Aromatheraphy for labour- did you? are you planning to?

[honeyapple]

Hi there

Just starting on NCT antenatal teacher training and looking at complimentary medicine in labour- and particularly at the moment- aromatherapy.

Very interested to know if any one has, or is planning to use aromatherapy for labour.

And if you have- did it help? What did you use?

And if you are planning to- why? And which essential oils?

Also- how- massage? In bath/pool water? Oil burner?

Many thanks in advance,

honeyapple

Use clary sage for lower back massage. Gosh it was heady - not sure if I could bear the smell of it now! Did help strengthen the contractions though I'm sure.

When I had dd1 at the John Radcliff in Oxford they offered 3 aromatherapy oils to each labouring woman (they had conducted a large study there as I recall). I had clary sage and jasmine to stimulate contractions (not a chance!) and peppermint for nausea (as above). Despite the fact that neither appeared to be efficacious in that instance I fully support their use as a low cost, low intervention tool in the pregnancy/birth kit. The Corby (I think that's what it's called) birth centre in Derbyshire offer a great service where they 'custom make' a blend for each woman to use in labour so it may be worth contacting them. Good luck.

I used a special blend of aromatherapy oils called Labour Day, from a place on Northcote Rd in Battersea. It was recommended to me by my mw. It had no effect as I was 12 days overdue, and I used it hugely in those last days.

During labour I used peppermint oil, was hideously sick throughout, and the peppermint oil, honestly, seemed to make it worse. Second time round I had to have a planned section, and I didn't use the peppermint oil even tho I was terrified of vomiting all over theatre, because the smell, even now, makes me feel all queasy.

Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear. I'm sure others have much more positive experiences.

I planned to, yes

I personally don't think it makes a difference.

Something 'takes over' you in the delivery room and you probably won't notice if its clary sage or a Glade Plug-in tbh

Thanks for the replys

moddlum- I am interested to hear any experiences- positive or not! I have had 3 babies myself and never even thought of aromatheraphy (not very big on smells). I would like to be able to give information based on different women's perspectives- as we all experience birth differently.

reik- I have heard about the John Radcliff- and interesting that although it didnt help you, you can see the potential benefits.

atleast- Glade plug in!! I would definitely have noticed that! CANT STAND THEM! Sniff them out at 100 paces

Jetli- thanks for info on clary sage

my friend had her 1st baby two months ago; she had been pushing for 1.5hrs and was getting too exhausted to carry on and thinking she was going to have to be taken into the CLU. The midwife suggested aromatherapy (usually something friend would piss herself laughing at) but she said it really worked and gave her that last bit of energy to finish the job

I did this with dd1

made no bloody difference at all!!

Had a 37 hour back to back labour and anyone who came near me with the sugesstion of me smelling anything was told to fuck off.

Massage was impossible as once I was in "established" labour (that was about when they let me have gas and air, diamorphine and some augmentation for my serious ly stalled back to back labour) if anyone touched me I lunged - including the time i bit dh!!!!

(dd1 was delivered by ventouse with no other pain releif or episisotomy but 2nd degree tear after 37 hours and 13 of those in the delivery suite!!)

In no othe rlabour did I even consider alternative methods, and was delighter when ds put in his appearance 10 hours from waters going (first sign) and dd2 at 12 hours from induction.

As far as I am concerned, you can do this stuff it it makes you feel good, but if it doesn't, don't!!!!

I planned to use an oil burner in hospital, but it was pointed out to me that the room was full of pressurised gases and oxygen cylinders so candles were not an option. Makes sense but I was disappointed at the time.