Labor often begins or rapidly intensifies in the middle of the night. This is because an essential chemical for early labor is melatonin [1]. The dark calm of the night is the ideal birth environment, the perfect setting to bring a baby into the world. Given the chance to progress through labor uninterrupted, a woman will continue to crave a calm, den-like setting. But if labor is disrupted by some kind of stress, labor may actually slow until the woman is in a safe, calm space again [2].

That’s why the ideal environment for labor is a dim room, free of harsh blue lights [3]. Quiet, calm music or silence should fill the space. Some research indicates that some kinds of music can decrease anxiety during labor, while other research finds there is no difference compared to silence [4]. Notably, research does not find that calm music increases anxiety, pain perception, or length of labor, so playing your favorite calming playlist is worth trying if you enjoy music! Other women might prefer the repetition of prayers, counting, or mantras while laboring.