ESSENTIAL OILS FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY SERIES
Choice
THE HOMEBIRTH
with Stephanie Fritz , The Essential Midwife
What is your birth philosophy ? Homebirth is not for every woman . My clients and I are a team . We look at all the choices surrounding pregnancy , labor , and birth , and I support them in whatever they choose through offering education and choices .
I am the mother of four daughters , three of which were born at home . I feel it ’ s these experiences that have shaped my vision of what women ’ s healthcare should be . I know first-hand what a difference information and a sense of control can make when having a baby .
What are some of the benefits of having a midwife and home birthing ? Studies show that an unfamiliar environment can compromise labor . Fear and discomfort can increase the pain experienced in labor , while relaxation can actually diminish stress , improve oxygen flow to the baby , and be a positive labor support for mom . When a woman births at home , she has “ the home court advantage .” She can move about freely , wear her own clothes without worrying about the back flap of her gown opening , eat and drink as she wants to keep up her energy , relax in a warm tub of water with essential oils , have her feet massaged by supportive friends , and even birth in whatever position she feels comfortable in . Women are very in tune with what ’ s happening in their bodies , and most of the time they want to be in control during this process . Being in control at home in a familiar environment helps to eliminate fear and feelings of anxiety . My intention is to provide a safe , comfortable , and familiar space for women to do what they do naturally .
What successes have you and your patients seen using dōTERRA essential oils ? Using essential oils in pregnancy creates an empowerment that is so valuable . Being able to have solutions that are timely and effective is essential .
24 / SUMMER 2017 LIVING MAGAZINE
Women experience a lot of changes in their body and there can be a lot of common issues , whether it ’ s morning sickness or a variety of other occasional discomforts . When clients call in with the occasional morning sickness in pregnancy , I refer them to Peppermint or Cardamom essential oils . I have also had great success in my practice using Peppermint and Myrrh to help turn the baby to the optimal fetal position . When mom needs extra support for her back discomfort , I refer her to Deep Blue ® and she reports back with gratitude for the relief it gave . When used appropriately , I believe essential oils can safely help during pregnancy and should be taken advantage of . The benefit associated with the essential oils can be extremely helpful for pregnancy , both on a physical and emotional level .
What tips would you give to expecting mothers to enhance their birthing experience ? Remember education is empowering , so read books that are relevant to your desired birthing experience . If you are planning a home birth , then read about that , but also learn about plan B and even plan C so you are prepared if you have to deviate from plan A .
Relaxation is the key to a successful birth . Be prepared whether you are in a hospital or home to have things around you that bring you comfort , because the more comfortable you are in your surroundings , the more relaxed you can be . dōTERRA Balance ® and Wild Orange make an excellent delivery-diffusing blend . The grounding blend helps balance emotions in the body , supporting feelings of courage , confidence , and strength , and Wild Orange helps reduce feelings of anxiousness .
Consider a doula for labor and postpartum support . She is trained to be an advocate for you when you are in “ labor land .” She often knows just what you need when you can ’ t vocalize it . What essential oils do you recommend using ( and how ) during the labor delivery process ? There are many oils you could use in labor , but I like to simplify and use as few as possible .
Labor Basil and Black Pepper essential oils combined with Fractionated Coconut Oil and massaged onto the low back can relieve discomfort during labor , and provide the needed strength to endure with greater ease . These two oils can be especially helpful when experiencing back labor .
Clary Sage essential oil is calming and helps relieve tension , which helps with contractions . Try blending Clary Sage with Geranium and / or Lavender .
AromaTouch ® massage blend improves circulation and relaxation , and is soothing to both mind and body . The back and shoulders are often areas of tension ; massage with Fractionated Coconut Oil to these areas for stress and tension relief .
Birth Peppermint essential oil , when inhaled , can help reduce feelings of nausea brought on by discomfort . I sometimes use it to turn a breech baby . I apply Peppermint with Fractionated Coconut Oil from hip to hip and spread up and over the abdomen in a rainbow fashion . I apply Myrrh to lower where I want the baby ’ s head .
Wild Orange and dōTERRA Balance ® make an excellent delivery-diffusing blend . The grounding blend helps balance emotions , supporting feelings of courage , confidence , and strength . Wild Orange helps reduce feelings of anxiousness .
Perineum support for pushing stage :
• 20 drops Helichrysum
• 20 drops Frankincense
• 30 ml Fractionated Coconut Oil
Gently massage on the perineum during crowning to lubricate and help ease baby out .