Essential Oils for Labor
I have used essential oils at births since becoming a doula in 2007. At first, the idea of using essential oils overwhelmed me and I didn’t know where to start! I quickly learned that using essential oils for labor can be very basic, easy to implement and has great results.
CAUTION: Do not directly apply essential oils to your skin unless you are working under the care of an aromatherapist. Essential oils are very potent and should be treated as such.
As a rule of thumb, I only use essential oils aromatically with doula clients. I also always obtain consent from the woman who will be inhaling the oils.
3 {must have} Essential Oils for Labor
The following three basic oils should be in every hospital bag, homebirth kit or doula bag. They are inexpensive, work great and are a good starting point for someone new to essential oils.
Lavender is my favorite essential oil. It smells fantastic and calms me when I’m feeling stressed. Just the smell of it helps me to remember to breathe deep.
For births, my favorite way to use lavender is in a diffuser. Depending on mom’s needs and the size of the space we are in I might put 2-5 drops of the essential oil in the diffuser.
While I have the lavender out I often notice nurses, midwives and OBGYN’s walk through the hospital room door, breathe deep and comment on how great the room smells. I really think lavender calms the entire birth team!
Lemon is my most used essential oil in my doula bag. If a doula client (ahem… or me) is feeling nauseous or throwing up, I pull out the lemon oil.
An easy way to use lemon is to put a few drops on the cap and have the laboring mom hold it on her own. When she wants to smell it she can, but doesn’t have to worry about spilling the whole bottle. The same thing can be done by placing a few drops on a cotton ball.
One time I thought a dad was going to lose it. There were certain smells wafting in the air. I quickly shoved the bottle in his hand and told him to smell it. Yup, the lemon essential oil saved his rear end. He was able to not puke AND stay by his woman’s side.
Peppermint essential oil is another great oil to have on hand. I don’t use it at every birth like I do with lemon, but it definitely has its place.
Peppermint has a cooling effect, so it can be great when mom is hot, sweaty and tired… during PUSHING!
Also, placing a few drops in the toilet immediately postpartum can help a mom to urinate if she is having trouble using the bathroom. How cool is that?
Where to Buy
Lately, I have been very happy with Plant Therapy’s essential oils. I like the products and I also like that I can buy them from Amazon. Great quality and you can’t beat the prices.
In fact, I buy the majority of my herbs, beeswax and other related supplies from Amazon as well. I love that I can get high quality, organic essential oils at a great price, delivered to my doorstep. Getting a shipment from them is a very happy day indeed.
Other Oils
If you’re looking for more options other than the 3 Essential Birth Oils, this list is for you.
Wild orange smells like the most amazing orange that ever existed.
My favorite way to use this is in a diffuser mixed with lavender. I use 2-3 drops of lavender and 4-5 drops of wild orange. Heaven!
Many find clary sage to be helpful to make contractions stronger. A doula client once used it as part of her induction. All she did was uncap it, sniff and her contractions would get stronger. Any time she felt her labor weakening, she did it again with great results. It was shocking!
During my most recent birth I tried it too, smelling it out of the bottle and in my diffuser with lavender. It didn’t work. The moral of the story is… your mileage may vary.
Plant Therapy has created many wonderful smelling therapeutic blends. Look for blends that are calming, but also look for ones that promise energy.
The needs of birth are often unpredictable so having a stash of both will prepare you for the unknown.
Tips and Tricks
- Essential oils can be used as soon as a mother notices signs of labor.
- Get an “OK” from a mom before birth about particular scents. A doula client of mine specifically told me she did not like lavender and peppermint at our prenatal meeting. I was happy to know this information!
- Don’t put essential oils directly in the tub a mom is laboring in. If she decides she doesn’t like the smell in the water fixing it will be hard! Imagine having to drain the entire tub just to get rid of the smell? What a nightmare. Use a cotton ball instead. If she doesn’t like the smell you can just toss those in the trash or take it completely out of the room.
- Aromatherapy washcloths can be made by taking a washcloth, wetting it with cold water and placing one drop of an essential oil on it. Fold it in half so the oil doesn’t get on the skin and place it on the forehead, face, neck or back. Peppermint is a great oil to use for this. I bet she’ll love it!
- Put a drop of any essential oil you love on the collar of your shirt. Sniff it at any moment you feel nauseated because of any “birth smells” wafting in the air.
- Before being wheeled to the operating room for a cesarean birth, place a cotton ball with a drop or two of mom’s favorite essential oil right by her head. Her head is in the non-sterile field so leaving a cotton ball there is perfectly OK. The OR can have unwelcome smells (antiseptic, cauterized skin, etc.) and the essential oil helps combat these unpleasant sensations while simultaneously providing a therapeutic benefit at birth.
Diffusers
Diffusers are an easy way to distribute essential oils aromatically without using an open flame. Most hospitals and birth centers do not allow candles so this is a fantastic alternative.
The diffuser I bring to births can be found here on Amazon. It is small, lightweight and very portable.
Ready to get started?
If you are ready to dig deeper with essential oils head on over to Amazon to buy… you guessed it! Lemon, lavender and peppermint essential oils.
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Kristin says
Every one of these oils is not safe for children under two, and it isn’t safe to use oils during pregnancy or labor, especially around newborns!
Lindsey Morrow says
I respectfully disagree! The only essential oil that is contraindicated for pregnancy is peppermint, and the other two are some of the safest essential oils on the market. Diluted on the skin or used aromatically lavender, lemon and orange are safe for pregnancy. Peppermint, on the other hand, can absolutely be used for a short time period, for a specific reason like dizziness, fainting or help while pushing. I do agree with you, however, about newborns and babies. But this post isn’t about using essential oils with babies. ♥
Beth says
I used lavender oil in a diffuser for my newborn/toddler with no problems to help him sleep. His bath wash and lotions are also made up of all natural oils, such as lavender and tea tree. I also use peppermint oil on a regular basis when he is congested or suffering from allergies that result in late night coughing. A little peppermint oil behind his ears or on the soles of his feet always seems to work to alleviate any congestion, and it was recommended by our integrative medicine pediatrician (he’s not yet 2).
Thank you for the recommendation on a battery-powered diffuser to bring to the hospital. I will be purchasing it for my second labor and delivery!
Joneen Flemings says
That is not accurate according to many people’s experiences. I personally find it hard to believe diffusing lavender is worsethan the scent of betadine.
Laurae says
Show me the evidence that they are unsafe in pregnancy and labor
Nancy Sander says
The first and only smell you want your baby to notice when born is mom and family. Nice article for selling products but really all this is a distraction during labor. Dad, grandparents and others coming into the room performing duties on behalf of mom and baby may not be able to tolerate the scents and therefore a good reason not to use them.
Lindsey Morrow says
I say if it’s working for the laboring mom, she should use it. And we shouldn’t cater to “birth visitors”… and honestly I’ve never used so much of an essential oil that it was permeating the room. I think the baby will still smell its mom.
Shannondoah dartsh says
I agree with Lindsay. I’ve been a Doula, now a Montrice for about 13 years and have worked with essential oils over 25 years,. I started learning about oils as a massage therapist. If you are using a conservative amount with the oils that she has stated in this blog the baby will be just fine. I’ve. Been using essential oils at birth since my very first birth that I attended, in a very similar manner to what Lindsey suggested and I have had positive outcomes and never one issue with babies.
I am not concerned with family members as much, my focus is on mom, but if it is too much you can have them smell lemon or coffee beans if they prefer and they’ll be fine. They can also step out and advocate for themselves , I’m sure that would be respected. I always have my moms smell oils before labor or EDD and we decide ahead of time what she likes and if anything bothers her we take it away.
Lindsey also stated nothing ion the skin multiple times, it won’t irritate baby that way and you can always turn the diffuser off right after birth if you are worried baby is at risk. I like Lavender for soothing the room and that’s a very gentle oil.
I love the information that you are sharing Lindsey, if moms can’t bring a doula (especially now) or doula doesn’t have essential oil knowledge, these 3 are a good starting point.
Lindsey VanAlstyne says
Thanks, Shannondoah! I appreciate your feedback. Best wishes. ~Lindsey
Hannah says
I’ve found this info great, I’m trying to decide which oils to bring along with me as I don’t want to fill a tabletop with my options! I love essential oils and can’t wait to implement them into my labour and birth.
I can say that I’m honestly surprised at some of the other comments and can only assume they haven’t done much research… once again thanks for the helpful info!
Emily says
Thank you for the great info. I used lavender through all three of my labours and found it so supportive. I wish I’d known more about essential oils as I’m just discovering their power and how they can help me and my family in so many ways,
Lindsey Morrow says
You’re welcome! Lavender is my favorite.
nikita87 says
I don’t agree, look at
http://roberttisserand.com/2010/04/is-clary-sage-oil-estrogenic/
Best regards, Nikita
Shannon says
Thank you for this info on Essential Oils!! I love all 3 of these! I have a research book that has information on every kind of essential oil you can think of and there is not one thing in there that says,
these oils are bad for newborns, toddlers, kids, pregnancy, or laboring women . All the people with the negative comments need to go and talk to someone who knows EVERYTHING about Essential Oils and than should comment. If these people dont agree with this information, than no need for comments. Thank you again for this information on Essential Oils!!!
eau says
As a pregnant woman, I’d suggest buying the scents that calm you embodied in a bar of soap. Never too strong for others, doesn’t dissipate, easy to hold, color-coded! I’m having fun picking out a few of my favorites – piñon, lemon, maybe almond milk, and some type of mint blend – to have on hand during my hospital labor. Having labored at home last time, I’m keenly aware that being in a healthcare environment may bring smells outside my control, and I want to be ready. I’d welcome any other scent suggestions, intrigued to hear that the conifer might help strengthen contractions!
Meaghan says
NO peppermint!!!! Totally reduces milk supply!!!
Lindsey says
IMO using peppermint aromatically here and there during labor won’t reduce milk supply postpartum.
Jen says
You should check our New Directions Aromatics for your essential oils! They are a fantastic quality and at wholesale prices. I used to buy on Amazon, but now buy most stuff from them. I understand you’re an affiliate so definitely keep with your links, but in general – NDA is more often than not a way better deal!!!
Ashley says
Great info, thanks!
Preparing for my 3rd homebirth and would love to incorporate EOs. I find aromatherapy very healing and think your suggestions are great!
OBAC says
I work in L&D and generally I don’t mind essential oils. However, sometimes users don’t use moderation. As pointed out, the locality is important. A woman’s choice of essential oils should not be so strong as to leave the patients room. The nurses station should not be smelling your oils-then you are exposing all kinds of others to things that might not be good for them.