How to Use Olive Oil During Labor

Olive oil isn't just for cooking -- it can also be a helpful component of a healthy pregnancy and labor. You can start doing perineal massage with olive oil when you're 34 weeks pregnant to help prevent tearing during birth. It can also assist you in becoming familiar with the natural stretching that occurs during birth, according to the University of Michigan, School of Nursing. Olive oil can also be used with aromatherapy during labor. Essential oils help with various parts of labor, according to YourChildbirthGuide.com, and mixing these oils with olive oil helps to prevent skin sensitivity, notes Joy Within Birth Services.

Instructions

  1. Perineal Massage

    • 1

      Get into a comfortable position and apply olive oil to your thumbs and your perineum. Your partner can do this for you if you'd prefer.

    • 2

      Position your thumbs by inserting them about an inch into your vagina and press down toward your rectum and to the sides until you feel a tingling or burning feeling. Hold this position for about two minutes, or until the area feels numb.

    • 3

      Practice breathing slowly and deeply while relaxing those muscles. Continue pressing down on the perineum area, while gently and slowly massaging your vagina from side to side for 3 minutes. Relax, then complete these steps once more. Continue doing this massage for 10 minutes each day.

    Aromatherapy

    • 4

      Massage olive oil mixed with peppermint oil onto your lower back to help relieve back labor pain.

    • 5

      Mix some olive oil with jasmine essential oil and massage onto your abdomen or lower back to help with pain management and increase the effectiveness of contractions.

    • 6

      Apply some olive oil mixed with clary sage essential oil to your ankles to keep your labor moving along. This can also help with pain.

    • 7

      Combine rose essential oil with olive oil and massage it onto your lower back or abdomen to soften and relax your ligaments, which can make it easier for your baby to pass through the pelvis.

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