Essential Oils During Labor?

calimama2007

I read recently that they can be helpful during labor, presumably mostly as a distraction. I have a friend who is a sales rep for doterra, and I have talked about it with her a bit.

Was wondering if anyone else plans on using them, and if so, which ones are you planning on using?

halfthetree

My doula is really quite knowledgeable about EO's, so she will be helping me out. I am obsessed with lavender this pregnancy, so that will be around. Peppermint close by for nausea, I think jasmine and frankinscence are helpful as well.

noconalove

I would like to know as well. From others experience not just from google. I have a few that are calming, but are there any that help with focus?

VeronicaAnn143

I'm not sure that orange essential oil (while it sounds lovely) could have distracted me from monster contractions.

I'm not sure that the Chippendale's dancers could have...

calimama2007

Have you talked about any blends? My friend (who just had her 5th med free birth) recommended some, and while I'd LOVE to get them all, they run like $30-$50 each, for less than 1 oz. I understand why that's the case, but it's not making my decisions any easier! lol

I'm loving lavender big time too!

These are the ones she recommended:

Balance
Grounding Blend

Everyone experiences moments of disconnectedness or anxiety. The warm, woody aroma of Balance, dōTERRA®'s grounding blend, creates a sense of calm and well-being. We perfectly blend spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy with fractionated coconut oil to offer an enticing fragrance which promotes tranquility and a sense of balance. For aromatic or topical use.

Deep Blue®
Soothing Blend

According to recent studies, more than half of us are sufferers of ongoing discomfort. Deep Blue® is dōTERRA®'s soothing solution to this challenge. Wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, helichrysum and osmanthus work together to ease achy joints and sore muscles. Its effects are deep and penetrating with sustained results. Once gently rubbed into the area of discomfort, Deep Blue's cool therapeutic benefit will be felt almost immediately. For topical use only.

ClaryCalm™
Monthly Blend for Women

ClaryCalm? is a proprietary blend of Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils that have been traditionally used to balance hormones and manage symptoms of PMS and the transitional phases of menopause. A topical blend of clary sage, lavender, bergamot, Roman chamomile, cedarwood, ylang ylang, geranium, fennel, carrot seed, palmarosa and vitex, ClaryCalm? provides temporary respite from cramps, nausea, hot flashes, and the emotional swings sometimes associated with regular hormone cycles in women.

Elevation
Joyful Blend

Elevation is the perfect blend for those moments when you need to be revitalized. This exciting blend provides an invigorating combination of CPTG® essential oils that can elevate your mood and increase your energy. Elevation is a blend of lavandin, tangerine, elemi, lemon myrtle, melissa, ylang ylang, osmanthus and sandalwood blended flawlessly for an immediate and dramatic effect. For aromatic or topical use.

calimama2007

VeronicaAnn143 said:

I'm not sure that orange essential oil (while it sounds lovely) could have distracted me from monster contractions. I'm not sure that the Chippendale's dancers could have...

lol! I think it's more like another tool to use for potential distraction, but I know what you're saying, it's certainly not like a magical solution. (This is my 4th LO)

PeachLove25

I use a lavender headache/tension blend that is packed in my hospital bag!

HummingbirdMama

We have several packed but the one I anticipate getting the most use of is the lavender, as a massage oil. An orange-cinnamon blend can be really nice, as can ylang ylang with a bit of black pepper...

dunvilles

I guess it depends on what type of birth you are wanting or will have.

I had a 4 hr birth with an epi... wasn't even enough time to think about a distraction... lol

If you're going med free and/or natural this might be helpful..

calimama2007

dunvilles said:

I guess it depends on what type of birth you are wanting or will have.

I had a 4 hr birth with an epi... wasn't even enough time to think about a distraction... lol

If you're going med free and/or natural this might be helpful..

Yeah, I have never had a 4 hour labor, with or without meds. My first was 23 hours with an epi, and ended in a c/s. Lucky you!

dunvilles

calimama2007 said:

dunvilles said:

I guess it depends on what type of birth you are wanting or will have.

I had a 4 hr birth with an epi... wasn't even enough time to think about a distraction... lol

If you're going med free and/or natural this might be helpful..

my 1st labor was easy but pregnancy is not for me. 5 losses and strict bed rest due to PTL (plus meds) starting at 29 and 32 wks... at least one portion was good. Lol

Yeah, I have never had a 4 hour labor, with or without meds. My first was 23 hours with an epi, and ended in a c/s. Lucky you!

LetoileDuNord

I got to smell the different oils that my hospital offers yesterday. All of them smelled pretty bad to me with the exception of lavender, so that's what I would use. They had an orange one, marjoram (for pain), and a couple of blended ones. They said lavender is by far the most popular one they have.

ahare2009

I do not plan on using them, but our childbirth instructor warned us about covering ourselves with anything. She made a good point that it may be calming in the beginning but later in labor trigger a different response. She recommended putting the oil on a cotton ball and sticking that on you/gown with a bandaid that way it is easily removed.

noconalove

I didn't even think about not wanting to baby to touch them. I think the cotton ball idea is great. I want skin to skin ASAP if possible so I will keep these oils off of my chest. Maybe keep them confined to back massage given by my husband.

gateship

I have used EO during my entire pregnancy. For example: peppermint for nausea, lavender for headaches (I am allergic to Tylenol so I had to try natural methods of pain relief) , and a ton of blends for different things. I plan on having a med free birth and as such I plan on using the oils to help with the labor- of course who know how things will actually go . 

If you are interested in finding out a bit more about EO and how they can be possibly used during pregnancy and labor, there is a book called Gentle Baby all about essential oils, pregnancy, labor, and uses after. One thing to note is that it is based on using YoungLiving Essential oils...I don't know that much about doterra oils. 

I am not sure I would want to used EO for the first time in labor but since I have been using them for the whole pregnancy, I don't think they would bother me. In fact, I think it will be the exact opposite and they will make me feel more comfortable but again I have used them for months now. However, I think the idea of using cotton balls is a great idea for those who might want to try it but haven't used them in the past. 

BzeetyD

Cotton ball with safety pin is what my hospital uses. Scents can easily and suddenly become disliked in labor and this is quickly removed and there should never been enough oil on it to soak into one's clothing.

I'm bringing lavender, peppermint and grapefruit (which is fresh and energizing) but think I'll likely stick to lavender. We'll see. I use them from time to time at home.

calimama2007

ahare2009 said:

I do not plan on using them, but our childbirth instructor warned us about covering ourselves with anything. She made a good point that it may be calming in the beginning but later in labor trigger a different response. She recommended putting the oil on a cotton ball and sticking that on you/gown with a bandaid that way it is easily removed.

Great point! I was thinking of only using it on my back for massage/pressure points, but that totally makes sense about something working well in the beginning, then being revolting at the end. I will plan on the cotton ball trick!

Also, great point about the familiarity of scents, I think I will just stick with what I know, which is lavender, peppermint, and then maybe a citrus or rose scent, since I have been around those throughout the pregnancy.

Thanks so much ladies, some great input/suggestions!