In answer to the many questions, I am due any time now. I don't know many cheerful songs because I am a morbid git and have always tended to prefer more depressing stuff. Much of which is too hard to sing under pressure. (Carrick Fergus, the gay green gown, Three ravens and things of that ilk.)

Experimentation with the bouts of contractions I've had indicates that singing does help - keeps my mind of things and obliges me to breath regularly. Shanties do sound like a good idea, and I love the birthing shanties that have turned up.

Thanks for all the suggestions, there are some good ones in there.

Apparently pethedine is good for singing - have a friend who had some for a non-baby related thing, and spent most of her time singing the Padstow May song at the top of her voice, to the bemusement of the medical staff around her!