Let the Labor Begin!

The essential oils described in this post refer only to therapeutic grade essential oils. I only recommend Young Living essential oils, as I am certain of their high quality.

The other day, I shared with you how my daughter, Tiffany, used peppermint essential oil to get her stubborn posterior baby to “turn” during childbirth. It made a believer out of her midwife, and made for one grateful grandma on my end, as I eagerly awaited news over the phone of her progress (from 2000 miles away)!

The “other grandma” (we call ourselves grandsisters!) was giving me blow-by-blow updates as labor progressed. We were both praising God for His gift of peppermint that day! He surely gives His children good gifts!

I also shared with you how Tiffany had prepared an essential oil “birth stash” ahead of time for all the various needs she may have during her home birth.

I’m including her personal list here, as well as some various helpful tips I’ve learned from other moms over the years (including my own experiences!). As usual, the information provided on The Common Scents Mom is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

Using Essential Oils During Pregnancy and Childbirth from James McDonald on Vimeo.

Tiffany’s Essential Oil Birth Stash

Geranium (we have used this oil numerous time to help stop bleeding)

Lavender

Peppermint

Lemon

Clary Sage

Rosewood

Cypress

Frankincense

Bergamot

Spikenard

Thieves Blend

Valor Blend

Gentle Baby Blend

Peace and Calming Blend

Deep Relief (roll on)

Harmony Blend

Sensation Blend

Clara Derm Spray

Home Diffuser

Crock Pot

Ninxia Red

Morning Sickness

Ningxia Red, Orange Oil, Lemon Oil, Peppermint Oil, Ginger Oil, and Di-Gize blend

Perineum Care:

Apply to perineum three weeks prior to labor:

8 drops Geranium

5 drops Lavender

1 oz. almond oil

Massage into perineum during labor:

5 drops Clary Sage

2 drops Rosewood

1 oz. almond oil

Stretch and Massage vaginal opening (to avoid tearing) using:

4 drops Frankincense

1 T. olive or almond oil

The Frankincense also helped to alleviate the “burning” feeling that sometimes comes when baby is crowning.

Cleansing Perineum After Birth:

6 oz. warm water

5-10 drops Lavender oil

Cleanse perineum area with entire contents of the bottle of warm lavender water after each trip to the bathroom. This is very soothing and healing.

Swelling or Soreness after Birth:

Soak clean wash cloth in water with five drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of geranium oil. Wring out cloth, place in a Ziploc, and refrigerate until well chilled. Apply to sore area for relief.

For Hemorrhoids:

1 oz. almond oil

5 drops geranium oil

5 drops lavender oil

2 drops cypress oil

Gently cleanse area, and apply directly to hemorrhoids twice per day, or after each bowel movement.

I used this recipe after my last two 8 lb. babies and it was the only thing that gave me major, instant relief (and I had tried everything – even Preparation H). However, one mom told me that it was too strong for her sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, and it burns, you can dilute it easily by immediately applying plain almond oil (or another carrier oil) to the area.

Clara Derm Spray:

“Helps relieve a variety of skin irritations, burning and itching, particularly in sensitive female areas. Its gentle spray helps control rashes, candida, etc. Especially suited for the vaginal areas before and after childbirth.” – Essential Oil Desk Reference

Contains: Coconut oil, Myrrh, Tea Tree, Lavender, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Helichrysum.

Moving Things Along:

Clary Sage (Warning: May induce labor. Not for use during pregnancy):

Increase and Strengthen Contractions:

To increase and strengthen contractions, Tiffany applied Clary Sage around the inside of her ankles. Others have applied the essential oil, along with a carrier oil, directly to the abdomen. Some have found that taking one drop of Clary Sage internally in a glass of milk or almond milk every hour or so during labor is very affective for thinning and dilating the cervix. Still others prefer taking a few drops of Clary Sage in a capsule.  WARNING: I only use Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils. Lower quality oils may be toxic. Know your product.

Align Mom’s Hips and Help Her Relax

At delivery, align mother’s hips and apply Valor along inside and bottom of feet to calm anxiety.

Breech or Posterior Position:

• Breech: Apply therapeutic grade peppermint oil to top of stomach in the shape of a rainbow
• Posterior: Apply therapeutic grade peppermint oil to lower back. (The midwife could feel the baby turning!)

Pain Management

Uterine Pain:

My personal favorite form of pain relief during my labors was this:

Keep by the bed, a heated crockpot filled with purified water and a dozen wash cloths. Make sure the water is hot (but not too hot to handle). Place 15-20 drops of lavender in water. Have someone assigned to keeping a steady flow of warm, wrung out, wash cloths to place across your belly during contractions. As soon as it cools, replace with a new cloth. This can be a big job when mom is in transition, so having someone assigned to this is very helpful. It was a lifesaver for me (and I got rather demanding about it!) “New washcloth….NOWWWWW!”

Lavender is very helpful for dulling and easing uterine pain; but, it is also good for relieving back and leg pains too.  In addition, it is a balancing and calming oil that can help to relax the body and ease nervousness.  It restores emotional balance, and has been said to strengthen contractions.

Frankincense

During transition, apply Frankincense to abdomen in a carrier oil or on warm washcloth as described above.

Back Pain:

Frankincense, Valor, Pan Away, or Deep Relief. Apply to sore areas of back, legs, or hips.

Headache: Deep Relief is good for stress/tension headaches. Apply to back of neck or temples, but be careful not to get in eyes. Peppermint or lavender may also be good headache relievers.

Emotional Stress/Tension

Bergamot:

Apply to forehead and temples, or on location for relaxation.

Gentle Baby:

Diffuse in room (Tiffany and Ben diffused this during her entire labor and she said it was so soothing and relaxing.)

Valor:

Rub into shoulders to stay relaxed. Apply to inside and bottom of feet to help focus and to calm anxiety.

Rosewood, Spikenard, Peace & Calming, Sensation, Sacred Mountain:

Diffuse directly into air for a calming atmosphere. Dilute with carrier oil and massage to relieve nervous tension, or use in bath to relieve stress or panic.

To Alleviate Nausea during labor:

Peppermint:

Put one drop on tongue to alleviate nausea.

Rosewood:

Inhale in a compress to alleviate nausea.

Sips of NingXia Red

Miscellaneous Aches and Pains of Childbirth and Postpartum:

Dizziness

If feeling light-headed, dizzy, or like you’re going to pass-out:

Peppermint:

Apply behind the ears.  Put a drop on tissue and inhale slowly.

Stalled Bladder:

If having a hard time urinating after labor:

Peppermint:

Put a few drops in the toilet.

Chills:

Thieves:

Diffuse into air. This also cleanses the air.

After Pains

After labor, apply a warm, wet washcloth with a few drops of Frankincense and lavender to the abdomen.

Stretch Marks – Gentle Baby or Frankincense mixed with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex (or coconut oil)

Difficulty Sleeping - Peace and Calming, Harmony, Sensation, Sleep Essence, Sandalwood, or Lavender diffused into the air. Also a drop or two of lavender on the blankets or sheets make for a peaceful sleep for mommy and baby (test fabric first). RutaVala or Vetiver rubbed into feet.

If want to start using essential oils to care for your own family, I would recommend buying them wholesale. Why pay retail when you don’t have to? It’s kind of like being a Costco member, but without the yearly fee. In fact, there isn’t a fee to becoming a wholesale customer at all. The only requirement is the purchase of a starter kit. Find out more HERE. 

Categories: Childbirth, Essential Oil Tips, Healthy Living
Tags: essential oils for childbirth, Labor, natural childbirth, natural pregnancy, Post partum, Pregnancy