I do not feel like I have been talking about it enough lately, but one of the things I am most excited about labor this go around is having my essential oils to support me! The Bahorich household has been using essential oils in our daily lives for the past two years now and we honestly have experienced so many benefits from having them in our lives. I have been using essential oils to support my body, mind, and hormones during this pregnancy and could not imagine what our lives would have looked like without them. It almost seems like a no brainer to think about taking essential oils for labor and delivery support.
Over the past couple of months, I have been researching what are our "musts" to take with us to the hospital for my "essential birth toolkit" for labor and delivery and I thought I would share them with you! I have not 100% decided on if I am hauling my diffuser with me to the hospital yet, but if you want to, I would highly suggest and make sure that it is okay with your hospital before you do it. I haven't necessarily decided if I want to mess with it, even though I know I'll probably regret it in the end. We'll see...
Okay, onto the fun stuff!
Diffuser Combos
As I said, I don't necessarily know if I am packing my diffuser with me; however, I am grabbing a few to sniff in place of an aromatic solution. Oils support me emotionally especially in high stress times. The oils I am packing to diffuse are my personal favorites such as Orange, Frankincense, Stress Away, Lavender, Peppermint, Release & Gentle Baby. These are all oils I diffuse regularly and love so I am excited to utilize the emotional support of these oils during labor as well.
If you are happening to take your diffuser as well, here are a few of my favorite combos:
Stress Away + Orange
Release + Orange
Gentle Baby + Frankincense
Labor Roller
This roller blend is not my own blend, but straight out of one of my favorite resource book for using essential oils during pregnancy and with babies & kiddos, called Gentle Babies. Just a heads up, this roller blend should NOT be used until the body is already in active labor. It can be used to support steady contractions and keep labor from stalling. I'll apply it to my inner ankle, along my back and wrists.
R E C I P E
+ 10 drops clary sage
+ 10 drops fennel
+ 10 drops ylang ylang
+ 5 drops peppermint
(topped off with grapeseed oil)
I would also recommend to stop using this blend immediately after birth. Clary Sage and Peppermint have been known to decrease milk supply and although it may not directly affect you in that way, personally, I do not want to chance it.
Relief Blend
I originally made this blend for our little Ollie for all of the cuts and bruises he gets; however, I am packing it along for the hospital for my own bruising and pains. Some of these oils included also helps expel the placenta and tone the uterus which is super helpful for postpartum moments.
R E C I P E
+ 5 drops tea tree
+ 10 drops lavender
+ 5 drops frankincense
+ 5 drops geranium
(topped off with grapeseed oil)
Other Oils
STRESS AWAY
This one was a no brainer! I use this oil almost every day for emotional support and when Ollie falls off his rocker. I love the way that it smells and it is always able to relax me when I am feeling stressed. Stress Away essential oil is a combination of Lime, Vanilla, Copaiba, Cedarwood, Ocotea and Lavender.
GENTLE BABY
Another oil blend that I honestly cannot live without and it's pretty obvious due to the name as to why it would be so important to take with me to my labor and delivery. This oil is amazing support for mothers and babies as it was designed specifically for expectant mothers and newborn babies. It is comforting, soothing and relaxing. It may help relieve stress during pregnancy and can be highly beneficial during the birthing process. Gentle Baby essential oil is a combination of Rosewood, Geranium, Palmarosa, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Lemon, Jasmine, Bergamot & Rose.
FRANKINCENSE
Oh frankincense -- my favorite. If there is only one oil that you pack with you, I would highly recommend this one! It smells amazing and can be used for darn near anything and everything. We love it for immune, emotional and skin support.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint is a must in our home, specifically to help aid in headaches and feeling nauseous. I did not get sick during my first labor and delivery experience but because it is so common, I want to take it just in case. Additionally, it is definitely sinus season in the Midwest so I am sure if I am not using it, Dusty will be to help relief his headaches due to sinus pressure.
PEACE + CALMING
Peace + Calming is one of my favorite blends as well. It is a gentle, sweet blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. It has such a comforting, fresh aroma, and creates a relaxing environment for those stressful moments of laboring.
VALOR + PANAWAY
I had major back labor with Ollie. We can all hope that this doesn't happen again; however, it if does, I am definitely packing my Valor and Panaway to apply to my lower back to help with the aches and pains of contractions.
And that's it! I have these oils sat aside in this cute carrying case so they can easily be grabbed and tossed into my hospital bag before we leave. I have truly seen the benefits of using essential oils first hand in our home over the past few years so adding them to such a personal and life changing experience was an easy decision to make. I couldn't imagine not having them to support me in every way! If you want to learn more about getting started with essential oils you can learn more here. And if you have any questions please feel free to email me, comment below or message me on Instagram!
