You may be wondering if Aromatherapy is for you during your labour and birth, this post aims to answer all your questions on the use of aromatherapy oils and how to incorporate them into your birth plan. They will help to soothe pain and provide a relaxed environment.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of scents from natural oils or essential oils to create a relaxing and soothing environment which in turn affects the mind and the body and creates a balance. This leads to a reduction in anxiety and makes it easy to deal with stressful situations. Labour and pregnancy are some of the most stressful situations in a woman’s life but it can be made easy by using some coping techniques. Aromatherapy is one such technique to make it easy for you to bear the pain, anxiety, and stress that comes with labour.
These aromatherapy oils are formed from plant-based ingredients and can enhance well-being. Aromatherapy oils can be rubbed and massaged into the skin, diffused around the room, or mixed in the bath. It is an alternative practice and does not replace medical guidance but can be used along with other medications like the use of epidural for labour pain. Aromatherapy using essential oils is cost-effective and a trusted traditional method of easing pain during labour.
There are some very popular essential oils used worldwide and not just by pregnant women but for all kinds of mental health problems and stressful situations. You must always make sure that you get high grade pure essential oil rather than diluted oils. Absolute aromas are my favourite supplier, they aren’t that expensive, their oils are pure and undiluted and they are a long-established company with strict safety and quality requirements. They are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Which aromatherapy oils to use for Labour
The following oils are safe for use in pregnancy and birth. You should always do a patch test before using them fully in labour.
Lavender Oil is a particular favourite of aromatherapy users. It will help to soothe you down during labour pain and before that as well. It can be used via a diffuser or massaged on the skin to ease muscle tension as well. Lavender is well known for it’s relaxing and sedative properties.
Peppermint oil is another popular aromatherapy oil for labour and can help with back labour. It also helps tone down nausea during pregnancy. A lot of women suffer from nausea and vomiting during the birth.
Clary Sage is another name you must have heard makes an amazing choice as an aromatherapy oil for labour. It helps not only to jumpstart labour but also during labour to calm down the nerves. This oil is particularly helpful in producing breast milk as well.
Frankincense is one of the most powerful essential oils for aromatherapy during labour. It is very soothing when applied to the lower back or can also be put in a diffuser or even on tissue paper. Another great spot to put this oil is the centre of the palms. This can prove to be quite useful near the end of labour as it can be applied as a moisturizer as well.
Jasmine is kind of similar to Clary Sage and has calming properties. It also helps to induce labour as well all the while reducing labour pain.
There are some pre-blended oil blends or aromatherapy kits you can get which you might find useful rather than buying individual oils.
Try some of these oils out before the birth to see which ones you like. There’s no point getting oils for their properties but the smell really puts you off! Smells are powerful for evoking memories and feelings deep inside. You want to aim for a feeling of peace, calm and deep relaxation. The more relaxed you are during labour, the better the process will be.
As safe as aromatherapy is, you must still be careful while using different kinds of aromatherapy oils. Some oils can be safely applied to the skin while others are better if they are put in a diffuser or diluted with a carrier oil like grapeseed oil. Some can cause allergies if applied directly onto the skin. Many women swear by these oils during pregnancy and they are considered very safe. If you want some scientific evidence then you can give this paper a read for more in-depth knowledge about aromatherapy and its significant use in labour. And most importantly, always consult your midwife before starting on with any alternative method of pain control during labour. Have a safe pregnancy!
