| "Aromatherapy is an entirely individual treatment | | | | tune into their bodies. This helps them feel more |
| aimed at making each mother feel her very best. | | | | connected to their babies and will help them bond |
| It can be used to help prevent or cope with | | | | with their babies in a deeper way. |
| problems that may arise in pregnancy or very | | | | "After an aromatherapy massage, a mother will |
| early motherhood. Mothers can turn to | | | | often report a feeling of extreme peace and |
| aromatherapy for very different reasons, and in | | | | well-being. Her face may take on a look of |
| each case, it will be appropriate and | | | | tranquility. The massage can also help to relieve |
| beneficial."-Allison England, R.N., Aromatherapy and | | | | the tensions in her life." -- Allison England, R.N., |
| Massage for Mother and Baby. In her book, she | | | | Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby. |
| lists several ways that aromatherapy can help | | | | Obviously, no essential oil will take away the |
| mothers-to-be... | | | | mother's problems, but in helping her relax deeply, |
| Fatigue | | | | it helps make it easier to deal with them, and to |
| It can help with the fatigue and the aches and the | | | | manage any other stress that comes along. |
| pains that can be constant companions during the | | | | Labor |
| pregnancy. Using essential oils also can be a | | | | England recommends both ylang ylang and |
| natural way to deal to any minor illnesses that | | | | geranium for use during delivery. They both are |
| occur during the pregnancy. | | | | calming and soothing and good for anyone feeling |
| Anxiety | | | | anxious or fearful. It has been suggested that |
| It can help relieve any anxiety the mother feels | | | | geranium is like a warm, nurturing, motherly hug, |
| and help deepen relaxation. Stress is not good for | | | | which makes it seem even more appropriate to |
| expectant moms; anything they feel affects their | | | | use during such a maternal moment. |
| babies. Aromatherapy can help mothers maintain | | | | The author warns, however, that if you are |
| a positive attitude and hopeful outlook. | | | | planning a home birth, you should avoid using the |
| Stretch Marks | | | | oils in the water, because they could wind up |
| Added to a lotion or carrier oil, it can provide a | | | | getting into the baby's eyes. But during the early |
| way to prevent the stretch marks that | | | | stages of labor, lavender could be used in a |
| sometimes accompany pregnancy. | | | | massage or a bath oil. Once your baby arrives, |
| Massage | | | | you also can do baby massages using essential |
| Aromatherapy massages are very therapeutic, | | | | oils, so from the beginning of pregnancy through |
| both short-term and long-term. It helps deepen | | | | the early stages of infancy, aromatherapy can |
| relaxation, but also helps mothers connect and | | | | benefit both mother and baby. |