10 Labour Music Playlist Ideas, Plus Tips for Birth
A useful labour music playlist starts with songs you already enjoy. Make one calm list and one upbeat list, save them for offline listening if your music service allows it, and give your support person permission to change the volume or turn it off. You do not need a perfect soundtrack to have a supported birth.
Updated October 2026
Below are ten song ideas, from gentle favourites to a few cheeky choices. Their place on the list is about mood and personal taste, rather than a claim that a particular song reduces pain or helps labour progress. Swap freely. A tune you love on a normal Tuesday might annoy you during a contraction.
Ten songs for a labour playlist
| Song | Artist | Why you might choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Come Away with Me | Norah Jones | A gentle starting point for a quieter playlist |
| Here Comes the Sun | The Beatles | A familiar, hopeful favourite |
| Better Be Home Soon | Crowded House | A softer singalong with an Australian connection |
| Kokomo | The Beach Boys | A sunny distraction if imagining a beach appeals |
| Under Pressure | Queen and David Bowie | For someone who prefers energy and a bit of humour |
| Better When I’m Dancin’ | Meghan Trainor | An upbeat addition to your second list |
| I’m Coming Out | Diana Ross | A celebratory choice if it makes you smile |
| Push It | Salt-N-Pepa | A cheeky option, only if you like the joke |
| Happy | Pharrell Williams | Bright and familiar for an energetic mood |
| Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World | Israel Kamakawiwoʻole | A gentle finish or a song for afterwards |
Preview the version you save. Live recordings, remixes and covers can sound very different, and an unexpected spoken introduction might interrupt a calm moment. Listen to the whole song, too. A title that sounds right for birth does not mean the lyrics feel right to you.
Make two playlists so you have a choice
A calm labour playlist
Start with quieter songs that feel familiar and comfortable. You might prefer piano, acoustic tracks, instrumental music or songs in your first language. There is no need to choose classical music if you never listen to it. Familiarity can matter more than matching somebody else’s idea of a relaxing song.
Listen for sudden changes in volume, loud openings and long gaps. Put a few favourites near the beginning so you can settle into the list without skipping repeatedly. If words become distracting, keep an instrumental option ready.
An upbeat birth playlist
Use songs that make you feel encouraged, amused or like yourself. Pop, soul, rock and old favourites all belong here if you enjoy them. This list is an option, not a schedule for particular stages of labour. You may want a lively song early on and silence later, or the other way around.
“Push It” is a song choice, not an instruction about when to push. Follow your midwife or doctor’s guidance. Ask your support person to keep jokes light and stop them if they are no longer welcome. There is nothing to achieve by tolerating a song that is getting on your nerves.
What music can do during labour
Raising Children Network says soothing music might help you relax as part of a calm birth environment. The Royal Women’s Hospital also notes that music can become unexpectedly annoying. Having an easy off switch is part of preparing well.
Music can sit alongside other comfort measures and medical pain relief. It does not need to replace either. Talk to your GP, midwife or maternity team before birth about your preferences and the options available at your hospital or birth centre. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s pain relief guide explains that preferences and needs can change during labour.
Set up the practical bits before your due date
- Ask your maternity service. Check whether music is allowed, what equipment is permitted and how to keep sound considerate in shared areas.
- Check offline access. Download your lists if your existing service supports it, then test playback without Wi-Fi. Download features can depend on the plan you use.
- Plan around adverts. Check how your current app behaves. Do not assume a free account has offline or ad-free listening, or that an old free-trial promotion still applies.
- Charge what you already own. Pack the right cable and a charger. You do not need to buy a new speaker if your phone and permitted equipment are enough.
- Show your support person. Let them practise opening the list, changing it, lowering the volume and stopping playback. Agree on a simple word or gesture for silence.
- Keep communication easy. Use a volume that lets you hear your care team. If using headphones, discuss them with your midwife and remove them whenever staff need your attention.
Add the cable and playlist reminder to your hospital bag checklist. Our guide to getting ready before baby arrives can help with the other small jobs that are easy to forget.
Leave room for a change of plan
Keep your favourite tracks easy to find, rather than building a complicated sequence that needs constant management. Repeating a small list is fine if that is what you want. So is never pressing play. Your support person can handle the phone while you focus on yourself and the care you need.
If an induction, caesarean birth or a change in your care plan is being discussed, ask the team what music arrangements are possible in that setting. Staff may need quiet or may have equipment rules. A playlist can be one preference among many, without becoming another thing you have to make happen.
For the weeks after birth, our first-year baby budget guide helps separate essentials from extras. Preparing can make life simpler, but you do not need to finish every list before meeting your baby.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best music for labour?
Music you enjoy and can comfortably listen to is a good starting point. There is no single best genre for everyone. Try a calm list and an upbeat list before birth, then choose either, or silence, on the day.
How long should my labour playlist be?
There is no required length. Begin with enough favourites that you are not constantly choosing the next track; one or two hours is a practical starting suggestion, not a medical rule. You can repeat a list or add more songs later.
Should songs for labour be calming or upbeat?
Either can suit you, and your preference may change. Keep both options easy to find. Avoid assigning songs to a particular labour stage, because you cannot know in advance what will feel comfortable then.
Can I use this as a labour and delivery playlist for hospital?
Use it as a starting list, then ask your maternity service about music and equipment. Download where permitted by your service, keep the volume low enough for conversation, and have your support person ready to stop it when needed.
