Essential oils and aromatherapy during labour (and afterwards)

[LeeMiller]

I was thinking about picking up some essential oils to use during birth and post-partum - I already use lavender for sleep/relaxation, but was considering a broader selection for use in labour (diffuser/on a flannel/in a massage oil) to get the benefit of their different properties. Does anyone have any recommendations?

So far my list is:

• lavender (for relaxation during labour and healing afterwards)
• peppermint (for potential nausea)
• Rose and Jasmine - but these seem to be hideously expensive! Also, what type of Rose is best? Does it need to be absolute/Damascena to get the full benefits? I could afford 1ml...

I'm a bit nervous of Clary Sage as it seems to have a lot of contra-indications. Did anyone use Frankinsense/Nutmeg instead?

And any tips on quantities when making up a blend with carrier oil (I was thinking almond)?

I don't think essential oils have any beneficial properties at all, so I'd just get the ones you think smell nice

I think peppermint can interfere with milk supply so could be one to avoid if you're planning to breastfeed.

Thanks Hatstand, that's interesting, the midwives keep recommending peppermint tea for after the birth so I'll look into this. Maybe something
citrusy woud be a good alternative.

Fair enough RChole, I'd like to use try them even if it's only a placebo effect, where I live it's epidural or nothing, no gas and air, so the more tools I have to relax me, the better. And I'd rather err on the side of caution when it comes to side effects and stay optimistic about the benefits!

Be careful because some essential oils can be really harmful to babies. To be honest I wouldn’t have any of them around a newborn.

I’m pretty sure they had a blanket ban on them at my birthing centre.

I had a water birth, and the midwife added essential oils to the water, so I'm not sure why some posters are saying that they aren't recommended / are dangerous.

The ones used were lavender and chamomile, very calming, smelled lovely. I didn't care for the smell of lavender at all beforehand, now I really like it.

I used clarey sage during my labour it's hard to say how much of an impact it had but my contractions were strong and efficient if you like

Have you considered a TENS machine? You can hire or buy your own if your hospital doesn't have them.

The midwives at the birth centre where I had my second had all just completed a course on essential oils and they were desperate to try it out on me. I had a combo of rose, clary sage and and lavender to sniff on a tissue that i found quite nice and a shoulder massage in between contractions. It was all lovely and calm until the last 10 mins when it all went a bit pear shaped and I was whizzed to labour ward only for ds to fly out as soon as the doors closed behind me!

Interesting to hear such different attitudes -I know from my midwife that their use is actively encouraged in the hospital I'll be giving birth in, but was thinking about hopefully using them at home first too. I understand some are not recommended until you're actually in labour though and I wouldn't use diffuser around a baby.

Moredoll I'm not in the UK and haven't been able to source a TENS machine unfortunately, they're not widely used here (same with gas and air, sadly!) so you can't rent them and they cost a fortune to buy.

I'm a midwife and we use essential oils in our birthing centre.

We use a carrier oil (grape seed) and mix the essential oils into this.

A good blend prior to labour is clary sage, Jasmin and lavender

We only use clary sage in labour if contractions have spaced - so it can be used just with care.

Another blend I like to use during labour is peppermint and lavender - smells incredible

We also have a citrusy one containing bergamot and neroli.

Frankincense undiluted is good for calming in times of panic - we apply to the palms.

I went out and brought some oils before my induction. I won't lie, they didn't even leave the hospital bag, and I ended up having pethidine, gas and air and an epidural!!

Do your research before you use any and by all means plan to use, but just from a personal experience once I was in the moment sniffing an oil was the last thing on my mind

I had essential oils with my first birth. Think it was the same as a PP- rose, lavender, clary sage. My contractions were strong but not overwhelming and I found it very calming.
I had some on a flannel to smell so I could stop when I'd had enough.

Yesterday I put one drop of clary sage in a decent amount of almond oil and massaged my bump before bed but I found it very strong smelling so if you're considering using it, it may be worth having a trial sniff (I'm 39 weeks). I had intended on putting a drop in with a few lavender drops and olive oil as a base oil but I'm unsure now, I think I may just use lavender although I also have orange at home. I think it may be better to just have a drop of clary sage on a flannel instead as I can just throw it if it is too much.

I'm tempted to buy peppermint as I was very nauseous during my first pregnancy.

@Santababyclaus Peppermint oil can be really dangerous if babies inhale it.

www.livestrong.com/article/492985-is-peppermint-oil-safe-for-babies/