Can essential oils be used to promote childbirth? What are their virtues and in what forms should they be used? The point with the liberal midwife Dominique Aygun.
If it is better to avoid certain essential oils during pregnancy and in general the first 3 months, as they could be harmful to the foetus, “you can use certain essential oils to give birth”, assures the liberal midwife Dominique Aygun. She then recommends essential oils called “uterotonics”that is to say which go promote the onset of contractions. “In general, in the long term, we use essential oils such as clovethe gingerthe cinnamon and the palmarosa“, she says. To make sure to use a Essential oil safe and at the right dosage, it is advisable to take advice from a doctor or an aromatherapist midwife beforehand.
Essential oils during childbirth: what precautions?
The midwife invites you to use them diluted in vegetable oil (simply olive oil if you want), because “some are skin irritantsespecially cinnamon, so you have to be very careful”. However, diluting them with vegetable oil will help limit the risk of skin irritation. Be careful, she reminds, “we never apply essential oils to the mucous membranes or else, in an exceptional way and in a very precise framework”.
Similarly, it advises against taking oil baths. “Taking an essential oil bath would be too irritating, specifically for the mucous membranes and we have less control over the quantity that will penetrate the skin”. Instead, she suggests focusing on very small and localized areas when applying these oils. in the form of massage. For example, for promote the onset of laboryou can put a few drops of our mixture in the palm of your hand and use it to massage yourself the lower back or/and the lower abdomen. Another alternative: use essential oils in smell, that is, by inhaling their bottle to get the smell, because they also have a psycho-emotional effect. In effect, “the centers of olfaction being located just behind the nasal cavities, by breathing an essential oil, this will directly activate areas of the brain. They will thus allow focus on relaxation and letting go and in fact secrete oxytocin, a hormone activated when contractions come of work”explains the midwife.
Childbirth and essential oils: what dosage?
Essential oils applied to the skin
When they are applied directly to the skin, in the form of massages, Dominique Aygun advises not to exceed the ratio of 5% essential oil compared to the amount of vegetable oil used. Concretely, 1 ml of oil corresponding approximately to 20 drops of oil, we will put 5 drops of essential oil for 100 drops of vegetable oil. On the frequency side, “it is better to limit oneself to 3 to 4 daily applications. The ideal is not to exceed 6 drops of pure essential oils (not diluted in another vegetable oil) per day”, she indicates.
Essential oils in olfaction
Used in olfaction, they can be inspired on demandbecause the essential oils favoring childbirth (mentioned above) have no toxic effect.
Can we replace the epidural with essential oils?
If they have virtues, “Essential oils cannot however replace the effects of the epidural”reports the midwife. “We can use them to relax, but It won’t ease the pain of childbirth.”. On the other hand, they can encourage letting go. It is therefore quite possible to use them in addition. In this case, rather in olfaction. “All citrus-based essential oils in general are extremely favorable for relaxation (sweet orange, mandarin, etc.) as well as true lavender (or officinal lavender)”, she reveals.
Can we put an essential oil diffuser in the birth room?
Rest assured, it is quite possible to install an essential oil diffuser in the delivery roomregardless of the clinic or hospital chosen. “You can put a few drops on a small diffuser pebble placed in the room, for example, or even simply on a handkerchief”proposes Dominique Aygun.
Which essential oils for a harmonious childbirth?
Other essential oils can also promote a smooth birth. For example, “Bigarade Petitgrain oil which really contributes to relaxation thanks to its soothing effect on the nervous system”, details the midwife. “Orange Blossom, in addition to its relaxing effect, has restorative virtues on an emotional and physical level. It will therefore allow the future mother to feel good”, she says again. It is also indicated for postpartum. Similarly, if you feel depressed after giving birth, she suggests inhaling rosehip or orange blossom for their soothing (particularly on mood) and healing effects. Another option: clary sage which has a beneficial euphoric effect in case of baby blues. Finally, we can also use essential oils as sweet fennel, in the context of breastfeeding to promote lactation. In this case, it can be ingested by putting a small drop under the tongue (no more than 3 to 4 times a day for a maximum of ten days).
Which essential oils in case of episiotomy?
In case of’episiotomy, “there are essential oils that can help with wound healingparticularly lavender which has a local antiseptic and healing effect”notes Dominique Aygun. “We could use it diluted directly on the scar, especially since it is an oil that is absolutely not irritating”she says. His advice: mix it in calophylum oil with also disinfecting and healing qualities and apply it morning and evening until healing (usually a week).