Evening Primrose Oil (Cervical Ripening and Perineal Support)

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is often suggested as a "natural" choice for cervical ripening and keeping the perineal area strong but supple. Not many studies have yet been done on EPO but a few have shown it to only be a pre-cursor to prostaglandins. For perineal support, proper nutrition might be a better choice.

For cervical ripening, consider that EPO is an essential fatty acid and deteriorates quickly, therefore, it could turn rancid inside the vagina. If you choose to purchase EPO, keep in mind that it is expensive and usually blended in a small (often 10%) dilution with carrier oils making the EPO capsule or liquid not as potent as you might think. Buyer beware!

Also, when taking EPO orally, it can cause gastro-intestinal irritation such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, dehydration, and severe cramping. This GI distress can cause ineffective contractions that may lead a client to think that they are in pre-labor.

What about safety? If ingested, Evening Primrose Oil may act as an anti-coagulant and thin your blood during use and for some time afterward. This could place you at risk for hemorrhage and other complications. Please discuss use with your doctor or midwife.
 

Essential Oil Safety and Aromatherapy

We aren’t licensed herbalists and can’t advise you on the safety of essential oil (EO) use while pregnant or bodyfeeding. Essential oils are organic substances that cross the placental barrier and have the potential to affect your baby. However, during topical use, the amount of an EO that actually accesses the mother’s skin is tiny, and therefore the amount that reaches the placenta is minuscule if proper dilutions are being used. 

Generally speaking, many EOs are safe for aromatherapy and topical use. Never ingest an EO. Remember, less is best with EO use, do not be tempted to think that if it’s good, then more is better. 

Determine why you want to use an EO and then pick one that is recommended for that ailment or symptom. Example: lavender is relaxing and soothing; it helps reduce inflammation when used on unbroken skin if diluted/mixed with a carrier oil. Peppermint and lemon oil can prevent and treat nausea.

The salespeople of multi-level-marketing companies advertise essential oil lines via Pinterest and Facebook; it's become so prevalent that it can be hard to tell what's marketing or the truth. You'll find several blogs when searching online that are disguised as informational sources when in fact, the website is a sales promotion for EO kits, products, and more. Buyer beware.

We recommend the brands of EOs stocked at WholeFoods, or look for NOW products via Amazon. Another reputable company is Rose Mountain Herbs. (The Happiest Doulas are not an affiliate of any recommended brand or EO website.)
 

Essential Oils to Avoid Throughout Pregnancy, Labor, and While Breastfeeding
 

Essential Oil  Latin Name

Aniseed  Pimpinella anisum
Basil ct. estragole  Ocimum basilicum
Birch  Betula lenta
Camphor  Cinnamomum camphora
Hyssop  Hyssopus officinalis
Mugwort  Artemisia vulgaris
Parsley seed or leaf  Petroselinum sativum
Pennyroyal  Mentha pulegium
Sage  Salvia officinalis
Tansy  Tanacetum vulgare
Tarragon  Artemisia dracunculus
Thuja  Thuja occidentalis
Wintergreen  Gaultheria procumbens
Wormwood  Artemisia absinthium

There are at least eight randomized controlled trials that looked at specific essential oils and they found that essential oils that were used in these studies did decrease pain and anxiety among people who were having unmedicated births. Using essential oils to help manage labor pain is affordable, noninvasive and does not have any documented cases of harm. It may not be appropriate for people with breathing problems or who have allergies to certain plants.

Choosing a fragrance that is personally appealing, or appealing to you as an individual, may have even more beneficial effects since the molecules in the essential oils are thought to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for emotion, memory and your response to pain.

According to the studies that we reviewed, the following essential oils may be especially helpful during labor:

• Lower pain scores: Lavender, Citrus, Jasmine, Salvia (Salvia officinale), Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium), Rose (Rosa centifolia), Geranium Rose, and Rose Plant (Rosa damascena)

• Reduced stress/anxiety: Rose Plant (Rosa damascena), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Sweet Orange Peel (Citrus sinesis), Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium), and Lavender

• Decreased length of labor: Salvia (Salvia officinale)

• Decreased diastolic blood pressure: Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

• Decreased nausea and vomiting: Peppermint https://evidencebasedbirth.com/aromatherapy-for-pain-relief-during-labor/

Click here to read the full article at Evidence Based Birth.

Blue Cohosh or Black Cohosh for Natural Labor Induction

Evidence suggests that while blue cohosh does appear to induce contractions, it can also cause birth defects, it can be toxic to the fetus and toxic to the heart. Researchers say that the most prudent approach at this time would be to avoid blue and black cohosh. Especially avoid blue cosh during pregnancy.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea or Tonic for Labor Induction

There is very little research on human consumption of red raspberry leaf during pregnancy. Some people have reported side effects with the use of raspberry leaf, such as diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, but these are commonly reported during pregnancy. And it’s not known if they can be attributed to the raspberry leaf. The use of raspberry leaf was linked to an increase in cesarean in one retrospective study. However, the study was very limited by the fact that it only included 34 people who used raspberry leaves during pregnancy. Neither the single randomized trial on this topic nor the retrospective study by Parsons found any statistically significant results with regard to any outcomes of interest. Listen to the Evidence Baswed Birth podcast on Red Raspberry Leaf Tea.

Infographic on “Natural” Labor Induction Methods - Click to read the brief summary and view the data. Link included to further review published data.

Evidence on Pineapple and Sex for Natural Labor Induction