aromatherapy oil in labour

[cryingatthediscoteque]

At the risk of sounding a bit naive and like a tree hugger, I thought I might sniff some nice aromatherapy oils during labour!! Can anyone recommend which ones?

Also, which ones are meant to bring labour on in the first place?

Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to bring on labour I think. In labour I had aromatherapy and it was provided by the hospital, so you might check that out, unless you are planning a home birth. I think I had lavender. Seem to remember clary sage is recommended but I didn't like the smell. Had to laugh when I saw my notes afterwards and it listed "aromatherapy" as analgesia; you might as well describe the music you choose for the background as pain relief. Anything that makes you feel less tense and scared is a good thing in labour but for drug-free pain control I prefer TENS.

Hi

Clary Sage can bring on contractions - but it is NOT recommended to be used in that way, as they can be very strong. I have some in my hospital bag which I may use in established labour/3rd stage. But it has a very potent, intoxicating effect and smells a bit like marijuana so I may equally well not.

In my first labour, I sniffed lavendar, and then jasmine oils, partly as a prop and to override the hospital-ness of it all. Lavendar is meant to have calming properties. I think I remember Jasmine was meant to be fortifying, mood- enhancing......

There are some practicing aromatherapists who post on the site, hang around and they may have some more comprehensive answers.

Hiya,
Just seem this thread, and want to let you know I am an aromatherapist, so if you want more information, please CAT me or email me on
jopowell1 at yahoo dot co dot uk

The reason I can't say on here is purly because I do not know your individual background or health etc.