Aromatherapy in Childbirth - Several Articles

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Here are several articles about using Aromatherapy during (and after) childbirth ....

 

*Smile*Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

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http://www.thebabyorchard.com/resources/healthcare/ART2005.html

Aromatherapy in Childbirth

by Annie Warburton

Annie Warburton created the Œaromatherap.ie range of oils and soaps for Fragrances of Ireland. Visit www.aromatherap.ie for more aromatherapy tips and ideas. To receive the aromatherap.ie ezine, email annie.

 

Aromatherapy is becoming a popular choice in the labour ward. Essential oils can help relieve pain, create a pleasant atmosphere for both the mother and those attending her, and help keep emotions balanced. And a scented room is the perfect welcoming environment for a new baby. If you intend to use essential oils during labour, you may want to discuss this first with the hospital or midwife as part of your birth plan. More and more midwives are training in aromatherapy and can give you advice on using oils during labour. Plan ahead and pack your favourite oils to bring with you to hospital: a couple of neat oils for use in a diffuser and a massage blend.

Diffusers

Many labour wards are equipped with aromatherapy diffusers, or bring along your own. Choose an electric diffuser, safer than the candle-powered type. Use lavender, bergamot or geranium oils to keep the air fresh and create a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere. These are emotionally balancing oils and are antimicrobial.

Massage

During all stages of labour, massage can bring welcome relief to the intensity of the contractions. Partners should take the same approach that (hopefully) they have been using throughout the pregnancy, using long, firm strokes following the guidance of the woman. It is easiest to prepare a blend ahead of time to bring into hospital. For a scented massage oil, dilute jasmine, clary sage, lavender, or frankincense in a base oil using no more than 2 drops essential oil per 5ml carrier. Jasmine and Clary Sage have traditionally been used during labour to help contractions and ease muscular pain; lavender is antiseptic and analgesic; frankincense deepens breathing and calms.

Visit Ireland's aromatherapy website at www.aromatherap.ie!

This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional healthcare.

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http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/aromas.html

Aromatherapy for Childbirth

Lavender essential oil is the traditional midwife's scent because it clears, uplifts and relaxes. It is very nice- just don't use too much- it has given me a HA when I've used too much. Check out a good aromatherapy book- one popular one even comes with small vials of many oils to try, along with a nice historical and emotive review. I really like orange oil, as it is very refreshing, without being too sweet- many of the scents are nice for moms, but if used alone without a balancing earth scent (like sandalwood, patchouli, bay, etc.) the dads might not enjoy them, as they can be really strong and powerful. From my resources; a recipe for stress relieving bath- geranium, lavender, sandalwood, cardamom, patchouli, and rose (all as essential oils)

Some recipes:

A stimulating bath (maybe for a slowed labor?)- rosemary, clove, lemon, neroli, palma rosa, geranium. A balancing bath- lavender, sandalwood, ylang ylang A relaxing bath- chamomile, mellissa, sandalwood, lavender, geranium, rose. (all from the Complete book of essential oils & aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.) (the following are used intentionally with a thanks to the sources- nice before rituals- these are powerfully evoking baths!- I think they would be wonderful for a labor bath!!) A moon mystery bath magic- (to allow one to be blinded by the light of the moon; aligns one to the pull of her tides both within and without- What is birth if not Her ultimate tide of fruition?)- myrrh, jasmine, sandalwood, lily (Very Nice) Magical Serenity- (for harmony)-sandalwood, lavender, gardenia, chamomile. Magical Purity(allows the pure self to unfold- dispels anxiety and egoism)-bay, clove, pine, sandalwood. A magical power bath- (strengthens focus and will, invokes unbounded courage)- patchouli, mint, orange blossom, cinnamon, frankincense. Magical Renewal- (re-ignites life-force and well-being, for balance and refreshment)-frankincense, bay, honeysuckle, lotus, carnation. Magical Love bath- (inspires reverence, expansive & fiery, celebrates and rekindles love)- magnolia, amber, patchouli, mint, bergamot. Lavender-relaxes both the nervous system and muscular system, encouraging a peaceful disposition. Sandalwood- relaxing, an aphrodisiac Orange- cheerful, uplifting, refreshing. Geranium- sedative, treats nervousness. Clove- a powerful antiseptic, an age old remedy for toothaches, and baby teething pain, sharp and friendly. Bergamot- used to treat depression, a mental stimulant(I used it a lot in nursing school for finals- now I can't stand it ) chamomile- calming, refreshing, treats stress, irritability, depression, migraines, and digestive problems. Blue German chamomile- for skin disorders and discomforts, anti-inflammatory, balancing to the female reproductive system! Roman chamomile- for insomnia, nervous conditions, also balancing to women’s systems.

(All of the above are from little pamphlets and cards I've gathered over time...) Always use by the drop- not glug, patch testing is recommended(on the skin to make sure she doesn't have a sensitive skin-reaction to it)

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Miriad - Midwifery Research Database

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/miru/miriad/s0167.htm

STUDY NUMBER0167 TitleAromatherapy in Childbirth Start date01/06/90 End date01/12/90 ResearchersBlamey C Ashurst H Sapsford C Cecil R Renfrew MJ Burns E Categories Study category Clinical Keywords AROMATHERAPY COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES ESSENTIAL OILS LABOUR Funding Self John Radcliffe Hospital (Employer) Aims of the study To assess the effectiveness of essential oils in labour Ethics committee approval gained No Research design Descriptive - Qualitative and Quantitative - Ethnography Techniques used Records of observation Time data were collected During labour or after delivery Prior to transfer out of delivery suite Testing of any tools used Evaluation sheet piloted Topics covered Which oils were used When, how and why they were used Analgesia Labour outcome Perceptions of effectiveness - mothers’ and midwives’ Adverse effects Setting for data collection Hospital delivery suite Planned size of sample All women using aromatherapy in 6 months Rationale for planned size Total population Inclusions Women in established labour Exclusions Multiple allergies Sample selection Random Actual sample size 585 Response rate 100% Analysis SPSS Results 585 women participated: 384 primigravidae, 201 multigravidae. 880 uses of oils were given. Overall 62.5% women found oil(s) "effective" while 11.6% women found them "ineffective". The remaining 24.9% were ambivalent or declined to record an opinion

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Aromatherapy for Labor and Childbirth - by Francoise Rapp

With all the access we have to information about pregnancy--from websites, to books, to childbirth classes--labor itself remains a mystery in many ways. What we do know is that labor is likely the hardest work a woman will endure in her lifetime. It also holds all the beauty, magic and infinite power of life itself. But it is the unknown that causes most expectant mothers to be scared and apprehensive as the due date nears. More and more women are turning to aromatherapy during their labor to help them cope with the emotional issues facing them. Resources usually divide labor neatly into three phases, but it's important to recognize that each childbirth experience is unique. Depending on your emotional needs, consider incorporating no more than two of the following aromatic blends into your childbirth plan. ********First Stage: Early Phase********During the early phase of labor, contractions begin. While the intensity varies from woman to woman, you will begin to see a pattern in frequency emerging. You should take it easy, relax, take a bath, or even a nap if possible. You may be feeling a little apprehensive, and the following aromatic blend can help you relax your mind and release your fears. In a 10-ml bottle, pour the following essential oils and then add organic vegetable oil to fill:-4 drops Lavender -2 drops Neroli Massage your temples, forehead, chest and solar plexus. Take deep breaths. ********First Stage: Active Phase********During the active phase, contractions become more intense and frequent. It is at this point that your doctors will likely tell you to go to the hospital. The key is to relax in order to gain enough strength for the delivery. A good birth coach is essential to help you with your breathing and relaxation exercises. Try the following aromatherapy blend to bring you peace and harmony. In a 10-ml bottle, pour the following essential oils and then add organic vegetable oil to fill:-6 drops Lavender -1 drop Neroli -1 drop Rose Massage your solar plexus, heart chakra, chest and neck. Inhale the blend deeply while resting. ********First Stage: Transitional Phase********During this phase, contractions will come hard and fast, and symptoms might include shaking, shivering, and nausea. It is important that your birth coach provide you with all the emotional care and attention you need. Once you are done with this phase, you will be fully dilated and ready to begin pushing. You may be feeling scared and exhausted. Inhale the following blend between the contractions to help you endure this phase, and give you an added boost of strength for the delivery. In a 10-ml bottle, pour the following essential oils and then add organic vegetable oil to fill:-4 drops Lavender -4 drops Sage -4 drops Peppermint Massage the lower back, with emphasis on the sacrum. ********Second Stage********Now that your body has prepared itself for childbirth, you're likely feeling relieved that the end is finally in sight. And yet you still have a big job ahead of you. Pushing is an exhaustive process, and during this stage you will use all your reserved energy and strength. Many women feel the desire to give up, as the labor thus far has left them emotionally drained. Inhale the following aromatic blend before you begin pushing to help you to gain the needed courage and emotional strength for this stage. In a 10-ml bottle, pour the following essential oils and then add organic vegetable oil to fill:-4 drops Peppermint-4 drops Rosemary ```````````````````````````````Visit www.aromalchemy.com/aromatherapy/ouroils.html to learn more about the essential oils used in these blends. Check out our Starters Kit for Pregnancy at www.aromalchemy.com/aromatherapy/starterskits.html.``````````````````````````````` In Good Health,Francoise Rappwww.aromalchemy.com This article was originally published by Francoise Rapp in "The Arom'Alchemy Newsletter," a weekly ezine dedicated to healthy mind, body and soul through the use of aromatherapy. Join her for many aromatic moments to come by subscribing at www.aromalchemy.com/education.

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http://www.sageways.com/sageline/0696/child.html

A good resource on the topic is Ayurveda and Aromatherapy, the Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Light Miller, ND & Bryan Miller, DC.

Using Aromatherapy in Childbirth Nursing Times. 90(9):54-60, 1994 Mar 2-8.

Aromatherapy is a movement growth in popularity, but lacking scientific justification in the field of practice, although laboratory experiments are in evidence. Lavender oil is frequently selected for aromatherapy as having antiseptic and healing properties. More specifically, it has been used as a bath additive postnatally to reduce perineal discomfort. A blind randomized clinical trial is described, involving three groups of mothers, one using pure lavender oil, one a synthetic lavender oil and one an inert substance as a bath additive for 10 days following normal childbirth. Analysis of daily discomfort scores revealed no statistically significant difference between groups. It cannot be concluded that current practice results in a reduction of postnatal perineal discomfort at the dilution levels used. However, there is some consistency in results between the 3rd and 5th days, with those women using lavender oil as a bath additive recording lower mean discomfort scores. This is a time when the mother usually finds herself discharged home and perineal discomfort is high. A total of 635 women participated and no side-effects were found. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://natural.child.birth.bizhosting.com/childbirth_and_aromatherapy.html

Using Aromatherapy To Enhance Your Birth Experience

 

Suggested oils for the birthing room

What smells good and comforting to mom?

Test before labor as mom may not care for the "suggested oils."

 

From The Complete Book Of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood:

Rose

 

Uterine relaxant Helps ligaments to soften, enabling the pelvic bones to expand; and to regain elasticity after the birth Natural antiseptic Slight analgesic effect Good cardiac tonic

Neroli

 

Nervous system - benefiting breathing, especially during panting. Calming effect increases oxygen to blood and brain, preventing hyperventilation In low doses has a sedative effect Antiseptic; disinfectant Antidepressant

Lavender

 

Stimulates good circulation Slight analgesic effect Calming Antibiotic; antiseptic, anti-inflammatory Healing of open wounds Use for headaches

Nutmeg

 

Analgesic Calms central nervous system; alleviates anxiety Increases circulation

Clary Sage (Not Sage!)

 

Helps respiratory, muscular and uterine and urinary systems Mild analgesic Facilitates birth Euphoric effect Helps breathing

Geranium

 

Improves circulation Good for uterus Pulls together dilated tissues - excellent for after birth Entire female reproductive system Antidepressant

Christine Turo-ShieldsBirthing Consultant