Education about the birth process, exploring birthing options, prenatal yoga, and creative imagery—casting off all preconceived ideas of a difficult or painful birth, hypnosis, etc. are all ways to invite the beauty of birth into the experience. THEN...adding such a WONDERFUL complementary modality such as Aromatherapy will be the icing on the cake." - Marge Clark, Aromatherapist
***Please educate yourself on the proper use of Essential Oils. They are potent and can be dangerous when used incorrectly, especially for Pregnant women. Always dilute with a Carrier Oil. Do not ingest Essential Oils except under the guidance of an experienced Certified Aromatherapist. Do not use Essential Oils on a Newborn baby under any circumstances. Essential Oils are very potent and not a good choice for Babies, and are quite often not the best choice for Pregnant women with a little one growing inside. Herbs are almost always a better, gentler choice for both Pregnancy, Labor, Postpartum, and for Newborns as well. As a disclaimer, PLEASE research each Herb and Essential Oil for any complications or risks in light of your health background and any medications you may be on and any complications in your Pregnancy. All of the information below is general advice only.
All that being said, below you will find reputable, safe, and conservative information on using Aromatherapy and Essential Oils to support the entire Childbirth process form Pregnancy to Postpartum. This is the culmination of extensive and ongoing research on my part as an Herbalist, drawing information from various Aromatherapists such as Jeanne Rose, Ashley Glassman, Marge Clark, a Midwife named Penny Lane, DNP, CNM, IBCLC who utilizes Essential Oils during Labor, and Lori Mitchell, RN and Clinical Aromatherapist.
- Helen Rose, Assistant Admin and Herbalist
A Guide to Using Herbs for Pregnancy and Childbirth: https://www.facebook.com/notes/missouri-mamas-crunchy-natural-living-parenting/herbal-pregnancy-childbirth/825063444274550
Essential Oil Info & Education:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/missouri-mamas-crunchy-natural-living-parenting/essential-oils-education-info-resources/661420397305523
Non-MLM Companies to Purchase EOs from:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/missouri-mamas-crunchy-natural-living-parenting/alternative-essential-oil-companies-non-mlm/750930681687827
Some Guidelines for using Essential Oils during Pregnancy & Childbirth:
- Birthing Mothers are best left alone to their own natural laboring rhythm.
- View Essential Oils as an Intervention.
- During Pregnancy, visualize how you plan to have Aromatherapy support your Birth. Experiment a little in the last few weeks of your Pregnancy with using different safe Essential Oils to see which ones they are drawn to. For example, some have more of an affinity for Rose, Geranium, & Jasmine Essential Oils, whereas others are drawn more towards the Citrus Essential Oils. Find what is especially meaningful and soothing for the Pregnant Mother. These tendencies may indicate which Essential Oils will be most effective and beneficial during their Birth, if needed at all. The purpose of this is respecting the fact that a Patient-driven Birth has an ideal outcome, even Aromahtherapeutically.
- Safety: Use common sense. Essential Oils have a long history of safe use, when used correctly. A couple specifics: In general it is wise to avoid using EOs during the first Trimester. Do not over do things, as it's easy to overdoes. They should not be put into the water a Mother is laboring in, since the Baby will encounter it immediately upon birth. Also avoid the facial area of both Mother and Baby.
- When using Aromatherapy during Birth, try to keep it to 3 or less Essential Oils, since the Birthing Mother typically has a heightened perception, it will be better received to keep the Aromatherapy simpler.
- Note that some Mothers prefer either Diffusion or a Topical massage. Sometimes touch can be too stimulating. So be discerning. Before Labor, ask what they have typically preferred in the past when they were sick and vulnerable, i.e. massages and cuddling, or no?
- For Pain Management, it is a better mindset to uncover the cause of the pain, versus simply masking the pain. Don't just treat symptoms.
- Check below for a list of Essential Oils to avoid while Pregnant, and check in the Comments section of this post for helpful Charts for reference.
"In my personal experience 90% of the time whole herbs, or other herbal preparations can be used far more safely and effectively for most situations during pregnancy than essential oils can. Again, that is not to say there isn’t a place for them, but often when people find out how limited the amount of essential oils are that are safe for pregnancy, they feel their “natural” options for managing unwanted symptoms are gone too. But this is not the case at all! Symptoms such as heart burn, nausea, muscle aches, etc., can often be dealt with using herbal preparations that are far less concentrated and far safer for both mama and baby during pregnancy. So don’t despair just because an essential oil is on the “no” list, you may be able to use the plant itself very effectively." - Ashley Glassman, Certified Clinical Master AromatherapistPREGNANCY
Foot-baths, Epsom Salt Baths, & Massaging with a Carrier Oil are all good choices for applying Essential Oils while Pregnant.
- Nausea, Heartburn, & Digestive Health
*Diffused or inhaled especially effective.
Ginger
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Peppermint: Use sparingly at the beginning of Pregnancy because of it’s possible stimulating properties, and sparingly at the end of Pregnancy, since it can decrease Milk production.
Spearmint
- Pain Relief & Tension
Chamomile: Good for back and leg muscle pains, and sciatic nerve pain.
Cypress: Good for leg and ankle swelling and leg cramps, and sciatic nerve pain.
Frankincense: Good for general pain.
Lavender : Good for general pain, and sciatic nerve pain.
Peppermint: Good for general pain. Use sparingly though at the beginning of Pregnancy because of it’s possible stimulating properties, and sparingly at the end of Pregnancy, since it can decrease Milk production.
Sweet Marjoram: Good for back and leg muscle pains, and sciatic nerve pain.
- General Discomfort
- Calming, Relaxation, Supporting Mood & Uplifting Spirits.
Bergamot
Chamomile
Frankincense
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon
Lime
Neroli
Patchouli
Petitgrain
Tangerine
Wild Orange
Ylang Ylang
- Insomnia
Chamomile
Lavender
Lemon
Lime
Neroli
Sweet Marjoram
Sweet Orange
Ylang Ylang
- Fatigue
Lime
Spearmint
Sweet Orange
- Skin Health & Stretch Marks
Frankincense
Lavender
Myrrh
Rose
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange
Tea Tree
- Illness
Cypress: Good for chest congestion.
Fir Needle: Good for chest congestion.
Frankincense: For general illness, chest congestion, and germs.
LABOR
- Assisting Contractions
Jasmine: Strengthens Contractions and dulls Uterine pain.
Myrrh: Speeds Labor and opens Cervix. Apply to the inside of your ankles and abdomen to support Labor and bring on stronger and more consistent contractions when Labor has stalled. This EO is controversial. Some Aromatherapists say not to use and others recommend it. Research and decide for yourself.
- Calming
Chamomile: Very calming, and a gentle pain reliever.
Clary Sage: Relieves tension.
Lavender: Diffuse for calming, relaxation, and soothing during labor. Helps with maintaining gentle, serene atmosphere. Be wary of being too calm though, as it can drag labor out unnecessarily, and result in an overly exhausted birthing Mother. General guide for Lavender: "Less is More". Also great for stopping labor if labor has stalled, and encouraging a time or restfulness or even sleep if needed.
Neroli: Reduces fear, tension, insomnia, apprehension, nervousness, and anxiety. Beneficial for supporting calm, relaxed breathing (especially with small amounts of Frankincense). May be an especially good choice during Transition. One drop only on the pillow.
Rose: Has a very supportive effect emotionally during Labor. Can possibly be overpowering if too much is used though, so subtlety is key here! 1 drop of Rose goes a long way. It is very effective when using the Aromatherapy support of Rose to also visualize the Cervix opening as an actual Rose.
- Energizing
Geranium: Very god for uplifting and assist in balancing emotional states.
Lemon: Diffuse as a mood elevation and support.
- Labor Management
Geranium Rose : Enhances circulation and is good for labor management techniques which focus on breathing.
Rose: Has a cleansing effect on the Uterus, acts as an antidepressant, and has a relaxing, softening effect on ligaments to assist in opening the Pelvis to push larger Babies (especially for smaller Mothers). Rose is a Uterine relaxant, which may seem counterproductive in Birth, but Rose is very Adaptogenic (stabilizing and promoting of homeostasis), so it can help the Uterus to work quite efficiently, yet still promote homeostasis between Contractions. Also, subtlety is the key here with using Rose: 1 Drop goes a long way.
Peppermint, Ginger, or a Digestive Blend: to support a nauseated Mother during Labor. Usually just inhaling the open bottle or putting a drop on a tissue to sniff is adequate.
- Pain
Black Pepper: Apply on lower back for supporting Back Labor.
Jasmine: Dulls Uterine pain and strengthens contractions.
Lavender: Dulls and eases Uterine pain, while increases the strength of Contractions, yet still keeping the Mother calm.
- Afterbirth
POSTPARTUM
*Please refer to the Pregnancy section too for relevant needs.
- Afterbirth Pains
White Fir: Apply to abdomen for pain management.
- Support
MORE ESSENTIAL OIL INFO
- National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy
https://www.naha.org/assets/uploads/PregnancyGuidelines-Oct11.pdf
- Aromatic Birthing and Delivery - Marge Clark, Aromatherapist
- Essential Oils During Pregnancy and For Children - Ashley Glassman, Certified Clinical Master Aromatherapist
- Using Essential Oils Safely for Pregnant & Nursing Mamas - Christina Anthis, Aromatherapist & Herbalist
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