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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Anyone know about using essential oils in labour?

11 replies

fuzzybunny · 19/03/2009 15:52

Anyone know about using essential oils in labour? The best ones for what reasons? And how to use as well?

Ta X

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childrenchildreneverywhere · 19/03/2009 17:50

The best oil to use is one that you love, that relaxes and calms you and that you've used lots to condition these feelings before the birth!

Good oils "for birth" include:

Chamomille
Clary Sage
Rose
Lavender
Neroli
Jasmine
Ylang Ylang

Clary Sage and Chamomille were proven to reduce the need for anaesthesia in a study conducted at an Oxfordshire maternity unit.

YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 19/03/2009 17:53

I love Clary Sage - described as "NAtural Gas and Air"

Lavender and Jasmine are also soothing.

CCE is right though - the important thing is that you like the smell so go by your nose (although you shouldn't sniff clary sage until you're due as it can trigger labour)

Megglevache · 19/03/2009 17:53

I used lavender and rosemary, found them fantastic and surprisingly uplifting/soothing/wonderful

Mine were used in oil (almond) to massage my lower back and then put on a cold flannel for me to put on my face.

fuzzybunny · 20/03/2009 09:34

Oh goodie, I bought some Clary sage, but have been told not to smell it so will be a surprise (hopefully a nice one) when the time comes.
I have also got Lavender which I love and was thinking of putting it in a burner to help chill out my hubby as well.

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vbacqueen1 · 20/03/2009 10:33

Something that's worth remembering - quite often, the smells that we love at any other time can become abhorrent during labour! It's a good idea to either put a couple of drops of oil onto some tissue so you can throw it away if you decde you don't like it, or fill the handbasin with hot water and add it to that. Much easier to pull the plug or throw the tissue away than to try to get the smell off after you've just covered yourself in it!

CoffeeCrazedMama · 20/03/2009 10:37

I still remember how wonderful it was when the midwife put some lavender oil on a cloth and gave it to me during labour with dd3 (10 years ago!) It was a fantastic relief - the smell is so therapeutic and relaxing.

Chellesgirl · 20/03/2009 12:54

Right first of all Dont use the Clary Sage unless you want to go into labour. You should avoid Basil, Cederwood, Clary Sage, Fennel, juniper, Majoram, Myrrh, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme. All of these stimualte uterine contractions.

Dont buy over the counter products as they may not be safe to use during pregnacy. Use pre-natal blends of essential oils.

Never apply them direct to the skin or use internally.

After your first timester you can use 2 drops of essential oil of lemon and 2 drops of geranium. Put them on a cloth onto the shower head and when they vapourise this will refresh and balance your emotions.

Anxiety can be reduced by using 2 drops of Yland-ylang and 4 drops of geranium. Place on a tissue and inhale throughout the day.

2nd trimester+, you can place 2 drops of lavender and geranium to a quarter cup of milk and add to the bath water.
You can do this for sore breasts too.

Prepare the perenium with a carrier oil, such as Jojoba oil, which is really lubricating. Massage into the skin making it supple and to help prevent tearing.

During labor you can use Neroli oil and sandalwood oil. Place into a vapurizer. If your contractions stop during labor use a few drops of Clary Sage inhaled from a hankerchief.

Also for information you can:
A week before the birth use arnica drops and dilute in the bath to prevent bruising.
Ginger can be used as an anti-nausea
Rasberry leaf tea can be taken in the last 3 weeks of the pregnancy (NOT IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER) to tone the uterine muscles.

You can drink Nettle leaf Tea throughout pregnacy as it is rich in Iron. Just put the nettle leaves in boiling water.

fuzzybunny · 20/03/2009 13:05

Chellesgirl - Thank you for all the info.
I am due in 2 weeks and have been taking raspberry leaf since week 33 as discussed with my midwife and using plain old olive oil for perineal massage.
I was really looking at oils for the labour itself, but may be opening the Clary sage a little earlier if I go overdue!

I have got some arnica tablets (again as discussed with my midwife) but am unsure when to start taking them, would that be during labour or do you think it would help earlier?

OP posts:
Chellesgirl · 20/03/2009 13:07

No you can take arnica before labour. The tablets help to bring the bruising out quicker so that it dont last as long. Id start taking them in about a weeks time if you havent popped by then.

Chellesgirl · 20/03/2009 13:11

lavender and geranium
Neroli oil and sandalwood oil can be used during labor. The ways are stated above.

Try eating ginger biscuits when in labor with water to help reduce the nausea if you get any. I didnt fortunately.

The clary sage can be used after week 40. But I woulnt reccommend you use them until in labor as you never know - Baby may just need that little extra time inside you. But past week 42 then fair enough.

Niki12 · 20/03/2009 13:12

Hi, about Clary Sage is it really good to get labour started? I thought it was used to reduce pain sensation during labour.
If it helps getting things started then I should have a go now (5 days overdue and cannot wait!). I am going to open the bottle now!!! TC

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