After giving birth to two little boys, my wife’s fear of going into labor has diminished somewhat. However, I completely understand the anxiety that comes with every expected laboring experience. After all, no matter how much you love your little ones, labor is not exactly the most pleasant experience.
Every woman has a different experience with labor with each of her kids. But, the similarity in the stages cuts across all women of all ethnicity worldwide. There are 3 main stages in pregnancies:
- Pre-labor
- Active labor
- Transition stage
Pre-labor also is known as early labor is the stage when the contractions are subtle but building up. At this point, you can clean, cook and even finish your knitting somewhat comfortably. My wife made the best pot roast ever during the early labor with our second son.
Some women get frustrated at this point wanting the active labor stage to kick in and have the baby already. Your doctor or doula will advise you accordingly if you really want to progress in your labor.
The best and safest way to move the process along is with essential oils to induce labor.
Essential oils are a basic and natural way to combat labor pain and induce labor if necessary. They are easy to implement and are generally safe but must always be used after consultation with your OB/GYN.
Get ready though because they are extremely effective.
Contents
- What is induction of labor?
- Essential oils for labor and birth
- Which essential oils are good for inducing labor?
- How to use essential oils to induce labor?
- Which essential oils to diffuse during labor?
- Benefits of using essential oils for inducing labor
- Things to consider when using essential oils for labor induction
- Conclusion
What is induction of labor?
Inducing labor can be voluntary or a medical decision. If it is medically recommended you may not have the option of choosing the method of induction.
We recommend that you talk to your OB/GYN during your antenatal clinic about the option of using essential oils in case you need to be medically induced.
Induction of labor is the process of artificially bringing on the birthing process. Essential oils are a great option when you are dealing with elective induction.
Elective induction has gained popularity over the years because in low-risk pregnancies it is a logical strategy.
It is definitely the way to go if you live far from a hospital or have extenuating circumstances coming up that may affect your delivery.
It is important to note that in the case of the following life-threatening conditions it is better to go with the doctor’s recommendation:
- Pre-eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Any type of bleeding during pregnancy
- If the baby is in distress
- The amniotic sac has ruptured
- You are overdue
- There is an infection in the uterus
Essential oils for labor and birth
Essential oils will do for you during labor what modern medicine has failed to do consistently since time in memorial:
- Soothe you
- Energize you
- Focus you
- Calm you
- Relax you
Modern medicine will effectively alleviate pain but does nothing for relaxing you or helping you to feel energized. During labor, you expend a lot of energy which can leave you drained and without the oomph to push.
Using essential oils allows you to naturally remain in the process with less discomfort. You must ensure that the oils you are using are therapeutic grade and completely pure. It is also recommended to have a doula, midwife or other childbirth experts nearby even as you induce to keep you and your baby safe.
Labor is unpredictable and it doesn’t hurt to have a predictable partner in essential oils to help you achieve those feelings of calmness, relaxation and invigoration that you know for sure they will impact on you at this time. These oils can give you a semblance of control in a highly volatile situation.
After birth, essential oils can also help you ease back into your normal routine and take the edge off the after emotions.
With issues like postpartum depression being a major concern, essential oils have become essential to the well being of new moms and even help them get fitter faster.
Which essential oils are good for inducing labor?
1. Lavender oil
Lavender oil is well known for its relaxation and calming qualities. When you are relaxed the process of labor actually comes along faster. Lavender oil can effectively reduce the length of labor in each of the stages with only 2 drops of lavender oil being used with a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil.
You can use the oil in the final stages your third trimester (after consent from your doctor) to calm you and alleviate feelings of anxiety and to set the stage.
Favorite qualities
- Speeds up contractions
- Helps relax muscles
- Helps to alleviate pain
- It has a mild scent
What we don’t like?
- It can burn if used neat
- It can cause nausea if used too much
Verdict
Every woman wants some comfort during labor and the best way to achieve that is by calming and relaxing them. Lavender oil allows the body to release tension that prolongs labor effectively shortening an otherwise agonizing process.
2. Clary Sage oil
Clary sage oil has been used in childbirth to alleviate pain naturally. It is only used during the induction process and not during the actual pregnancy.
It pushes things along naturally by encouraging contractions since it relieves the natural muscle tension that comes with labor. If the contractions become too intense you can reduce the application and now let nature take its course.
Favorite qualities
- Relieve muscular tension
- Works fast and effectively
- It provides pain relief
- It doesn’t have an overpowering scent
What we don’t like?
- It must only be used for induction
- It cannot be used neat
Verdict
Labor is one of the processes a woman wants to go by fast and clary sage ensures that happens.
However, unless you are ready to have the baby, do not use it. You can apply it topically or inhale to start the induction process. Since it is fast working it is best to be near your doctor and only use it after they have consented to it.
3. Jasmine oil
Favorite qualities
- Provides pain relief
- Works fast and effectively
- It has a sweet alluring smell
- It can be used postpartum as well
What we don’t like?
- It must only be used for induction
- The sweet smell can be irritating for some women
- It cannot be used neat
Verdict
Apart from imparting a lovely fragrance jasmine oil works really fast and should be used when you are very ready to have the baby.
It quickly starts and moves the process along so we recommend stopping once the contractions begin to intensify.
4. Rose oil
Favorite qualities
- Alleviates pain
- Relaxes muscles fast
- Works quickly and effectively
- It has a sweet alluring smell
- Speeds up the contractions along
What we don’t like?
- The sweet smell can be irritating for some women
- It cannot be used neat
Verdict
Rose oil can be applied during the third trimester after consultation with your doctor to begin the labor process.
It is safe and gentle so it brings on the labor naturally and at a speed that you can easily contend with.
5. Evening Primrose oil
Evening primrose oil does not necessarily induce labor. It works on ripening your cervix. If the cervix is not ripe the body will not respond to any induction methods.
Once the process of labor is going on the oil can help to shorten the contractions and speed the process along because of the linoleic acid present in the oil.
Favorite qualities
- Helps speed up contractions
- Relaxes muscles
- Helps with effacing the cervix before induction begins
- It can be used postpartum
What we don’t like?
- It can thin out blood
- It can cause headaches or stomach upsets during the process
Verdict
Considering the potential side effects of the oil during the labor process, it is best to use it in a blend so that the other essential oils can counter its effects immediately.
It is, however, a powerful essential oil that can get you over the first hump of effacing quickly.
6. Frankincense oil
Frankincense oil has intense calming properties that come in handy to relax the muscles. Relaxed muscles allow labor to progress naturally and faster.
It also helps relieve pain and prevent tearing of the perineum once the transition stage is underway. You can count on it relieving pain during the process.
Favorite qualities
- Helps speed up contractions
- Relaxes muscles
- Helps relieve pain
- Strengthens the perineum
What we don’t like?
- It should not be used neat
Verdict
Frankincense has been used for years to help in childbirth. It is very popular in Mediterranean cultures for nursing new mothers back to health. It is effective yet gentle and safe.
7. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is perfect for alleviate pain in most situations so it makes sense that it features prominently in the induced labor process. It will bring quick relief whether topically applied or inhaled. It also alleviates nausea that comes with laboring.
The minty smell of peppermint helps in re-energizing and focusing you on the process of delivery.
Favorite qualities
- Provides pain relief
- Relaxes muscles
- Alleviates nausea
- It can even turn the baby into delivery position
- It can be used postpartum
What we don’t like?
- The scent can be overpowering for some people
Verdict
Peppermint oil will invigorate you especially considering your body is going through the labor process fast. Just a drop can make you feel uplifted and refreshed.
8. Geranium oil
Geranium oil quickly alleviates pain and discomfort making it an ideal oil to use when in the throes of labor. The oil relaxes the taut muscles that cause you to have a prolonged and agonizing labor.
It is has a nutty, earthy scent which some people find comforting.
Favorite qualities
- Provides pain relief
- Relaxes muscles
- Alleviates nausea
- It re-energizes you
What we don’t like?
- The scent can be uncomfortable for some people
Verdict
Geranium oil is highly effective and works very fast during the induction process. Use it sparingly because just a little will go a long way.
How to use essential oils to induce labor?
Blend 1
Ingredients
- Shea butter
- 2 drops of lavender oil
- 1 drop of chamomile oil
Mix the oils and apply in the morning and evening to keep you calm and relax your muscles. The lavender oil and chamomile oil allow you to relieve anxiety which increases pain exponentially.
Blend 2
Ingredients
Mix the sweet almond, rose and clary sage oil together before adding the vanilla oil. Once everything is blended in well apply on your belly to naturally stimulate contractions. The combination of the scent is divine.
Blend 3
Ingredients
Mix all the oils and apply the blend all over your body to combat pain. Labor takes a toll on all parts of your body leaving you with aches and pains.
This blend will help you beat the pain and keep you comfortable.
Which essential oils to diffuse during labor?
Some essential oils fare better than others in the diffusers. However, during the labor process, you can use the following oils comfortably in a diffuser to harness much-needed relaxation, calming and invigorating qualities:
Benefits of using essential oils for inducing labor
They are natural
Essential oils are naturally occurring so you can be sure that if you use therapeutic grade essential oils you will be getting the essence of the plant. Always make sure the oils are 100% pure by checking the ingredients on the label. Pure oils will only have one ingredient: the essential oil.
They are easy to use
With essential oils, there is no IVs or injectibles. They can be applied topically or inhaled making them easy to dispense and use even when you are on your own.
They are easily available
Finding quality therapeutic grade essential oils is easy due to multiple online options. You can buy these oils easily from online stores or better still you can find a lot of information on the products and producers before you invest in them.
They are convenient
Labor-inducing essential oils can partake wherever you are. Even if you are still working or tying up loose ends before you give birth you can apply the oils whenever you would like to and start preparing for the labor and delivery process.
Things to consider when using essential oils for labor induction
- Do not apply the oils in their neat form. Instead, dilute the oils in carrier oils to prevent burning or irritating the skin
- Always try the oils on a small patch of your skin before using extensively
- Before using any oils you must consult your OB/GYN and get their consent
- Apply the oils after 39 weeks and when you begin to apply them formulate a plan to get you to a health care facility fast
- Ensure everyone involved in the childbirth process knows which essential oils you are using
Conclusion
The process of labor is life changing. Sometimes when the experience is too hard some women do not want to have more children.
Essential oils take the edge off and allow you to feel better about the process. Even as they induce the labor they also relax you and help you cope with the pain.
Enjoy some of these oils and do further research on which oils you would like to go with during this time.
Image credits: Pixabay.com, Unsplash.com and Amazon.com
For blend 2 what ratio should be used?
Hello Kristen,
You can use all mentioned oils in equal dose. Try with 2 drops of each.
What about the use of Dragon Time E.O. which combines Fennel, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Lavender, Blue Yarrow, and Jasmine? Do you recommend this blend or use the individual oils to assist in labor
Hello Debbie,
You can use Dragon Time as well. All of essential oils in this blend can calm you and sooth you, making Dragon Time good choice for this purpose.
My idea during writing this article was to give you ideas for making your own blends, but sure you can use pre-made blends. Be aware that they are often more expensive than single oil packages.