Welcome to the home stretch
Gone are the honeymoon days, now everything starts becoming heavier and harder to do. For most women the third trimester can be quite uncomfortable and some of the symptoms you thought were gone, such as nausea and food aversions, begin to return! Essential oils can provide comfort during this time, especially to a pained and tired Mother-to-be.
Remember, dilutions are still to be kept very low at 0.5 - 1%. You’ll see that the labour aid recipes are a little higher in dilution. Only when labour is imminent or has started can some essential oils be used at a higher dilution rate.
A sound night’s sleep
With pressure from the ever growing uterus pressing onto the bladder means an undisturbed sleep is a thing of the past (preparing us for when baby comes along?!). I found myself waking up a couple of times a night to use the bathroom, but mostly found I could fall back to sleep without any trouble. I did however diffuse Lavender and Frankincense in my bedroom before bed most bights which I'm sure helped.
Bed time diffuser recipe100ml water
* 3 drops of Lavender
* 2 drops of Frankincense
Aches and Pains
I found that aches and pains really stepped up a gear in my third trimester. Back ache and pelvis pain became an almost everyday occurrence. Movement really helped manage the pain and loosen up any tension I was experiencing in my joints and muscles. I went to prenatal yoga classes once or twice a week and did some stretches in bed upon waking each morning. My yoga instructor recommended I use tennis balls to roll over my calf muscles to help with the cramps I was experiencing – this was probably the best piece of advice I got and helped tremendously with restless legs. I also found warm baths really helpful. I added Epsom salts, along with a couple of drops of Lavender and Ginger mixed with a little fractionated coconut oil as the carrier.
Labour Aids
Birthing a baby is the most intense and magical experience a woman can go through. I pre made a few products before the big day and I'm so pleased I did! Having my favourite and beloved oils a part of my labour and birth journey made it all the more magical - and also helped me cope with the whole experience a lot better!
Contractions
Once labour begins it can be a little stop/start. Contractions can come and go and this can go on for hours, even days! I made a contraction blend to use in case this happened to me. My labour with my first child was 7 hours from waters breaking to baby being born and with my second only 3 hours! Therefore I didn't end up needing this blend. I've since made it for a friend who used it during her labour and birth. Her feedback was that it certainly helped get the contractions going, and stay consistent!!
50ml Fractionated Coconut Oil (because FCO will not stain sheets and clothing)
* 10 drops of Jasmine
* 8 drops of Clary Sage
Massage onto belly and lower back. If you are in labour, then have your birthing partner do this (it feels really nice!).
Both of these essential oils are not recommended to use during pregnancy until 38 weeks and over. Both Jasmine and Clary Sage tone the uterus, therefore they will increase the strength of contractions – perfect if you are having irregular contractions or contractions which come and go and do not progress.
Calm Labour Inhaler
* 2 drops Patchouli
* 3 drops Bergamot
* 1 drops Neroli
* 3 drops Lemon
* 4 drops Clary Sage
Drop onto cotton wick and insert into inhaler.
This is the exact recipe I used in my inhaler which I had in whilst labouring and delivery. Patchouli, Bergamot and Neroli for calming, Lemon to boost motivation, and Clary Sage to keep contractions coming at a steady rate. For me, this inhaler worked absolute wonders. I inhaled the scent as each contraction was building up, along with using other breathing techniques I learned during hypnobirthing training.
Clary Sage baths from 38 weeks.
10ml Fractionated Coconut Oil
Half cup of Epsom salts
* 4 drops of Clary Sage
* 2 drops lemon
I hope you find these recipes helpful during your final days and hours before baby arrives. Wishing you a smooth labour and delivery.