Aromatherapy during labour

[jen992]

We had a tour of our local delivery suite/ward yesterday evening. One of the things the midwife mentioned was the use of aromatherapy during labour and that the hospital provides the oils (think she said Lavender, Frankincense and some other one?)

Does anyone have any experience of aromatherapy during labour? I have never used this technique (during labour, or in 'everyday life'). I have googled it but there is so much info on the net i just wanted some real life experiences really!!

She also said about putting some of the oil in the bath or inhaling it from a hanky.
x

Bumping for you.

I used Clary Sage - called a natural "gas and air". It also stimulates contractions and can speed things up if they're slowing down.

I used some as well for my first and very long labour.

I remember there was lavender - I don't really like the smell, but I thought it would be ok...
it wasn't, I felt really trapped by the smell -so just make sure that you LIKE the smell of whatever you use.

Good Luck!!!

I made a labour massage oil at Neal's Yard to take in with me, they help you choose what to mix to achieve the desired effects.
How nice they have them there for you!

Clary Sage is the obvious labour one, I also added Lavender for calming and pain relief, and jasmine for reducing anxiety, but if you want a guide to look at see the link below - it's actually an NHS guideline to aromatherapy in labour, so should show you exactly what oils they will have:
scroll to page 9

I love the smell of lavender and mentioned to my DP that we could use it during labour. When the day arrived, it all came on so quick I had no idea what was happening/when, so was pleasantly surprised when at some point I entered the living room (it was a homebirth) and found that DP had set up the room complete with futon/plastic sheet/duvet and oil burner with lavender oil! (Not sure where I had been - must have gone to the loo...)

Anyway, it was lovely, lovely and now whenever I smell lavender I think of DD's birth (That's a good thing, by the way)

Choose an oil that you like the smell of and it can really help to calm you and make you feel comfortable. Awww, thinking about it I could even just go through that birth again right now! Good luck and hope you enjoy it.

I've just ordered a couple of oils online, Lavender, Clary Sage and Nutmeg oil.

The nutmeg oil is supposed to act like gas and air too....apparently makes you feel a bit spaced out.