Aromatherapy before and during childbirth
Essential oils are not just pleasant scents
Unfortunately, essential oils are presented as something that will rid you of all the world's ailments, but they are not omnipotent. However, they can work very well, for example, with the hormonal system and act as uterine tonics and nervous system tonics. Some also effectively suppress morning sickness. Generally, their use is not recommended in the first three months of pregnancy; during this period, it is suitable to use hydrolates. For example, lemon hydrolate to soothe morning sickness, even internally. We generally distinguish essential oils suitable from the third and fifth month and essential oils that are unsuitable during pregnancy but suitable during childbirth.
Why are some essential oils not suitable during pregnancy?
Each essential oil is composed of aromatic molecules that determine how it works in practice. Some of them can cause intoxication of the nervous system, liver, kidneys when dosed incorrectly and without expertise. This is one reason why some kinds are not recommended for pregnant women. Others, which act as phytoestrogens, stimulate uterine activity and support uterine contractions and could cause premature birth or miscarriage with their use. There is only a very limited number of essential oils suitable for pregnant women that practically have only minimal contraindications. In general, even the gentlest essential oils should be approached as potential allergens.
Essential oils against fear of childbirth
Essential oils and hydrolates can be a great means from two months to a month before delivery to help the expectant mother get into a good mood and relieve fear of childbirth. Ideal aromatherapeutic supplements are, for example, rose hydrolate (white, damask). If you want a massage oil suitable against fear of childbirth, you can blend it from mandarin, Bourbon geranium or rose and frankincense. Dosage: 18 drops per 30 ml of carrier oil. 8 drops of mandarin, 6 drops of Bourbon geranium, 5 drops of frankincense. You can buy mandarin pressed from us, so after applying the massage oil, avoid exposing the skin to direct sunlight and preferably use it in the evening hours.
How to support childbirth with essential oils
Essential oils are useful during childbirth mainly for two things: to support hormone release and also to reduce pain. Of course, when choosing them, we must take care to know the mother's contraindications exactly. It is definitely not appropriate to say somewhere at a childbirth class: "Pick a calming essential oil that you like the smell of and bring it," without the healthcare provider knowing whether the mother has problems with blood clotting, epilepsy, asthma, high or low blood pressure. For low-pressure mothers, true lavender is not suitable at all, nor for mothers with blood clotting disorders. Also, mothers with blood clotting disorders cannot use lavandin, lime, marjoram (which can be used during childbirth to reduce pain), clove, or fennel. For haemophilia, sandalwood is not suitable.
High-pressure mothers cannot use rosemary, another warming oil that can be used during childbirth. For epileptics and asthmatics, all types of mint and eucalyptuses are not suitable.
If you do not have the contraindications mentioned above, you can take peppermint hydrolate for refreshment during childbirth; if mint is unsuitable for some reason, rose hydrolates and neroli are excellent to support hormone release. If you want to support uterine contractions and also need something to uplift you, try a blend of essential oils of bergamot, rose or pink geranium and clary sage. The recommended dilution into carrier oil is 2%, meaning 30 drops of the mixture per 50 ml of carrier oil, or 18 drops of the mixture per 30 ml of carrier oil. Dosage for 30 ml: 8 drops of bergamot, 5 drops of Bourbon geranium, 5 drops of clary sage. For 50 ml: 12 drops of bergamot, 10 drops of Bourbon geranium, 8 drops of clary sage. This mixture is suitable for most mothers without specific contraindications, including those who have problems with blood thinning.
Pavlína Klaudová
graduate of the prestigious Tisserand Aromatherapy Institute