What type of oil to bring to birth center for perineum?

[willoLevin]

Just curious which, if any, oil you are bringing with you for your perineum?

The birth center has on their "what to bring" list "Unopened container of oil for perineum if you would like." Does anyone have a favorite type?

I think, unless I can find a very small bottle at Whole Foods, that this might be too much trouble for me...

--willo

[mrsalf97]

I'm not planning on using any for me, but if I were it would be jojoba. It's expensive, but you can put it on baby's bottom for those first sticky poops. It's also great to use for infant massage.

[Keeping up]

My midwives suggested a small bottle of olive oil - also great for baby's butt and sticky poo. I remember the cool feeling the last time of the greasy oil and it felt awesome as I was pushing. No clue if it helped in any way (I didn't tear very much at all but not sure if that was just #3 or olive oil).

So, I bought a bottle this time around too - just in case we do homebirth. The hospital will supply the olive oil.

[rootzdawta]

I know last time the midwife used Arnica oil.

[wombatclay]

Most people use olive oil...but then you have to decide if you want to "splurge" on EVOO or not!

Seriously, olive oil is perfectly fine and much easier to find/less expensive than other oils (any oil will help with baby's butt/poo, and in some cultures olive oil is actually the only thing you use on a babe's skin for the first few weeks!). But if you have a real hankering after something spiffy then go for that.

[GenomicsGirl]

I used olive oil - but get a fresh bottle - not one that's been used in your kitchen for 6 months

[Mab]

I used almond oil at ds's birth, it was great

[wombatclay]

I totally forgot till Mab reminded me...if you want to use some sort of nut oil (or unusual oil) ASK YOUR BIRTH ATTENDANTS if they have any allergies! A friend of mine has a serious nut allergy (to any and all nuts) and can't even be in the same room with nut products...including oils. I've seen her use her epi pen more times than I can count, and I've carted her off to the hospital a few dozen times too (after things you would never imagine causing a reaction).

I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem, but then again...it would really stink if your care provider went into shock or something right then!

Again, probably not going to happen (my friend tells her doula clients about her allergy and I imagine any care provider with such a sever allergy would as well) but asking in advance certainly wont hurt anything!