Becca, here. I didn't author this post but it's been a popular and helpful one over the years since I published it so I've decided to leave it up. Chances are that, if you are interested in essential oils, you are interested in deepening your connection to the natural world. Plants were the source of medicine for our ancestors and still can be today. It has been my experience that, when we tune into the natural world around us and let our lives flow with the seasons, we feel a deeper sense of belonging in our lives. If this sparks your curiosity, stick with me and click around this site to see what else comes alive for you. This post is by the very knowledgeable Victoria of The Yogi Mami. I'm not yet a mother, but I know many of you are (or are working towards it). So, Victoria is going to share her knowledge of natural child birthing today. It's super interesting! xo, Becca
Birth is an exceptionally beautiful time, but also very intense and often uncomfortable for the expecting mother.
Many women are unfamiliar with natural ways to ease discomfort during childbirth. Essential oils are used by many doulas and midwives to help relieve labor pains and to help labor progress. The benefits of essential oils is that they provide physical, mental, and emotional support to laboring mothers with no synthetic properties, making it a safe option for both mother and baby.
When I was preparing for my second natural childbirth, I knew I wanted to try using essential oils during the labor process to see how they worked.
It was something I considered the first time around but never got around to doing. I had an extremely fast birth and my son arrived within an hour of smelling my homemade oil blend. Coincidence? I wasn’t sure. I have since recommended these blends to prenatal clients of mine who have reported back with stories of speedy, enjoyable labors.
I won’t give 100% credit to the oils alone because both myself, and the women I know directly who used this oil, were also preparing the body with prenatal yoga and relaxation exercises. However, I do think essential oils are helpful in allowing the body to progress naturally and a wonderful tool to pack in a labor bag. This post will share with you some of the best essential oils to use during labor.
You can mix your own blend to include in your labor kit using any carrier oil of choice (coconut, almond, apricot, etc.), or without the carrier oil by adding to a diffuser. The essential oils that help to facilitate labor naturally are:
- Clary Sage is not recommended to use during pregnancy. With that being said, if you are past your due date and the doctor is talking about induction this oil could spur things naturally. You can rub this oil alone, or in a blend, on ankles or abdomen.
- Geranium helps to calm and de-stress the laboring mother helping to create a serene environment. It can be used in the second and third trimester to treat exhaustion, edema, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It is an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and even an anti-depressant. This essential oil is also great to use for perineal massage.
- Jasmine oil is another that should not be used during pregnancy because it can also induce labor by stimulating uterine contractions and also relieve pain. During labor, Jasmine essential oils help to strengthen the contractions in a natural way while also providing comfort to the birthing mother.
- Lavender is helpful in dulling pain in the uterus as well as the back, legs and even headaches. It is also helpful to dull any pains after labor. Lavender is great for keeping mom calm during labor. This oil can also be used with coconut oil to apply to the skin and prevent stretch marks.
- Peppermint oil is said to be effective in helping move babies who are breech or posterior. By rubbing this oil on the top of the abdomen or the lower back it can encourage the baby to turn to an optimal birthing position.
- Rose is great to rejuvenate skin and tissue and also for softening ligaments. It helps the pelvis to expand and open up to allow the baby to pass through and also has cleansing effects on the uterus. This oil is a must have for smaller mamas who are expecting a bigger baby.
- Ylang Ylang increases calmness and relaxation and also helps to lower blood pressure and to slow rapid breathing. This essential oil helps to balance the equilibrium.
Essential oils have benefits beyond pregnancy.
They can be used for just about anything on just about anyone so don’t worry about your oils going to waste. You can use them to increase milk supply, to calm a fussy baby, ease symptoms of colds and congestion, and much more. I have a collection and use them almost daily for different reasons anywhere from making cleaning products, applying to scrapes and even adding a few drops to my kids' baths to calm them down before bedtime.
Did you use essential oils during labor? If so, we would love for you to share your experience!
Victoria Moore is a yoga instructor, Usui Reiki master, and natural health author and blogger. Her passions include empowering women on how to prepare for natural labor, teaching yoga to adults and children and learning about alternative approaches to health and lifestyle. Through her blog, she enjoys connecting with other like-minded people and sharing information about health and wellness, natural parenting, alternative medicine, and organic living.
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This website is an educational and informational resource for anyone interested in my stories and creations. It is not a substitute for working with a physician or psychologist. I cannot guarantee the outcome of following the recommendations provided and my statements about the potential outcome are expressions of opinion only. I make no guarantees about the information and recommendations provided herein. By continuing to use/read/participate in this website/ blog/email series you acknowledge that I cannot guarantee any particular results, as such outcomes are based on subjective factors that are not within my control. Therefore, following any information or recommendations provided on this website/blog/email series are at your own risk. If you need medical advice, you should hire a physician or other professional.
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I am 40+5weeks pregnant, dilated 3cm and have been having very light contractions. My aunt uses and reads up on the essential oils and we found that jasmine oil helps bring on the contractions so I am trying it out but what we can’t figure out is where on my body do I put the oil, how many drops and how often?? I am past ready for my daughter to be here so help, please!
Waiting for my 15th grandbaby to be born, new to essential oils and I am a nurse and just love these alternative, natural options! Awesome, and thank you!
Hi Linda,
You can put a few drops of oils in the bath and relax. You can also rub it on your abdomen and/or lower back too. Hope it helps! Sending you wonderful birthing energy as you get ready to welcome your new baby!
Very nice ideas on this blog. Just one note: the skin on the abdomen and back are nowhere near as permeable as, for example, the skin on the soles of the feet. A foot massage with the selected oils can also provide a great comfort in the stages of labour where touch to the abdomen may not feel welcome or pleasant.
Did I miss the recipe for the blend she said she used with her child? I am 40 weeks with my fifth baby and have had to be induced post 42 weeks with three of my four. Hoping to make sure this baby doesn’t need that and looking at essential oil options.
Thank you for posting this info, I am off to order these now. I am wondering if you can recommend a blend to make and bring with me to the hospital. I am a small woman and going for a VBAC so would like anything I can add to my arsenal to help labor along, relive pain naturally, and ensure that I am as open and relaxed as my body can be during labor. Thanks for any tips you can give!
Hi Rebecca, any of those oils will help but If you can’t get all of them I would recommend Clary Sage, Geranium, Jasmine and Lavender. Sending you beautiful birthing vibes! I also have some great information on mind body techniques that can help in my new book Mindful Mami: Preparing for Pregnancy Labor and Beyond for sale on Amazon now!
What about difussing Jasmine? I am 39 weeks and 1cm dilated 60% effaced
My midwife put a few drops of lavender oil on my pillow when I was laboring and it helped relax me:) now when I smell lavender it relaxes me and reminds me of labor.
Hello! I am due tomorrow and feels like my little man is not ready to arrive yet and it just suddenly dawned to me that i have to prepare these in my bag too. So anyway, do you have any recommedations as to how to blend them for diffusing vs using it with carrier oil for massage? And are there rules on which ones you can and cannot mix together? For example, i saw clary sage and jasmine can help with contractions, can i mix them in a massage oil or diffuser? Im a FTM and planning to deliver naturally, so any info or help on these (i am a big fan of aromatherapy) would really help out…thanks!
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I’m late to this post, but has to share my experience, especially with Rose! My first labor was in a birth center and stalled at 5 cm for about 4 hours of really difficult contractions. I have a tiled cervix (TMI) and baby’s head was so low that it couldn’t line up and dilate normally.My midwife mixed a few oils along with just1 drop of rose and placed it on my cervix. I finished dilating and pushed baby out in just 30 minutes. She said I gained 2 cm in one contraction immediately after application. It saved me from a possible hospital transport and c-section . I’m so grateful for natural medicine! That experience 4 years ago has converted my entire family to essential oils.
Hi Shanna, do you know what oil blend your midwife mixed up and used? I am due here in the next week or so and hoping everything goes smooth. Any help would be appreciated 🙂
Hello Shanna! I am also wondering what blend she used along with rose oil ! thank you!
My labor stalled at 8cm…. my doula could see how tired I was, but I was also in the “zone” and did not want to be messed with. She applied peppermint oil to a cloth and laid if over my shoulder, within 15 minutes Ifelt refreshed, and rejuvenated – simply from the fragrance! I transitioned in one contraction and began pushing!
I am now on the journey to becoming a doula myself and look forward to using oils!
Wish I have used geranium and jasmine in time of my first delivery, but I did not know this magical quality of Essential oils, shall I use any particular blend for my next time? also there are so many brands available in the market, which one shall be more beneficial?
Thank you for posting such a great topic! I always wanted to know the specific funtions of different flavors and now I got the answers. However, I still wonder about the dose, like how many times a day I should use it and how many drops each time are enough. I am looking forward to your replies. Thank you.
Thank you, being a doula this is wonderful!! We use Gentle Birth Formula it is also wonderful. What we have found is that our momma’s become very internal like a kitty cat, aware of their bodies ability to labour and birth. Labour is much much shorter bleeding almost none! Blessings cannot wait to try essential oils!
Any suggestion on oils for after birthing pains? Last time I tried everything I could to ease the pain but nothing seemed to help.
Thank you for the post. I love to use them a lot. I especially love Levender and Peppermint, maybe it is a kind of passion. But I admit feeling relaxed after using and they made me feel energetic and refreshed. Sometimes I use them in my car so that I can caught my beloved scents whenever I get into. Stressful mind and headache have also gone. I even keep my sleep more effective.
i think you forget Lemon oil :v.
What type of shops sell such oils. I really need them. And is it owky to use more than one at once
Check out Mountain Rose Herbs and Amazon!
email me [email protected]
For sure you want the highest quality. Some red flags to look for are 1) expiration dates, genuine essential oils do not expire, if there is one there is something hidden in that bottle. 2) Where are they sourced and how are they tested. Unless the company is overseeing the entire process there is not guarantee. Most companies simply label what someone else has distilled. 3) Transparency of the company-can you visit a farm? Can you visit the distillery? Lab? 3rd party tested?
I read all these comments and not one person has provided a blend solution. This article is great with providing general ideas but not a formula solution to the actually induce.
Does anyone have a formula?
I should try the geranium! It seems that i need it the most!
Plant Therapy carries a roll-on blend that contains pretty much all of these recommended oils. I’m 34 weeks and about to buy some now. Wish me luck 🙂 https://www.planttherapy.com/balance-synergy-for-women?v=87
Did anyone ever get the blend used? I am due with my 2nd child in January,and would like to go all natural with it. Just looking for something to help with that.
My sister is 38 weeks pregnant with her 3rd lost her mucas plug already and having contractions every15 mins would it be safe for her to use the jasmine oil
So glad to read the peppermint tip for breech/transverse babies, my little Rose has been stubbornly transverse for the past month and we have been getting stronger contractions every day. Trying to avoid csection if at all possible. Any other recommendations I could try?
Hi how many drops of rose to help dilate? Where do I place it and do I mix it with something? I’m due any day now but I have no started dilating yet had the same problem with my first pregnancy
Hello,
I am preparing for a VBAC and would like to try some of the EOs you recommend. How is the rose oil used in labor and delivery? Thank you!
Hi, I’ve never used essential oil before. The closest thing I’ve done is use a lavender spray on my pillow to help me sleep.
Do you need to inhale the oil for it to work or is it applied to your body?
Does it matter which part of your body you have to apply to?
I’m due in Feb and I really want to avoid pain medicine so I want to use oils to help me relax and have a natural birth.
Thanks
Agnes
Smelling frankincense oil is perfect when you seem to be loosing focus and the thought of pain is getting to you. It really grounds you and brings your mind back to business, when you feel your thoughts coming apart at the seams, and you feel overwhelmed. Heard about it for my 8th baby, and yes, it really did work wonders.