My Sweet Baby
Many people have been asking me for my essential oils list for pregnancy and labor. My mom put my list on her blog soon after Lilyana was born, but I thought that I should post it here as well. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.
Tiffany’s Essential Oil Birth StashGeraniumLavenderPeppermintLemonClary SageRosewoodCypressFrankincenseBergamotSpikenardThieves BlendValor BlendGentle Baby BlendPeace and Calming BlendDeep Relief (roll on)Harmony BlendSensation BlendClara Derm SprayHome DiffuserCrock PotNinxia Red
Morning Sickness
Ningxia Red, Orange Oil, Lemon Oil, Peppermint Oil, Ginger Oil, and Di-Gize blend
Perineum Care:
Apply to perineum three weeks prior to labor:8 drops Geranium5 drops Lavender1 oz. almond oilMassage into perineum during labor:5 drops Clary Sage2 drops Rosewood1 oz. almond oilStretch and Massage vaginal opening (to avoid tearing) using:4 drops Frankincense or Gentle Baby1 T. olive or almond oilThe Frankincense also helped to alleviate the “burning” feeling that sometimes comes when baby is crowning.Cleansing Perineum After Birth:6 oz. warm water5-10 drops Lavender oilCleanse perineum area with entire contents of the bottle of warm lavender water after each trip to the bathroom. This is very soothing and healing.Swelling or Soreness after Birth:Soak clean wash cloth in water with five drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of geranium oil. Wring out cloth, place in a Ziploc, and refrigerate until well chilled. Apply to sore area for relief.For Hemorrhoids:1 oz. almond oil5 drops geranium oil5 drops lavender oil2 drops cypress oilGently cleanse area, and apply directly to hemorrhoids twice per day, or after each bowel movement.Clara Derm Spray:“Helps relieve a variety of skin irritations, burning and itching, particularly in sensitive female areas. Its gentle spray helps control rashes, candida, etc. Especially suited for the vaginal areas before and after childbirth.” – Essential Oil Desk ReferenceContains: Coconut oil, Myrrh, Tea Tree, Lavender, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Helichrysum.
Moving Things Along:
Clary Sage (Warning: May induce labor. Not for use during pregnancy):Increase and Strengthen Contractions:To increase and strengthen contractions, I applied Clary Sage around the inside of her ankles. Others have applied the essential oil, along with a carrier oil, directly to the abdomen. Some have found that taking one drop of Clary Sage internally in a glass of milk or almond milk every hour or so during labor is very affective for thinning and dilating the cervix. Still others prefer taking a few drops of Clary Sage in a capsule. WARNING: I only use Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils. Lower quality oils may be toxic. Know your product.Align Mom’s HipsApply Valor on spine & hips to align hips during each stage of labor.Breech or Posterior Position:
- Breech: Apply therapeutic grade peppermint oil to top of stomach in the shape of a rainbow
- Posterior: Apply therapeutic grade peppermint oil to lower back. (The midwife could feel the baby turning!)
Pain Management
Uterine Pain:My personal favorite form of pain relief during my labors was this:Keep by the bed, a heated crockpot filled with purified water and a dozen wash cloths. Make sure the water is hot (but not too hot to handle). Place 15-20 drops of lavender in water. Have someone assigned to keeping a steady flow of warm, wrung out, wash cloths to place across your belly during contractions. As soon as it cools, replace with a new cloth.Lavender is very helpful for dulling and easing uterine pain; but, it is also good for relieving back and leg pains too. In addition, it is a balancing and calming oil that can help to relax the body and ease nervousness. It restores emotional balance, and has been said to strengthen contractions.FrankincenseDuring transition, apply Frankincense to abdomen in a carrier oil or on warm washcloth as described above.Back Pain:Frankincense, Valor, Pan Away, or Deep Relief. Apply to sore areas of back, legs, or hips.Headache: Deep Relief is good for stress/tension headaches. Apply to back of neck or temples, but be careful not to get in eyes. Peppermint or lavender may also be good headache relievers.
Emotional Stress/Tension
Bergamot:Apply to forehead and temples, or on location for relaxation.Gentle Baby:Diffuse in room (Tiffany and Ben diffused this during her entire labor and she said it was so soothing and relaxing.)Valor:Rub into shoulders to stay relaxed. Apply to inside and bottom of feet to balance energy flow and calm anxiety.Rosewood, Spikenard, Peace & Calming, Sensation, Sacred Mountain:Diffuse directly into air for a calming atmosphere. Dilute with carrier oil and massage to relieve nervous tension, or use in bath to relieve stress or panic.
To Alleviate Nausea during labor:
Peppermint:Put one drop on tongue to alleviate nausea.Rosewood:Inhale in a compress to alleviate nausea.
Miscellaneous Aches and Pains of Childbirth and Postpartum:
DizzinessIf feeling light-headed, dizzy, or like you’re going to pass-out:Peppermint:Apply to chest and behind the ears. Hold bottle close to your nose and inhale slowly.Stalled Bladder:If having a hard time urinating after labor:Peppermint:Put a few drops in the toilet.Chills:Thieves:Diffuse into air. This also cleanses the air.After PainsAfter labor, apply a warm, wet washcloth with a few drops of Frankincense and lavender on it to the abdomen.Stretch Marks – Gentle Baby mixed with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex (or coconut oil)Difficulty Sleeping - Peace and Calming, Harmony, Sensation, or Lavender diffused into the air. Also a drop or two of lavender on the blankets or sheets make for a peaceful sleep for mommy and baby (test fabric first).
