Labouring with aromas

When choosing essential oils you will get what you pay for. Some synthetic oils masquerade as aromatherapy oils and will not have the same therapeutic effect. The key is to look for the Latin name of the herb on the bottle.

Certain oils work better in labour than others. The Oxford study used essential oils such as lavender, frankincense, camomile, rose, jasmine, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, mandarin and clary sage. Each one works in a specific way.

Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia or Lavandula officinalis) is a versatile oil which can be emotionally calming, sedating, relaxing in labour. It can help regulate contractions and is also a good antiseptic. (Some manufacturers recommend that you do not use lavender during pregnancy)

Clary sage (Salva sclarea) can help ease stress and tension and make contractions more efficient. It is an anti-spasmodic oil so can relieve cramp.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is cooling and refreshing. Useful in relieving headache, nausea and vomiting.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) has many of the same properties as peppermint and mixing the two is often very effective particularly for headaches. Alone it can help relieve nasal congestion and is an effective antiseptic.

Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is an anti-inflammatory. It can calm and soothe the emotions.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) is useful in cases of hyperventilation as it slows and deepens breathing. It can calm anxiety and is useful for asthmatics.

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a potent antidepressant and relaxant.

Rose (Rosa damascena) is also an antidepressant and calming for frayed nerves.

Lemon (Citrus limon) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata) are refreshing, uplifting, and cooling they can be mixed with other oils to enhance their effect.

If you are mixing essential oils, keep it simple - no more than five oils in a single mixture. Every women responds better to some oils than others. Try experimenting before labour so you know which ones work best for you.

References

Burns E and Blamey C, Using Aromatherpy in Childbirth, Nursing Times, 1991; 90: 54-60

Reed, L amnd Norfolk L, Aromatherpy in Midwifery, Int J Alt Complementary Med, December 1993:15-7

The Use of Aromatherpy in Intrapartum Care, Oxford Brookes University, 1999

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