Burning aromatherapy oils in labour? Advice needed!

[Novia]

Hiya - just wondered if there were any aromatherapy experts around or people who used oils in their labour?

I'm keen to try everything I can to make labour manageable (my first baby is due in 5 weeks) and have been reading about the use of essential oils for relaxation/to encourage contractions, etc.

I have bought an electric burner (so I can plug it in at the hospital) and clary sage, lavender and rose oils. I haven't ever used oils before though so was wondering if anyone knew the answer to these questions:

1. How much of each oil should I use? The same amount of each or more of some than others?
2. Do I need to put water on the burner and add the oils to that? If so - how much?

Any other advice that anyone has would be much appreciated as I'm pretty clueless! TIA.

You will not be allowed to do that. I went to classes offfered by the NHS classes and one of the ladies asked if they'd be allowed one of these and the MW said under no circumstances will something like that be allowed. neither the plugged in version nor the burning one is allowed due to health and safety.

At one of the labour units we toured they said they were completely fine with oils being used but would ask you to put them onto towels or muslins over the radiators to diffuse the oils that way. They do not permit clary sage anywhere in the maternity unit as obviously there are likely to be women on site who are at risk of (or being treated for) premature labour who would be put at risk. You should check with the unit where you are planning to deliver.

Thanks for the advice, That's good to know! I'm likely to be at home for a while, so will just use it then instead and maybe put some oil onto a towel to take with me instead.

Would still be great to find out about blends if anyone knows?

Thanks

When I had my daughter the midwives encouraged the use of oils in labour. There was an electric diffuser in the labour room and they had a selection of oils for me to choose from.

Bump for any aromatherapists coming home from work! :)

I think it depends where you're having your baby. UCH say you're welcome to use oils, in their birth centre at least (not sure about labour ward) but have to be electric diffusers as no naked flames are allowed. You have to bring your own though as they don't supply them. You can also put some drops on a flannel or in a water spray bottle.

I'm afraid I don't know about quantities to use though, but will be watching with interest.

You can also get a carrier oil and mix up a massage oil which can be used on your back and bump. I had aromatherapy during my labour and you only need a few drops on the burner. If you are making a massage oil you can get a carrier oil from places like boots and holland and barrett and you need to use roughly 10mls of carrier oil and 1 drop of each oil. Mix it thoroughly and massage away! I used clary sage during my labour and in fact my midwife gave it to me on a swab to inhale when they were doing my forceps as my contractions had died off a bit.

Thanks guys - I'll talk to my midwife about the burner. It's in a birthing centre within a hospital - so might be okay.

Joby21 - thanks for the advice re: the massage oil. Would you know about mixing quantities for a burner too?

Thanks

Would love to burn Yankee Candles during labour :)

I would probably only use a couple of drops of each. I don't know if you need to use water though.

Disclaimer! I am not a fully qualified aromatherapist but have just done some reading and research and have a friend who is qualified!

Hi Novia I've just had my baby and thought I'd report back as my doula brought essential oils to the birth centre (not the one I mentioned above) and I found them really helpful during the birth both for massage and aromatherapy. I will ask her which she used when she comes over next week to see DS.

I thought this article was quite useful, it talks about amounts needed, and also has some good recommendations for using oils in compresses for your face or back (which would also remove any problem in burning oils on your ward). I used oils in my labour, but I just burnt lavender and rose which I found very soothing (plus I had a home-birth so could burn what I fancied ) I also added drops of lavender and tea tree to warm water for pouring-whilst-peeing in the first days after birth, so keep it to hand!