Have a Faster and Pain-Free Labor and Delivery with Essential Oils

Plant medicine has been the long time “go-to” for midwives. Prior to childbirth taking place in hospitals with the use of epidurals for pain management, plant medicine provided mothers with labor induction, and pain relief. I didn’t understand how powerful plant medicine was until I was able to not only induce my own labor with its use, but I was able to have a pain-free natural delivery…in my car. I used an essential oil that progressed my labor, relaxed my body and dulled my pain.

If you have been subscribed to my Youtube channel or frequent my blog then you know that I delivered my fourth baby in my car, parked at a red light. We didn’t make it to the hospital in time. Fortunately, I had my doula on speaker guiding me through the process (check her out on Instagram: @thewellmommy) and I had my essential oil in my hand. I passed it across my nose a few times, and it was amazingly helpful. Here is a list of essential oils that have amazing powers and benefits to help mothers have a pain-free labor and delivery experience.

The way you can use these essential oils are by placing 2-3 drops on your wrist, back of the neck or lower back. You can place it in a diffuser with a few drops in the suggested amount of water for your particular diffuser. Or you can place a few drops into warm or cool water, take a cloth and place it in the water, wring it to remove excess water and place on your forehead, neck, shoulders or back. Remember that not all essential oils can be applied topically, while others need a carrier oil (like jojoba) to be used topically. Please read the individual instructions for use of each essential oil.

Now that you know how to apply the essential oils let’s talk about which ones you can use to improve your labor experience.

Lavender essential oil is one of my favorites. I grabbed it on to take in the car with me on my way to the hospital to deliver my daughter recently. Thankfully it was in the front seat with me, because I literally brought the bottle to my nose and calmly smelled it every so often. I ended up delivering the baby in the car, so this was extremely helpful in keeping me calm and relaxed. Lavender essential oil not only calms the mother but increases the strength of the contractions, which is probably why it was so easy for my daughter to come out in the car because my contractions were stronger from smelling the lavender essential oil. It literally can ease the pain of the uterus contracting while strengthening the contractions. It is a must have during your labor and delivery process.

Neroli essential oil: If you are a person who has any fears about delivering a baby, whether unmedicated or medicated, then Neroli is for you. It helps reduce anxiety and fear. The #1 reason many mothers back out of natural, unmedicated births and decide to get an epidural is fear. Fear that the pain will be too much for them to bear, and fear of the unknown. Birth is definitely uncertain. However, being calm or relaxed is a helpful tool to keep labor from stalling, and bringing about a better experience. If you can reduce the fear then you have won half the battle. 

Jasmine Essential Oil: Another essential oil that is helpful in reducing pain and strengthening contractions. If you are planning out your birth soon then think about creating a blend of lavender and jasmine essential oils to diffuse while you are laboring. Or alternate between the two for each contraction. Remembering which one to smell slowly during your contractions is a great way to distract you from any discomfort and pull your attention to the breath and the beautiful smell, all while the essential oil works to push your labor along quicker through stronger contractions with reduced pain.

Myrrh Essential Oil: Many women wonder how dilated they are when they are getting closer to the end of their pregnancies. Myrrh helps to encourage the opening of the cervix which can help speed along labor. A quicker less painful labor experience always sounds like a win for me. Except when I had the baby in the car…a little too quick, right? So if you are applying my tips, definitely understand that they work and get to your medical provider or child-birthing support as soon as possible, especially if it isn’t your first baby. Also, I am not giving medical advice, and you should always seek the approval of your medical adviser. 

Clary Sage Essential Oil: definitely do not use this essential oil while pregnant because it does encourage labor! This is a labor only essential oil that helps relieve tension and pushes labor along. This is the labor inducing essential oil. When a mother is ready to start labor this is very helpful.

Your arsenal of essential oils for labor should include Neroli, Lavender, Clary Sage, Myrrh, and Jasmine. You may also need a diffuser.

This post contains affiliate links, which provides a commission to this blog if any purchase is made. It is completely free for you to use and tremendously supports this blog.