Aromatherapy is both a science and an art in which highly concentrated essential oils extracted from various parts of the different plants are used for their therapeutic properties.
Aromatherapy and massage offers relaxation and acts as an adjunct to enhance normal labour.
It can be offered to:
- Women who are at term with a normal pregnancy
- Women in the latent phase of labour
- Women in established labour
It is not suitable for:
- Antenatal women < 37 weeks gestation
- Known allergy to any of the essential oils or carrier oils
Oils available for use while in labour are as follows:
- Bergamot – to help with analgesia, relief of fear and spasms, uplifting
- Clary Sage – said to enhance uterine action, induction and acceleration, antibacterial
- Grapefruit – said to be calming and help relieve fear and anxiety
- Lavender – said to relieve backache, sciatica, symphisis pubis pain, antibacterial
The carrier oil of choice will usually be Grapeseed Oil.
The maximum numbers of oils allowed in one mix is 3, all diluted into the carrier oil.
Areas to massage include:
- Back, shoulders
- Hands
- Feet
