Your baby’s birth day is one of the most powerful and emotional experiences you will ever have. As you prepare for labor, from prenatal appointments to packing your hospital bag, every detail matters.

One detail that can make a meaningful difference is your birth playlist. The right music can help you stay calm, focused, and connected to your body through every stage of labor.

Why a Birth Playlist Matters

Music can influence both your emotional and physical state during labor.¹ When you listen to relaxing music, your body releases dopamine, the hormone that reduces stress, which is exactly what you want during labor. Music also elicits a physical response, encouraging your body, including your heartbeat, to sync with the rhythm. This can be beneficial because your heart rate increases during contractions, and you want to help slow it back down. Listening to music can shift your perception of time and reduce stress while waiting for labor to progress. Studies even suggest that music can reduce pain and anxiety levels during the labor process.²

Birth Playlist Songs for Early and Active Labor

During early and active labor, calming music can help regulate your breathing and create a steady rhythm. These songs and sounds are perfect for grounding yourself and helping time pass with a sense of calm.

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Ambient and Instrumental Music

• “Relaxing 4-7 Hz Theta Waves” – Catalyst University
• “Sound Bath for Releasing Anxiety & Tension” – Healing Vibrations
• “Fantasia on a Theme By Thomas Tallis” – Ralph Vaughan Williams
• “Pavane, Op. 50” – Gabriel Fauré
• “Claire de Lune” – Claude Debussy
• “Moonlight Sonata” – Beethoven
• “Cello Suites” – Bach & Yo-Yo Ma
• “Symphony No. 6, ‘Pastoral'” – Beethoven
• “Piano Sonata No. 16” – Mozart
• “Nocturne” – Chopin
• “The English Patient: Main Title Theme” – Gabriel Yared
• “My Father’s Favorite” – Patrick Doyle
• “Fortuna” – Kaki King
• “Chariots of Fire” – Vangelis

Meditations and Long Songs

• “Hypnobirthing to help with labor” – Emma Kenny
• “Gayatri Mantra” – Deva Premal
• “Vespers, Op. 37” – Sergei Rachmaninoff
• “Ebudae” – Enya
• “Angeles” – Enya
• “Full Circle” – Loreena McKennitt
• “Cold Little Heart” – Michael Kiwanuka
• “Festival” – Sugar Rós

Vocal Songs

• “Nightswimming” – R.E.M.
• “Your Protector” – Fleet Foxes
• “Follow the Sun” – Xavier Rudd
• “Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley
• “Hold Me While You Wait” – Lewis Capaldi
• “Light” – Sleeping At Last
• “Golden Slumber” – The Beatles (sung by Jennifer Hudson)
• “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
• “Harvest Moon” – Neil Young
• “Blackbird” – The Beatles
• “Passenger Seat” – Death Cab for Cutie
• “Naked as I Came” – Iron & Wine
• “Stubborn Love” – The Lumineers
• “The Great Unknown” – Mighty Oaks
• “I Want More” – KALEO
• “Just Breathe” – Pearl Jam
• “River” – Leon Bridges
• “Such A Simple Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
• “Only Love” – Ben Howard
• “Here Right Now” – Joshua Radin
• “I Won’t Give Up” – Jason Mraz
• “Forever” – Ben Harper
• “Stay With You” – John Legend
• “Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
• “Is This Love” – Bob Marley & The Wailers
• “Stay” – Rihanna, Mikky Ekko
• “Trust In You” – Lauren Daigle
• “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele
• “Young and Beautiful” – Lana Del Ray
• “Best Part” – Daniel Caesar & H.E.R.
• “Heaven” – Julia Michaels
• “Sunrise” – Nora Jones
• “Nightflyer” – Allison Russell
• “Feels Like Home” – Edwina Hayes
• “When You Say Nothing At All” – Alison Krauss
• “My Silver Lining” – First Aid Kit
• “Just Breathe” – Willie Nelson & Lukas Nelson
• “Always and Forever” – Cory Morrow
• “I Am Light” – India.Arie
• “When I Look at You.” – Rosie Carney

Related: What To Do in Early Labor

Birth Playlist Songs for Pushing

When it is time to push, your energy and focus shift. Music can help you stay strong and present through each contraction. These upbeat tracks bring strong rhythms and powerful vibes, perfect for this final stage of giving birth.

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The ’90s and Beyond

• “Hand Clap” – Fitz and The Tantrums
• “One Foot” – WALK THE MOON
• “Feel It Still” – Portugal. The Man
• “Don’t Kill My Vibe” – Sigrid, Gryffin
• “Go Big or Go Home” – American Authors
• “I Will Wait” – Mumford & Sons
• “Starlight” – Muse
• “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” – David Lee Murphy, Kenny Chesney
• “Life Is a Highway” – Tom Cochrane
• “Sing” – Pentatonix
• “Helpless” – Ashanti, Ja Rule
• “Brave” – Sara Bareilles
• “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
• “Roundtable Rival” – Lindsey Sterling
• “Stronger” – Kelly Clarkson
• “Walk Me Home” – P!nk
• “Get the Party Started” – P!nk
• “Your Love Is My Drug” – Kesha
• “Roar” – Katy Perry
• “Run the World” – Beyoncé
• “Girl on Fire” – Alicia Keys
• “Survivor” – Destiny’s Child
• “Born This Way” – Lady Gaga
• “Good As Hell” – Lizzo
• “Worship” – Lizzo
• “I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas
• “Dynamite” – Taio Cruz
• “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
• “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” – Justin Timberlake
• “Beautiful Day” – U2
• “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars
• “Get Ready for This” – 2 Unlimited
• “Hot In Herre” – Nelly
• “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee
• “Lucy” – Destra

The ’80s and Earlier

• “I’m Coming Out” – Diana Ross
• “What I Like About You” – The Romantics
• “I’m a Believer” – The Monkees
• “9 to 5” – Dolly Parton
• “Do You Believe in Magic” – The Lovin’ Spoonful
• “Jump In The Line” – Harry Belafonte
• “Push It” – Salt-N-Pepa
• “Walking On Sunshine” – Katrina & The Waves
• “Start Me Up” – The Rolling Stones
• “Under Pressure” – Queen, David Bowie
• “Jump” – Van Halen
• “A Hard Day’s Night” – The Beatles
• “I’m Still Standing” – Elton John
• “Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins
• “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey
• “Dancing In the Dark” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
• “Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses
• “Celebration” – Kool & The Gang

Related: Positions and Tips on Pushing During Childbirth

Special Playlist for Moms Expecting a Baby Girl

If you are expecting a daughter, these songs can help you connect with her in a meaningful way. These sweet and sentimental tracks are a beautiful way to connect with your baby girl as you welcome her into the world.

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Songs About Daughters

These heartfelt songs were written by artists reflecting on their own daughters or inspired by the emotional connection between parent and child. They’re meaningful additions to any birth playlist for welcoming a daughter.

• “A Letter to My Daughter” – Kerri Brown*
• “Lady” – Brett Young*
• “A Mother’s Prayer” – Celine Dion*
• “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
• “In My Daughter’s Eyes” – Martina McBride
• “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
• “Daughters” – John Mayer
• “The Most Beautiful Girl” – Charlie Rich
• “The Best Day” – Taylor Swift
• “Dance with My Daughter” – Jason Blaine
• “Daddy’s Little Girl” – Michael Bublé
• “Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
• “For My Daughter” – Kane Brown
• “My Girl” – The Temptations
• “Never Grow Up” – Taylor Swift
• “Capri” – Colbie Caillat

Peaceful Songs for You and Your Baby Girl

If you’re looking for loving music to take you to a peaceful place, these songs will do the trick. They’re perfect for your birthing playlist for welcoming your new daughter.

• “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole (I love this father and daughter duet)
• “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong (Kina Grannis and Imaginary Future Cover)*
• “Stand By Me” – Kina Grannis and Imaginary Future Cover*
• “Beyond the Sea” – Kina Grannis*
• “At Last” – Etta James (Kina Grannis Cover)*
• “Iris” – Goo Goo Dolls (Kina Grannis Cover)*
• “Yellow” – Coldplay (Kina Grannis Cover)*
• “You Are My Sunshine” – Kina Grannis*
• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Kina Grannis*
• “Dream a Little Dream of Me” – Kina Grannis*
• “By Your Side” – Sade*
• “Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole*
• “Slow Down” – Nichole Nordeman*
• “Cecie’s Lullaby” – Steffany Gretzinger
• “Feels Like Home” – Chantal Kreviazuk*
• “Here” – Kari Jobe
• “Sparks” – Coldplay
• “Let It Go” – James Bay
• “Chasing Cars” – Sleeping at Last*
• “I Get to Love You” – Ruelle
• “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles (Christina Perri Cover)
• “It Is Well” – Bethel Music

Powerful Songs to Help You Push Through

Labor can be challenging. It will push you. And sometimes, you might feel like you will break. These songs playing in the background can be a helpful reminder of how strong you are.

• “Run the World (Girls)” – Beyoncé
• “You Say” – Lauren Daigle
• “Rise Up” – Andra Day
• “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” – Bryan Adams
• “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele
• “The Story” – Brandi Carlile
• “Rescue” – Lauren Daigle
• “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – Hillsong
• “Mother” – Kacey Musgraves

As you build your birth playlist, choose songs that reflect the energy and support you want in your birthing space. Include your expectations for music in your birth plan and talk with your partner or birth team about when to play music and how it can support you during labor.

Make sure your playlist is ready to go, and once your baby arrives, keep the music going as you celebrate together.