What essential oils can I use in labour

[Kyra]

Hi guys,

Please can anyone advise me which essential oils I can use during labour? I want to use oil burners and perhaps put some oils into the water bath (I would like to give birth in water) and also I will have hot compresses for my lower back which I guess can use oils on?

Also in the few weeks leading up to the labour does anyone have any recommendations?

xx nev

ps can I use tee tree oil whilst pregnant?
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[DANC3R]

Hi Nev, sorry to be a party pooper and let you down in your hours of need but you need to get your own aromatherapist to be honest, you being pregnant and all.

I doubt very much that you will be allowed to put oils in the water, especially if you are in hospital, and don't think I would recommend it. The oils will pass directly into the baby's bloodstream and you don't really want that do you? If you are also burning oils and have used oils on yourself prior to the birth you will be using too much and you don't want little nev to come out all dopey now do you? All the little drops add up, including those in your compress (but this is a nice idea).

I wouldn't have a problem with T-Tree, in very small doses. ie one drop of t-tree to 10ml of carrier oil only.

As far as oils for the birth itself, you do need to check with your own aromatherapist, but Jasmin and Rose are usually the favourites and you can't go wrong with lavender. Again, if you burn them, only 1-2 drops in the burner.

Good luck.

 

[gcadgmnx]

thanks ever so much for your advice Candie

love and light

nev and bump
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[johnnyboy123123]

Hi nev

You can use essential oils during labour but as Candie states you need to be aware of how much you are using. I agree that using essential oils in a birthing pool is not recommended as not only can the baby pick them up but more importantly they could get into the baby's eyes and would sting!

I suggest you try lavender or another relaxing oil of your choice in a bath during the first stages as this would relax you and help your endorphins to kick in. You then could make up a blend for your partner or midwife to rub into your lower back during the advanced first stage i.e. rose and frankincense, lavender and jasmine, ylang ylang and neroli (to a 50ml bottle of carrier oil add only 12 drops of your chosen oill in total i.e. 6 drops of lavender and 6 drops of jasmine). You could also use a hot compress on your lower back if needed and you would add 2-3 drops of clary sage, jasmine or lavender (Clary sage is great for helping with the pain but I wouldn't recommend it if you need gas and air or if you need to have a general anaesthetic).

During the second stage of labour you will be too busy to be bothered with aromatherapy (I know I was) but you could add a drop of your chosen essential oil to a tissue and inhale (I find neroli is best and most liked at this stage as it helps stabilise breathing).

After the birth a hot compress will help to expel the placenta and Jasmine is very good for this, again just a couple of drops to a bowl of hot water.

You could burn some oils in a burner in the delivery room, but usually if you are in a hospital they don't like a naked flame near the oxygen bottles (the birth would definately go off with a bang!) and I feel that with the aromas from the other methods burning oils is not required.

You need to be careful that you don't mix too many different smells as this could be overpowering but chose the oils that mean the most to you.

You might think that all these different methods using essential oils add up to quite a lot but if you think an average birth takes approx 12 hours (or more) this amount is quite alright (it is also unlikely that you would use all the 50ml in massage).

I hope you really enjoy the experience and wish you well

Love and light
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[The kistune prince!]

Hi i used lavender and mandarin in the run up to my birth as i wanted to save the best oils till last with maximum effect!During the birth i again used ,rose chamomile roman and clary sage,fantastiaclly relaxing and the clary and chamomile was a great pain killer(during the initial stages!).I burned Bergamot,frankincenseand rose in my room also to relax with great effect,i also made a facial spritzer with bergamot,grapefruit and something else fr which i cant think at the mo!