Using aromatherapy oils
The benefits of aromatherapy oils
๐ Lower pain scores
๐ Decrease stress/anxiety
๐ Reduced length of labor
๐ Decrease diastolic blood pressure
๐ Reduced nausea & vomiting
๐ Affordable, non-invasive, no documented harmful incidents
Main Research Findings:
(list of oils at bottom)
๐ธ Used by massage, bath, or diffusion
๐ธ Can be used for pain, anxiety or sleep (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 1:50)
Thought that aromatherapy exposes limbic system to molecules that stimulate that system (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 2:30)
Stimulation decreases anxiety and tension = less pain perceived
May also decrease cortisol (stress hormone)
๐ธ In a study of unmedicated birthing women
50% rated aromatherapy as helpful, 13% rated unhelpful (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 4:30)
Out of 10 oils used, rose oil was rated most helpful overall, and peppermint rates most helpful to combat nausea and vomiting
Undesired effects from 1% of participants (nausea, itchy rash, headache, fast labor) were consistent with normal labor experiences so itโs not certain whether these were due to labor in general or the use of oils
No bad health outcomes
๐ธ Review on studies using aromatherapy found (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 7:40):
Lower pain scores at end of labor for aromatherapy group compared to non-aromatherapy group
Lower anxiety levels for those who received aromatherapy than those in placebo and control groups
Found decrease in anxiety levels in the aromatherapy group AND placebo group
Though the decrease was larger in aromatherapy group
Found that aromatherapy may have helped shorten labor (Salvia officinalis aromatherapy) and potential decrease in diastolic blood pressure (geranium essential oil)
๐ธ Lavender oil may even decrease stress of nurse staff workers (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 10:35)
๐ธ Important to seek a professional aromatherapist (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 11:25)
โChoosing a fragrance that is personally appealing may have even more beneficial effects since the molecules in the essential oils are thought to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for emotion, memory and your response to pain.โ
๐ธ Oils (used in the studies reviewed above) (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief - end of transcript)
Lower pain scores:
Lavender
Citrus
Jasmine
Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
Bitter Orange (citrus aurantium)
Rose (Rosa centifolia)
Geranium rose
Rose Plant (Rosa damascena)
Reduced stress/anxiety:
Rose Plant (Rosa damascena
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Sweet Orange Peel (Citrus sinensis)
Bitter Orange (citrus aurantium)
Lavender
Decreased length of labor:
Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
Decreased diastolic blood pressure:
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Decreased nausea and vomiting:
Peppermint
โ๏ธ Risks:
May cause skin irritation and allergies (important to patch test before use)
Potentially inappropriate for those with breathing problems or allergies to certain plants (Aromatherapy during Labor for Pain Relief 11:19)
Some essential oils are toxic to fetus (Higson, 2020, location 1861)