Within NHS Tayside maternity, a post dates aromatherapy clinic is offered to women who have reached their expected due date or who have gone beyond this.
As midwives, we aspire to keep pregnancy and birth as low risk as possible and hope that the use of essential oils can enable this. This service has been available since late 2014, and the results have been very positive!
We know that women are actively seeking alternative therapies and it has been shown that aromatherapy may have an effect on the duration of labour and the amount of pain relief required in labour.
Post Dates Aromatherapy
How to access the service
Once you have completed 40 weeks of pregnancy, you will see your community midwife and aromatherapy can be discussed then. There are a few contraindications to using aromatherapy in pregnancy so it is not suitable for all women.
Clinics are available within Perth, Dundee and Angus, in which your midwife can book your appointment.
Clinics are available within Perth, Dundee and Angus, in which your midwife can book your appointment.
Are you suitable?
Ideally, women should be “green pathway” for their midwifery care. However, there are exceptions e.g. increased BMI (please discuss this further with your midwife).
You should be over 40 weeks gestation.
The baby’s head must be engaged in the pelvis.
You should be over 40 weeks gestation.
The baby’s head must be engaged in the pelvis.
What will happen at my appointment?
- You will be asked to come to the clinic with your antenatal notes and a towel.
- You will have an antenatal check, (blood pressure, abdominal palpation and baby’s heart rate)
- You will be asked to complete and sign a consent form
- Aromatherapy oils will be discussed with you and an explanation of their functions will be given.
- The blend of essential oils will be blended and applied to the skin either by back, foot or hand massage. This is entirely your choice.
- You will also have some pressure applied to certain reflexes that have been shown to have an effect on the uterus. These are found in your lower legs, hands and shoulders.
- Some oil will be given to you to use at home.
The whole appointment will last from 45 minutes to 1 hour. This should be a relaxing experience and give you a chance to unwind prior to the birth of your baby.
Aftercare
We recommend that you relax for the rest of the day, drink plenty of water and sleep if you need to.
Do not have a bath or shower too soon after the massage to allow the oils time to be absorbed.
If you have any further questions please get in touch with your midwife.
Do not have a bath or shower too soon after the massage to allow the oils time to be absorbed.
If you have any further questions please get in touch with your midwife.