How to Use Olive Oil During Labor

From massage to custom made aromatherapy fragrances, many expecting moms find olive oil to be an essential tool while laboring. If you're interested in using olive oil during your labor, try following these simple steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Olive oil
• Essential oils

1. Use olive oil for a body massage. Many expecting moms ask their labor coaches or spouses to give them a massage during labor. Have your coach or spouse use olive oil on your skin during a massage.

2. Use olive oil for a perineal massage. Midwives have been using perineal massage during labor for years and believe it to help with the stretching of the perineal area during the crowing of the baby. Massage the perineum with olive oil to help prepare the area for your birth.

3. Use olive oil to make your own aromatherapy oil. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a small container of olive oil to create your own fragrance. Lavender oil may promote relaxation and peppermint may help with nausea during labor.

Tips & Warnings

• Your sense of smell may be heightened during pregnancy. Add essential oils drop by drop to olive oil until you get the intensity of fragrance that you desire.

Resources

• Perineal massage instructions and Information