Oxford Handbook of Midwifery (37 page)

Relaxing, stress, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, antioxidant, antispasmodic, skin tonic, antiseptic

Antidepressant, antiseptic, antiviral aphrodisiac, vasoconstrictive, hormone balancing.

Affinity with female reproductive system

Calming, sedative, astringent, diuretic, decongestant, antiseptic, bactericidal

Strong antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral antifungal, stimulates white blood cell production. Inhibits growth of many pathogenic bacteria

Aphrodisiac, sedative, tonic, antidepressant, hypotensive, antiseptic, emotionally balancing, stimulates the ovaries

Good for fear and panic. Insomnia, skin problems depression, digestive disorders

Use for anxiety, insomnia constipation.

Emmenagogue—preferably avoid until late pregnancy. Very expensive, but ideal oil for all women’s needs. Ensure high quality oil used for therapeutic purposes

Suggested use varicose veins, cystitis, vaginal discharge, bronchitis, coughs, sore throats, heartburn, and nausea

Effective for candida infection, acne (facial sauna). Prevention of infection, natural alternative to

treat colds and influenza.

Also effective as first aid

treatment for mouth ulcers, bites, boils, burns, cold sores

Heady aroma. Use for anxiety, depression, panic, fear and shock. Regulates heart beat and slows breathing. Regulates flow of adrenaline

Routes of administration of essential oils

CHAPTER 7
Helping women cope with pregnancy

126

• Room spray: 10 drops of oil to 200mL of water, preferably in a fine nozzle spray container.
  
• Tissue/cotton wool: one to two drops of essential oil and inhale as required.
  
• Taper: one drop of essential oil and waft under nostrils as required.
  
• Inhalation: traditional method of inhaling via a bowl containing hot water and oils with a towel over one’s head. Safety precautions need to be exercised. Two drops of oil in the bowl and inhale for 10min. This procedure is not recommended for asthmatic people. This method may also be used as a facial sauna for skin conditions.
  
• Vaporizer or diffuser: naked flames are prohibited within maternity units, however electrical vaporizers are most suited and safe for institutional use. One to two drops of essential oil is used and the vaporizer switched on for no more than 10–15min per hour to prevent over intoxication of the oils chosen. Where women may wish to vaporize essential oils at home via a device with a naked flame they should be advised of the correct usage and safety implications.
  

  Recommended reading
  

  Price S, Price L (2003).
  Aromatherapy for Health Professionals
  . Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  

  Tiran D (2000).
  Clinical Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Childbirth
  , 2nd edn. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, p.135.
  

  

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  CHAPTER 7
  Helping women cope with pregnancy
  

  128‌‌
  

  Bach flower remedies
  

  The Bach flower remedies (BFRs) were discovered by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s. He believed that much ill health and suffering was a result of emotional distress and imbalance. When negative emotions are expe- rienced, this also affects the proper functioning of the physical body. If negative emotions are left unresolved, then eventually ill health will occur. Dr Bach discovered 38 remedies, which he believed covered the full range of human emotions.
  

  The Bach system is a simple self-help therapy that can be used safely by all groups of people, including pregnant women and babies. The BFRs can be used safely alongside orthodox medicine.
  

  Using BFRs in pregnancy
  

  Confirmation of pregnancy often brings a range of conflicting emotions— joy, shock, disbelief, feeling unprepared, anger, overexcitement, and anxiety. Untimely decisions may have to be made, and even breaking the news can be stressful. For all the many emotional states that may occur, the BFRs may help to bring balance and stability.
  

• Walnut
  : may help with adjusting to the physical, emotional, and mental changes of pregnancy.
  
• Mimulus
  : may help with worries about pregnancy, what people might think; fear of medical tests or needle phobia.
  
• Honeysuckle
  : may help when there are regrets and fears about past birthing experiences.
  

  •
  Elm
  : may help if there is a sudden, overwhelming feeling of
  

  responsibilty to the prospect of motherhood.
  

• Red chestnut
  : may help when there is over-concern for the well-being of the fetus.
  
• Olive
  : may be useful for alleviating tiredness and exhaustion in early pregnancy.
  
• Scleranthus
  : may be helpful when there is difficulty in decision making,
  

  e.g. whether or not to have screening tests.
  

• Crab apple
  : for feeling unsightly or disgust of the pregnant state.
  
• Pine
  : for feelings of guilt, possibly harming the fetus in some way or neglecting other family members.
  
• Willow
  : if there is resentment about the pregnancy and the changes that are required, e.g. work, finances, etc.
  

  As pregnancy starts to draw to a close, the woman may again experience conflicting emotions:
  

• Gratitude that the pregnancy and its physical discomforts will soon be finished
  
• Most will hope that they do not go past their due date
  
• Some may feel unhappy that the pregnancy is coming to an end, due to the special relationship they have developed with the fetus
  
• Others may be fearful of labour looming, how they will cope, how painful it will be, whether the baby will be alright, and how their partner will cope.
  

  As a result many women find the final few weeks a time of anxiety and irritation.
  

  BACH FLOWER REMEDIES
  

  129
  

Because of the very special relationship that develops between a mother and her unborn child, it is believed that the positive and negative experiences during her pregnancy may affect the fetus too. Therefore using BFRs in pregnancy to help cope with all the ups and downs of emotions may also result in a remedial effect on the fetus.

Rescue remedy

Rescue remedy is a combination of five of the 38 remedies that Dr Bach formulated, to be taken as an emotional first-aid remedy at times of stress and anxiety. Very often this remedy is the means by which people first become introduced to the remedies through friends, family, or colleagues. People commonly take the rescue remedy to cope with demanding situa- tions, such as bereavement, going into hospital, visiting the dentist, medical

procedures, interviews, driving tests, giving a presentation, stressful work

or domestic situations, accidents, and operations. The rescue remedy contains the following: