With 5 weeks to go until the due date of my 6th child, I’m all in “nesting mode”! Since I’m planning a home birth (my first 3 were in the hospital, my last two at home) with a licensed and highly trained midwife and team, part of my “nesting” includes pulling together supplies for the birth itself.
This will be the first birth in which I use essential oils therapeutically. In the past, I was just not aware of how powerful oils could be, so they did not figure into my birth plan. There is a wide range of purity and potency of oils; I will write about this sometime, but for now, know that I only recommend Young Living Essential Oils.
So after much information gathering, here is my current plan (subject to revision…I still have 5 weeks!). 🙂
Pregnancy: it’s important to recognize the power of oils; some oils used during labor are contraindicated during pregnancy, because their use is for supporting labor contractions, cervical dilation, and reducing pain sensation (through numbing or reducing fear/stress). Therefore, I will place an asterisk * after oils which I am avoiding touching/absorbing during pregnancy.
I am currently drinking daily a pregnancy tea with a base of Red Raspberry herb. This was blended for me by my sweet friend, Cara Lee, following the recipe on The Bulk Herb Store plus yellow dock. This is intended to tone the uterus in preparation for birth, without initiating labor.
I am also massaging my belly with almond oil, and 2 drops Gentle Baby. I add a little Idaho Balsam Fir because I love the layered scent! Its makes me feel calm…and French and expensive. 😉
Perineum Stretching
Because I have done perineum stretching using olive oil prior to birth, I have not had tearing of my perineum with any of my previous births (my largest baby was 9.6 lb). I am planning to do the same in the two weeks prior to my due date, but this time to include each time:
1 drop Gentle Baby
Once Labor Has Begun
Labor Oil Blend
I will use this topically on low belly, inside of ankles, and low back, starting with a few drops, increasing each hour if necessary.
8 drops helichrysum
6 drops copaiba
16 drops SclarEssence* (Clary Sage*, Peppermint, Spanish Sage*, Fennel*)10 drops ylang ylang
in an equal part base of almond oil
“Morphine Bomb”
This blend does not have any morphine in it, but taken in a capsule it has been known to give significant pain relief. I plan to use this early in my labor, before nausea may set in.
5 drops Copaiba
5 drops Frankincense
5 drops Idaho Balsam Firin a veggie capsule, ingested
Back Pain
Pan Away, pain relieving oil blend
(And of course, counter pressure from my husband. He’ll need PanAway on his arm muscles later…) 🙂
Nausea
Inhalation of:
Lemon or Peppermint
Energy Boost
I have a history of long labors, so I often eat some through the first part (can be days), but when it gets intense I don’t feel like eating. This can be hours, so I have 1 bottle (25 oz) of Ningxia Red juice from Young Living…it’s a natural energy drink (among its other uses) made with wolfberries and EOs, and the normal serving size is 1-2 oz. So that should get me through!
Baby
After our baby is born, I plan to use on his umbilicus (belly button)/cord:
1 drop Myrrh
On his back, feet, perhaps head:
1-3 drops Frankincense
Following Birth
For cramping:
tincture of Cramp Bark
tincture of St. Johns Wart
Morphine Bomb as needed
PanAway on lower belly as needed
Nursing
I plan to use this as needed to increase milk supply:1 drop Fennel under tongue
Note: I am not a doctor, and my birthplan does not constitute advice for your situation. I am not credentialed to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Please consult with your physician or trained midwife before developing your own birthplan.
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