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Your natural companion through the beautiful journey of motherhood
Labour is undoubtedly one of the most transformative experiences in a woman's life. While it brings the incomparable joy of meeting your little one, it also comes with its share of discomfort and pain. As more expectant mothers seek gentler alternatives to conventional pain management, aromatherapy has emerged as a powerful ally in the birthing room.
At Myrtle & Maude, we believe in the power of nature to support women through every stage of their motherhood journey. Just as our pregnancy teas and supplements are formulated by experienced herbalists to address specific needs from conception to postpartum, we recognise that aromatherapy offers similar targeted benefits during labour itself.
This guide explores how certain scents can help ease discomfort, promote relaxation, and potentially even enhance the efficiency of contractions during childbirth. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital delivery, or something in between, aromatherapy might be the natural companion you've been looking for to help navigate the waves of labour.
Aromatherapy works through two primary pathways: our olfactory system (sense of smell) and absorption through the skin. When we inhale essential oil molecules, they travel directly to our brain's limbic system—the emotional control centre that influences the nervous system and hormone production.
During labour, this connection becomes particularly powerful.
Research suggests that certain aromas can:
A 2016 review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that women using aromatherapy during labour reported higher satisfaction with their pain management compared to control groups. While aromatherapy may not eliminate pain entirely, its ability to reduce perceived pain intensity and improve emotional wellbeing makes it a valuable addition to any birth plan.
Not all essential oils are created equal when it comes to labour support. Here are the most effective options, each with its unique properties:
Lavender: The Versatile Calming Agent
Lavender stands as perhaps the most well-researched essential oil for labour. Its gentle yet powerful properties include:
· Analgesic (pain-relieving) effects
· Anxiety reduction
· Promotion of deeper, more regular breathing
· Mild sedative qualities that encourage relaxation without drowsiness
A 2018 clinical trial found that inhaling lavender essential oil significantly reduced pain perception during the active phase of labour and decreased anxiety levels in first-time mothers.
Clary Sage: The Contraction Supporter
Often called "the woman's oil," clary sage has earned its reputation for good reason:
· Helps stimulate and regulate contractions
· Contains natural compounds that mimic the effects of oxytocin
· Provides antispasmodic effects that may ease the intensity of contractions
· Promotes feelings of euphoria and wellbeing
Important note: Due to its potential to stimulate contractions, clary sage should only be used during active labour, not during pregnancy.
Bergamot: The Mood Elevator
This citrus-derived oil offers a uniquely balanced energy that can be particularly helpful during labour:
· Reduces anxiety and stress without causing drowsiness
· Helps alleviate pain through its analgesic properties
· Balances emotions during the intensity of transition
· Creates a bright, uplifting atmosphere in the birthing environment
Basil: The Focus Enhancer
Though less commonly discussed for labour, basil essential oil offers valuable benefits:
· Helps clear the mind during the mental fog that can accompany intense contractions
· Provides respiratory support for controlled breathing techniques
· Offers gentle analgesic properties
· May help reduce feelings of exhaustion during prolonged labour
Usage note: Basil should be used in smaller amounts than other oils, as its aroma is quite potent. A single drop in a diffuser or inhaler is often sufficient.
The effectiveness of aromatherapy depends not just on which oils you choose, but how you use them. Here are the most practical methods for the birthing environment:
Inhalation: Direct and Effective
Inhalation offers immediate access to the benefits of essential oils and allows the labouring mother to control when and how she uses them.
Nasal Inhalers:Perhaps the most convenient option for labour, personal inhalers (like our Myrtle & Maude Labour Aromatherapy Nasal Inhalation Stick) provide instant, controlled access to aromatherapy benefits. They're portable, mess-free, and perfect for hospital births where diffusers might not be permitted.
Dry Inhalation: A few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball, tissue, or even your partner's shirt collar can provide accessible aromatherapy without any special equipment.
Steam Inhalation: Adding a few drops to a bowl of steaming water (placed at a safe distance) can help distribute the aroma throughout the room while adding beneficial humidity.
The combination of therapeutic touch and aromatherapy creates a powerfully soothing experience:
Diluted Application: Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil (such as sweet almond, coconut, or jojoba) before applying to skin. A safe dilution for labour is typically 1-2 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil.
Targeted Relief: Lower back massage with aromatherapy oils can specifically address the intense back pain many women experience during labour.
Partner Involvement: Massage provides a meaningful way for birth partners to offer support and connection during labour.
Using a diffuser can transform the entire birthing space:
Ultrasonic Diffusers: These create a fine mist of water and essential oil, adding both aroma and humidity to the room.
Reed Diffusers: A non-electric option suitable for hospitals where plugin devices might not be allowed.
Tissue Method: Simply placing a few drops on tissues positioned near (but not touching) the mother provides subtle, ongoing aromatherapy.
While aromatherapy offers numerous benefits, essential oils are potent natural compounds that require careful use, especially during such a sensitive time as labour:
Consult Your Healthcare Providers
Quality Matters
Proper Dilution and Application
Special Considerations
Preparing your aromatherapy toolkit before labour begins ensures you'll have these natural allies ready when you need them most. Here's what to consider including:
Essential Supplies
Complementary Items
At Myrtle & Maude, we've taken the guesswork out of this preparation with our specially formulated Labour Aromatherapy Nasal Inhalation Stick. Crafted by experienced herbalists who understand the unique needs of childbirth, this convenient tool delivers precisely balanced essential oils to support you through contractions, transition, and delivery.
Aromatherapy works best as part of a comprehensive approach to labour comfort. Consider how essential oils might enhance:
Movement and Positioning
Hydrotherapy
Breath Work
Just as our pregnancy tea collection is thoughtfully formulated to address specific needs from fertility to postpartum recovery, our approach to aromatherapy honours the natural progression of birth.
Our products are:
Our Labour Aromatherapy Nasal Inhalation Stick represents this philosophy perfectly—combining traditional wisdom about plant medicine with modern understanding of aromatherapy's effects during childbirth. Like all our products, it offers gentle yet effective support when you need it most.
Labour and birth represent one of life's most powerful thresholds—a time when a woman's body accomplishes the extraordinary feat of bringing new life into the world. How we experience this threshold matters, not just for physical comfort but for our emotional and psychological journey into motherhood.
Aromatherapy offers more than just potential pain relief; it provides a way to remain present, connected, and empowered throughout the birthing process. By engaging the sense of smell—one of our most primal and emotionally linked senses—essential oils can help create an environment where your body's natural abilities are supported rather than overridden.
Whether used alone during early labour, as complementary support alongside medical pain management, or as part of a fully natural birth plan, aromatherapy represents an accessible way to personalise your birth experience. As you prepare to meet your little one, consider how these natural allies might help smooth the path to that first magical moment together.
Remember, as with all aspects of birth preparation, the key is finding what works for your unique needs and preferences. At Myrtle & Maude, we're honoured to support you with thoughtfully crafted natural products for every stage of your motherhood journey—from the first steps toward conception through the beautiful challenges of labour and beyond.
References:
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Aromatherapy should be used as a complementary approach alongside proper medical care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before using essential oils during pregnancy and labour, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications. While aromatherapy can provide comfort and support during labour, individual experiences may vary. Myrtle & Maude products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
