’d picked up thinking, “Hey, you never know.” It included a guided meditation by Deepak Chopra, as well as a CD of music called “Chakra Balancing: Body, Mind, and Soul.” The guided meditation was obviously out, but I unwrapped the box and fired up the music.
It was perfect for my purposes. But when I studied the liner notes, I realized it was REALLY perfect: the first “chakra” was intended for close focus on the perineum. Anyone who is or has been pregnant understands the vital role the perineum plays in pregnancy and birth. Around our house, at least, it’s a frequent topic of conversation. So to find a song (?) specifically intended to bring relaxation to that area—well, what can I say? The case for not throwing anything away has, I think, been made.
The unfortunate element of all this is that while I may be thankful for hour upon hour of new age meanderings while I’m laboring, the truth is that I may also not even be aware of it—while Andrew is going to have to grit his teeth and try his best not to hurl my birth ball at our new “boombox.” He, too, was intrigued by the perineum song, but was more than happy to turn the CD off once it was over. I have a feeling we’ll both be very glad to put the new age stuff aside once little Whittemora arrives. “Congratulations!” the midwife will say, placing the baby on my chest, and Andrew will hold up a hand and say, “Just a sec. Let me turn off this music.” I will not blame him.
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