aromatherapy for labour

[LisaAZ]

Hi!
Does any one know what would be the best aromatherapy or
essential oils to use during labour? Possibly oils to put in the tub
for a water birth or candles. I know some things are definitely
not recommended. So if any one knows or can point me in the
right direction ie; web sites, books it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Nee Nee]

:

[OceanMomma]

Sorry this is a bit fragmented, but I am pregnant & very nauseous & trying to work all at the same time.

If you're gonna be birthing in the tub, you're not supposed to put the oils in there as they could get in the babies eyes.

When I was in labour I sniffed clary sage as I have always found it helpful for period pains. I also had a major craving for some jasmine sambac but couldn't find my bottle. I gave birth accidentally unassisted at home which all the aromatherapy people I have spoken to attribute to the clary sage altho' I'm not so sure. My first labour was 3.5 hrs so I think it was just me. I would have been prepared & made myself a blend but dd was 1 week early & I didn't think I was in proper labour until she was born!

Most of the books you get on aromatherapy are total BS, but maybe get one out of the library & see if you can find a blend that relaxes you without worrying about any supposed therapeutic use.

Some oils I would suggest off the top of my head are :

frankincense - good for meditation & helps deepen breathing.
myrrh - ditto

Actually I think some of the ancient meditation oils would really help for labour as it is the ancient, primordial part of the brain you need to tap into....

rose - feminine, relaxing.
jasmine - ditto
lavender - clean smelling, light, gentle, good muscle relaxant.
neroli - good for calming nerves.
chamomile - ditto

You could make a blend of any 3 of these that appeal to you & put it in a burner. You could use hot compresses of clary sage for pain relief if the contractions get really strong.

Depending on how long you are in labour & what effect you need, you may like to add some citrus oil, like grapefruit, to wake you up a bit.

You can also get hydrosols which you can spritz around the room.

My fave supplier in the US is www.naturesgift.com She could have some good suggestions or a premadeup blend all ready to go which would save you heaps of dough.

Good luck & remember, the key is to get a blend you like & also be open to the fact, you could change your mind in labour or get a strong craving for an oil you need.

[LisaAZ]

Thanks OceanMama for all the advice. It sounds great.

[GB's Mom]

I don't have much experience with aromatherapy, but my mw recommends lavendar. We bought some massage lotion and the scent is very relaxing, so we're going to stick with it and use it during our labor. Now it's become very familiar, so I relax much faster than when we first started using it.

[tabitha]

i also don't have much aromatherapy knowledge, but my doula used a lavender water spray on my in labour. i remember it very vividly.

she brought it out during a prenatal visit to see if i liked the smell. i really did- some lavenders, though, smell better to me than others so i am glad she 'tested' it. anyway, she said you can never be sure what you will like and dislike in labour. she was right, but i ended up really enjoying the lavender spray. she had made it at home with water & essential oil & a spary bottle. i had a lot of intense hot/ cold flashes throughout my labor (which was fast and strong!) and when i was hot the spray was a lifesaver!

i also spent the majority of my labour throwing up. my body's way of 'opening up', i guess! :-) the scent helped cover the smell of the stomach acid- which was all i had to throw up after awhile.

now, three months after my labour, whenever i smell lavender flowers i think of my birth. it has become a very fond memory. i am so glad i have a fond memory, so many don't! and smell is said to be the stongest trigger of memory. whatever scent you use, i hope does the same for you!

love, tabitha

[copslass]

I ordered lavender, clary sage, and the nerve-calming stuff that starts with an n today, as I tend to be a bit nervous and pukey in early labor.
Thanks for the link, OceanMomma!

Tracy

[LisaAZ]

I ended getting bergamot, lavender, clary sage and grapefruit.
Depending on my mood , I think they will work great.

[OceanMomma]

Lavender, grapefruit & bergamot are a lovely blend. Just remember bergamot ( unless it is bergapten free ) is photosensitive so don't go out in the sun for a walk if you've got it on your skin.

Oops just remembered it's autumn where you are!