Essential Oils in Labour

 Image source: doterra.com/au/

PEPPERMINT: This is great for when a mother is feeling nauseous, it is important to find an oil that can be ingested in this case because a drop under the tongue can work wonders, if you cannot find an oil that can be ingested then a spritz around the room will also be helpful.
It can also help pain in the back during labour by gently massaging the lower back.
Use with caution though as some people have reported a link to using peppermint oil and a lack of milk production though it never caused issues for me I cannot guarantee it for you.

NEROLI: Fantastic for use when mum is anxious or feeling fear, it can restore spirits is very calming and relaxing, it can be expensive however.

CLARY SAGE: If labour stalls or is going slow rubbing Clary sage into the ankles every 30-60 minutes can help speed things up.
Clary sage mixed with some rose oil can also be helpful during contractions to keep things natural if a drug free birth is desired, inhaling as a contraction starts and again after the contraction.

LAVENDER: A great relaxant, 3 drops with a tablespoon of milk in a bath before heading to the hospital has been beneficial for many mothers. Always take caution when using oils in a bath however because there is a chance on the oils reaching the baby, it is suggested by midwives to only do this before your waters break.
Lavender can also stimulate contractions and mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil is great for massage.

GERANIUM: This is another great one to spritz around the room, not only does it help balance emotions but it covers up any hospital smells that maybe causing anxiety or distress. Also it helps improve circulation to areas where it is rubbed.

BASIL: Another fantastic oil. Basil can help with discomfort in labour particularly back pain. Also during transition where many women feel they can no longer go on or hit that brick wall so to speak Basil is perfect diluted and rubbed onto the temples and even the belly to ease the mother and help her reconnect with her inner strength.

BLACK PEPPER OIL: Another oil that is great for discomfort in the back, mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and massaged into the skin.

There are many more oils that can be helpful but so far these are the ones I am familiar with.

A friend introduced me to a massage blend that helped her in labour, here is what you need:
30mls carrier oil
2 drops neroli (or 3 drops petitgrain)
2 drops frankincense
3 drops lavender
1 drop bergamot

This was my favourite room spritz during my labours
 Lavender essential oil
Clary sage essential oil
Rose geranium essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Frankincense essential oil
A few drops of each mixed in a bottle with purified water to spritz around the room.
The oils in this are known to relieve nausea and tension and also give a burst of energy, promote contractions and help focus mother.

 **Disclaimer** I am not a qualified aromatherapist, I am however enrolled in an aromatherapy for pregnancy and infancy course but as yet have not began my training. When I have finished my studies I will be able to add more to this from a professional stand point rather than a personal one.

Why independent childbirth education classes are better for your birth

The chances are you're looking at this because you or someone close to you are pregnant, congratulations! Bringing a new baby into the world also brings many emotions. Lots of decisions, to breastfeed or formula feed? Circumcise or not? Let me help you make one decision. 

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

A common reason people opt for the hospital run childbirth education classes is the cost difference. On average private hospitals classes are $200 a little cheaper if you are booked to birth there too, public hospitals are cheaper again, some even free of charge or very minimal cost. So why pay more? A childbirth educator depends on classes to put food on the table (many also have additional qualifications like as a birth doula and/or breastfeeding counsellor or more), an independent educator depends on a great class, she needs that word of mouth to survive. Birthing is her passion.

Hospital based childbirth education classes are ran by midwives many of whom don't want to do the childbirth education classes (it is often referred to as the short straw amongst my midwife friends)

THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION

Hospital based childbirth education classes can be vague compared to independent classes. Hospital classes tend to be biased towards medical interventions and medicated pain relief as opposed to natural methods. I recently heard from a birth client who attended her local hospitals childbirth education classes wanting to learn more about breathing during labour only to be told due to hospital policy they were no longer allowed to teach this. To me this is absurd, breathing can have a very powerful effect on labour. Many have also stated that hospital run classes are overwhelming as many go for 5-6 hours at a time over 3 sessions, independent classes tend to be 2-3 hours over 5-6 sessions. 

FLEXIBILITY 

Many independent childbirth educators also offer private or couples sessions, many can even set up additional group classes depending on demand, hospital times and dates are firm. 

UNBIASED INFORMATION

I briefly mentioned this before but I want elaborate here. Hospital information revolves around policies and restrictions. Time frames and let's be honest scare tactics. Extremely rarely will you find a hospital based childbirth education class willing to discuss homebirth. 

Hospitals focus so much on what they know and that is medicine, the information and DVDs even the pamphlets handed out are about epidurals and cesarean sections. Birth is natural, as medicine has progressed we have made birth a medical process rather than a natural one. Some parents choose to go down that path and that is absolutely fine, it's your birth, it's your choice. Hospital run classes leave us feeling like our choices are restricted or don't provide the information to allow us to learn about natural methods.

This is only a snippet about the benefits of an independent run class. As a trainee childbirth educator I do not feel I can provide all the information just yet only what I have learnt and experienced so far.

Not many people are even aware that there are independent educators out there, it's time to spread the word! Everybody deserves a better birth.