Aromatherapy makes birth easier

Aromatherapy can ease labour pains, and even make the birth easier.

Women who used aromatherapy that contained sweet orange oil (Citrus sinensis L) during labour reported “significantly reduced pain” and it helped improve dilation during the first stages of labour, especially for women who were having their first child.  The oils also reduced the women’s anxiety.

Researchers from the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil tested the oils on a group of 42 pregnant women.  Half inhaled the actual oils, and the rest used a placebo oil of distilled water.  Pain levels were recorded with a standard measure and fetal heart rate was also monitored.

As well as reducing pain levels and anxiety, the aromatherapy oils also reduced blood pressure, and respiratory and heart rates.

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