Labour: Clary sage & Lavender

[shhhh]

I'm 24 weeks pregnant BUT am getting myself prepared for the birth. This is my 2nd birth and I'm still scared shitless..

I have read that when in labour the above can help to relax you and to make the pain easier to bear....Can anyone suggest where I can buy it from, inparticular I want it in the form I can rub into my bump. I;m not to hot on aromatheropy methods etc so have no idea what to buy or how to mix etc. Just wondered if I could buy it pre done..??

TIA. xx

Hi Shhhh

I've got no idea, don't know that much about aromatherapy myself, just wanted to say I hope you have as easy a second birth as I had - 2 hours from start to finish with pain for the last 10 - 15 minutes (and not so intense either!) I remember being scared stiff by the though of labour and delivery before having DS2. had I known then it would be so easy for me, I'd have saved myself a LOT of worry!

How are you, bump and dd btw??

Shh - you need to blend them with a carrier (base) oil - this is a vegetable oil which dilutes the essential oils and make them safe for use in massage - essential oils are extremely concentrated. It also allows the essential oils to be transported through the skin surface.

A blend of 2 drops of clary sage and 2 drops of lavender (or jasmine) should be blended with apoprox 4 teaspoons of base oil (such as sweet almond). Shake together, keep the bottle closed and use within 4 weeks.

I buy mine from Holland and Barrett and they sell online if there's not a branch near to you. holland and Barrett

Shh, should say that clary sage and jasmine (or lavender if you prefer) should not be used until labour. Neroli or mandarin oil are nice to massage in after 3 months (2 drops of either in 4 teaspoons of sweet almond oil) - masage in half a teaspoon daily.

Hi maddison..!!!Nice to hear a friendly voice so to speak..!! I so hope the birth is as good as yours, Im stressing about leaving dd alone as well as never left her with anyone before but thats another story (pnd..doesn't help..) So I hope its within hours..!
Its just fear of the unknown I think. DD's birth was 10 hours 50 mins which apparently is good for your 1st so heres hoping to an even quicker one.

BTW we are having a ds this time..! Complete shock but a lovely one.
How are you and family doing..?

Incy, sorry to sound dumb but do holland and barrett sell the carier oil..I take it I just need almond oil..? Sorry but I;m black when it comes to this...
Now am I ok to use it near my due date..? You know just to push things along..? I think I want to aim for an arrival on time and without pain (Ha..! Like thats possible..! Its better to wait for a bus..!)

nz, you may get a better response posting this again under a new thread on the pregnancy & childbirth board.

Yes Shh, Holland and Barrett also sell the sweet almond base oil (the carrier oil) which you would need to buy one bottle of along with a bottle of lavender and clary sage essential oils. Clary sage can supposedly bring on labour so best to avoid until your due date - neroli and maderin oils are nice to mix with the sweet almond oil for a massage pre your due date. I am sure all will be ok and try not to worry about the pain - I have used essential oils for many years and I think they are fab.

thanks incy..! so I take it I am safe to rub the oils from h&b straight into my bump once they have been mixed etc..?

Thanks for your help and advice. Think of me in 16 weeks time ..

Dear shhhh,
i have had three home births and am 31 weeks pregnant,im planning on having this one at home,so am limited in what pain relief i can have,i have used an aromatherapy massage consisting of lavender, clary sage and ylang ylang in an almond oil base.my husband rubs it into my back during labour and i have found it bloody marvellous.As for being scared shitless,this as i said will be my fourth,and its been nearly nine years since i last gave birth,all births being wonderful experiences,yet i too am still feeling worried and concerned about coping.I think in any situation you are bound to feel a bit scared when pain is involved.I am counting on my body knowing exactly what to do as it always has done.

thanks stingray. 4 th baby..wow inspiration..! DH 7 I want to have 5 in total but I must admit hnow at 24 weeks I am panicing and have already asked dh if he would mind if we stopped at 2... I keep thinking..didn't I think of the "labour" part when we decided to try for baby 2 lol..!!

I will try the oils you and incy have recommended. I suppose though the birth hits all of us at some stage. I just wish I could bypass it all and wake with a gorgeous baby by my side..!! Hey ho.

Yes, ok to rub in on abdomen and lower back in labour (but avoid clary sage and /jasmine lavender combo) until due date.) In the meantime you could rub half a teaspoon of the sweet almond base oil daily on your bump which is nice (and helps with stretch marks supposedly.) A back massage of 2 drops of neroli in 4 teaspoons of sweet almond base oil after 3 months is also nice. [smile}

Hiya Shhhh
As an aromatherpist and Homeopathist, there are a number of things that you can do to help labour pains etc.
Theres too many to mention on here (and too little time lol), so if you want info, email me on
jopowell1 at yahoo dot co dot uk

HTH

have emailed you. Thanks x

Thanks again incy, off to h&b this week to get my self prepared..! . xx