“What is that lovely smell?”
Aromatherapy and essential oils has been used for centuries to promote health and wellbeing and to create a relaxed and peaceful environment. As a doula, I have been using essential oils successfully in the labour and birth environment. It has an effect on everyone entering the room. So many times a doctor or nurse will comment on the lovely smell and relaxed feeling as they enter the room. That is what I call the bonus effect.
As you prepare for your upcoming labour and birth, there are various options and tools that you can explore to help you create a relaxed environment and manage discomforts. Essential oils are just one of them.
The quality and purity of the essential oils you use are very important. It is also important to remember that not all essential oils are created equal. It is crucial that you use pure essential oils during pregnancy, labour and birth. You will want oils that are free of toxins and contaminants. All doTERRA essential oils are thoroughly tested to ensure purity and safety, and when used appropriately, provide a safe option during pregnancy. That is why we only use and recommend doTERRA essential oils.
Here is a list of top essential oils for labour and birth:
Single oils
1. Lavender
Promotes relaxation and reduces stress.
2. Peppermint
Creates Alertness, energises and has a cooling effect.
Relieves nausea.
3. Clary Sage
Hormone balancer. Helps speed up labour and regulates the utirene muscle
4. Wild Orange
Creates an uplifting mood
5. Frankincense
Grounding and calming oil.
Blends
·Balance: Grounding and calming blend.
Spruce Leaf, Ho Wood Leaf, Frankincense Resin, Blue Tansy Flower, Blue Chamomile Flower, and Osmanthus Flower essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Oil.
·Serenity: Restful Blend has a calming and relaxing aroma.
Lavender Flower, Cedarwood, Ho Wood Leaf, Ylang Ylang Flower, Marjoram Leaf, Roman Chamomile Flower, Vetiver Root, Vanilla Bean Absolute, Hawaiian Sandalwood.
There are many other essential oils that also work well with labour and birth like: Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Spearmint, Geranium, Lemon, Deep Blue and Aromatouch.
You can also make your own roller 10ml bottle blends mixed with fractionated coconut oil.
Popular blends:
Focus and energising:
10 drops each Wild Orange and Peppermint
Labour progress:
15 drops Clary Sage, 5 drops Lavender and 5 drops Geranium
Relaxing and grounding:
10 drops Lavender and 5 drops Frankincense
Calming:
10 drops Balance and 5 drops Serenity
After birth you can continue using your blends as and when needed.
Perineum Spray:
In a 30 ml glass spray bottle mix
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Tea Tree
10 drops Geranium
5 drops Helicrisum (optional)
Toped up with Witch Hazel
You can use this spray after the birth to soothe the perineum area.
You might be wondering, “It is safe to use essential oils during pregnancy and birth?” Due to the ethical issue of testing expecting mothers and their babies, there are limited clinical studies addressing the safety of essential oils during pregnancy. However, we can rely on the history of safe use to determine which essential oils to use during pregnancy.
It is important to remember that during pregnancy, it is not uncommon for a woman to be sensitive to essential oils. Due to these sensitivities and all of the changes that occur in the body when pregnant, it is important to consult with your doctor before using essential oils during pregnancy.
To read more about the studies and evidence of using essential oils in pregnancy and labour, have a look at this article from Evidence Based Birth.
You need to feel safe and comfortable with the tools you choose to support you in labour in birth. We are all different and making choices on this journey is personal and unique.
I am here to support you on your journey from pregnancy to birth and beyond. To read more about my doula services, click here.
Have a look at our antenatal classes that we offer in-person and also online.
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