28/04/2026
Aromatherapy! *Long post but worth it!
Many people choose to use aromatherapy 🌸 during their pregnancy and more often during their labour. We see this often when supporting women with their home or low risk birth.
In recent years the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) placed some restrictions on how midwives use aromatherapy in their work and we in the The Cygnet Homebirth Team abide by that. However, that does not mean you cannot use aromatherapy if you have sought appropriate advice and are using pure organic 🌱 essential oil, for your pregnancy & labour.
Aromatherapy can help calm anxiety, help you feel grounded and relaxed, and compliment the other methods of non-medicated pain relief you use, such as using movement, TENS, hypnotherapy, humming/singing, dancing, massage, water and warmth.
The RCM (Royal College of Midwives) sets it out very clearly for us, so we can support you and your birth partner, with your chosen use;
Many natural remedies (NRs) can be purchased over the counter for self-administration, including
herbal medicines and teas, essential oils and
homeopathy. Each complementary therapy and natural remedy system has a distinct mechanism of action, with specific indications, contraindications
and precautions, as well as possible side-effects and complications when used inappropriately.
It is estimated that between 36% and 70% of
expectant and birthing parents’ access CTs, either from independent practitioners or, more commonly, by self-administering NRs, often without the knowledge of their caregivers (Bowman et al 2018).
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) intrapartum guideline recommends that aromatherapy, acupressure and hypnosis should not
be proactively offered, but if women wish to receive massage from their partner or use other CTs and NRs they should be supported in their choices (NICE 2014:1.3.10; 1.8.2; 1.8.3; 1.8.8).
Midwives should be aware of NICE recommendations and appreciate the variable evidence for effectiveness. It is paramount that they also take account of the growing evidence of possible risks
and safety issues (see Tiran 2018).
CTs and NRs should never be viewed as
replacements for adequate monitoring and care by appropriately qualified maternity professionals and should always be used in conjunction with conventional midwifery or obstetric care. It is therefore imperative that midwives have a basic knowledge and appreciation of both the benefits
and the risks of CTs and NRs so they can provide accurate, comprehensive, safe and, where possible, evidence-based information to women (NMC 2018).
So tell us, what was/is your favourite aromatherapy scent or blend to use? 💜
