What is aromatherapy?
One of the alternative techniques you can use for the management of pain during labor is aromatherapy. This involves using essential oils that provide fragrance and are designed to help with mood, health, and cognitive functioning. Aromatherapy can be a great way to reduce the amount of stress you're experiencing. Since being pregnant can be stressful, it's especially important to take good care of yourself and find things that will help you to feel happy and relaxed. During the actual labor and delivery, you can use aromatherapy to keep yourself calm.
Because fragrances can affect a person's mood, it's possible to use aromatherapy to reduce the stress and fear that often come with labor. This will lower the amount of pain that you are feeling as a result. Less pain means an easier labor for you and for your baby, who is also affected by the stress hormones that your body produces. Before your due date, find a fragrance (or combination of them) that works for you. Not everyone reacts the same way to the same scents, so you'll want to try several different options until you find the right one.
How effective is aromatherapy?
Studies have shown that some people are greatly helped by using aromatherapy. It can reduce their anxiety and pain, and can promote relaxation and a sense of well being. Those are all great benefits when you're in labor and right before you deliver your baby. Naturally, not everyone believes in the benefits of essential oils and fragrances. Some studies show no benefit, while others show a modest change in how people feel based on the fragrances they're provided with. The most important thing is to find what works best for you. If aromatherapy meets your needs, there's no reason why you shouldn't use it.
It can be risky for pregnant women to ingest essential oils or use them on their bodies, but there is little risk in using them purely for their scent, using the fragrance to help keep you calm and free of stress. If you have any concerns about using aromatherapy during your labor and delivery, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor first.