Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Labor and Birth

This was certainly a spiritual journey for me as I tried to navigate the fear and worry that can easily surround the concept of labor and the pain that accompanies it. But God did some super cool things in me through that and along with my oils, and I was ready when this baby was. With scripture verses and birth prayers posted around my home and worship music playing, I entered into a place of seeking God through my labor.

Frankincense Oil- Mixed with lavender to create a mix with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil with some Vitamin E) and apply to your stomach daily as a stretch mark cream.

Myrrh Oil- If you haven't heard of Perineal massage- go google that now. But don't be freaked out. About 3-4 weeks before baby's due date, my husband would do the perineal massage for me around 1-3 times per week. Gentle stretching can be great to prepare for the arrival of baby.

Let's start in the weeks leading up to the birth of baby and some of the things I did and used.

Lavender Oil- Used in almost every one of my baths to help calm and relax me at the end of the day.

Thieves Oil- Always to the rescue when our bodies need an intense immune system boost. I diffused this badboy with Purificationdaily to keep my immune system (and my family's) strong! (Also applied to the bottom of our feet.)

Alrighty so now let's get into the nitty gritty of LABOR! Let's go through the phases of labor so that you can decide exactly what you would want to have on hand. There are some listings that are specific to that phase of labor, but otherwise, general information (such as drinking lemon in your water) is good for the entire process of labor- in each phase of it.

Early Labor:

Lemon- Drink in your water for uplifting and energy.

Peace and Calming- Diffuse or apply over heart to help relax and calm.

Diffusing blend- To relax during early stages use Lavender, Orange and Peppermint.

For restful sleep (if contractions start during the night)- Massage diluted Lavender over body and diffuse.

Stress Away- Rub on topically where needed.

Valor- Apply to upper spine and along hips for feelings of courage and body alignment.

For hemorrhoid comfort- Apply diluted geranium or cypress (or make recipe of 1 drop Peppermint, 2 drops Helichrysum, 2 drops Geranium and 2 drops of Cypress with a carrier oil.)

Grounding- Diffused or applied over heart to help keep focus and a solid foundation for the labor.

Clary Sage- Added into warm bath with epsom salt to support labor.

Active Labor:

Clary Sage- Apply on inner ankles and lower abdomen to speed up labor. If using Young Living oils, you can place 1 drop on tongue or take a few drops in a capsule every 30-60 minutes as well. It is used as a uterine support that allows the uterus to work more effectively. When it is diffused it provides great clarity and helps to relieve anxious feelings.

Jasmine- Inhale, apply to bottom of feet and all around stomach to speed up labor and helps promote calmness in mom.

Peppermint- On tongue or in water for energy. Another fun fact, use Peppermint to help you pee during labor- hold the fumes of the bottle over the urethra or simply place 1 drop in the toilet.

PanAway- Apply topically to any areas of pain (especially on back).

Wash cloth blend- Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Geranium and Lavender.

Geranium- This oil is great to diffuse for its uplifting properties and helpful in balancing emotional states. It also enhances circulation to the places where it is applied topically- best place is the back and shoulders for relief of stress and tension.

Peace and Calming- To banish fears.

Valerian- Apply with hot compress for labor discomfort.

Orange- Drink in water or diffuse to bring energy.

Transition: (many blends and oils from active labor can be used now as well.)

Diffusing blend- Orange, Bergamot, Lavender and Clary Sage for energy.

Frankincense- Diluted and applied around vaginal opening.

Peppermint- On a cool wet cloth and applied to forehead and back of neck for energy and to reduce motion discomfort.

Basil- Diluted and applied to temples and lower abdomen to help women push forward in this stage of labor as it can be the point they don't feel they can keep going- it helps her get in touch with her inner strength and faith, plus physically, it helps to create more comfort and ease the intensity of this time in labor.

Helichrysum-Apply on the lower back or abdomen during the birthing phrase of labor to help to support an even more healthy recovery and placenta delivery after baby is born. You can mix it with a carrier oil for perineum support by gentlymassaging it on the perineum during crowning and also rub gently over baby’s head.

En-R-Gee- Used aromatically or topically for energizing qualities.

Afterbirth-

Peace and Calming with Joy- Diffused after baby is born for calming and joyful atmosphere.
Frankincese- Diluted to anoint and pray over newborn baby (apply to crown of baby's head).
Myrrh- Apply to umbilical chord before cutting and each day to stump to promote healing.
Lavender- Diluted for baby's diaper area.
Thieves- To diffuse when guests come visit.
PanAway- For areas of pain after baby is born.
Joy- Apply to heart and on baby.
Gentle baby- Apply topically to mom and baby for peace and restful sleep and for skin support for mom as well as support for baby blues.
Jasmine- Helps expel placenta.
Peppermint- Can help mom pee after birth.
Tangerine- Massage to feet and drink in water to reduce swelling.
To help expel the placenta and tone the uterus- Geranium, Lavender and Jasmine applied directly to the abdomen.
For support in case of tearing or episiotomy- ClaraDerm Spray or LavaDerm Spray.
For help in bonding with baby while breastfeeding- Apply 1 drop of Joy on breasts (not nipples) before nursing.
Perineal support sitz bath- 2 drops of Cypress and 3 drops of Lavender with 1 tsp. of salt and mix into bath water.
As a uterine tonic for strengthening uterus- apply any of the following oils to the lower abdomen- Jasmine, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Nutmeg and Cistus.

Some extra oils to have on hand in case of necessity or desire:

Rose – Restorative to skin and helps with emotional support.
Helichrysum – Tissue support and afterbirth to slow bleeding.
Idaho Balsam Fir– Internally in a capsule to wean off meds after C-section.
Believe Blend- Diluted on site for skin support and emotional upliftment.
Lavender – Skin support and for any pain in breasts.
Peppermint –Applied topically to turn breech babies (apply on top of stomach) or posterior babies (applied on lower back).
Optional labor blend- Lavender, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang and Roman Chamomile.
Fennel- (Or basil) to help start or increase milk supply- ingest in a capsule and apply directly on breasts.
For clogged milk ducts- Geranium, Lavender and Rose (or Gentle Baby blend) applied to cool compress and applied to breasts. 1 drop above the breasts on lymph area and 2-3 drops on the spine, above breast area. May also try ingesting in a capsule.
For sore nipples- Lavender mixed with a carrier oil (some other awesome recipes include Helichrysum oil with shea butter and vitamin E oil).
For Perineal support in the weeks leading up to labor, during labor, while pushing and after birth to aid in stretching and skin support: ClaraDerm Spray, Myrrh, Rose, Geranium, Lavender.
For baby massage- Mix any of the following oils with a carrier oil and massage over baby's body- Frankincense, Valor, Joy, Peace and Calming, Lavender, Gentle baby and Myrrh.
For constipation- Use diluted Peppermint or DiGize and apply to abdomen in a clockwise circular motion. Fennel applied neat to the center of the bottom of the feet.
Cradle cap- Diluted or neat Lavender on area of concern.
Jaundice- Diluted DiGize on bottom of baby's feet.

I was slathering on CLARY SAGE oil which can help increase or start uterine contractions. For 2 days, I was applying it topically to my entire stomach and my inner ankles. (I also would have used JASMINE if I would have had it.) Sometimes I applied neat, and sometimes I added some of Young Living's V-6 carrier oil. I also would ingest a capsule with about 5 drops of CLARY SAGE in it at the same time I applied topically. I usually would restart my diffuser with CLARY SAGE, EN-R-GEE, ORANGE and PEPPERMINT to get my energy up (2 drops each.) I would do this system every 3-4 hours.

I took a warm bath during labor and used PEACE AND CALMING and LAVENDER with some Epsom salt which was incredibly soothing for me.

Before I went to bed at night, I would rub GENTLE BABY all over my tummy to help soothe and calm me before sleep and through contractions through the night. (I also use this for baby after being born.)

On the day when things really started progressing (and baby was actually born), I had very low and deep contractions as I neared the pushing stage. During this phase of labor, my husband would rub PANAWAY and VALOR all over my back but specifically my lower back which was in a significant amount of pain. I also put VALOR on my neck and hips and my husband would gently put pressure on both sides of my hips as I contracted.

My husband dropped PEPPERMINT directly on my tongue when I was experiencing nausea during intense contractions. (It is also great in your water or having LEMON in your water.)

After Zion was born, we prayed over him and anointed him with FRANKINCENSE oil. We rubbed it all over his body and diluted with V-6 oil. (We also used FRANKINCENSE diluted for our perineal massage in the weeks leading up to labor.)

I have been continuing to diffuse GENTLE BABY in my room for baby and I and THIEVES when guests come. I have my THIEVES HAND PURIFIER for all the kids to put on their hands before touching or holding baby and my THIEVES SPRAY on my nightstand to help keep the area clean. These have been some must haves to make sure I am keeping the environment pure and free of germs.

I hope this guide is helpful for you and gives you insight to what a difference essential oils can make in your life pertaining to this topic.