The Oily Doula

Certified International Childbirth Doula

As long as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to pregnancy, delivery, and infants. At my core, I love to walk alongside birthing persons as they welcome new life into the world.

I am certified as a Childbirth Doula from Childbirth International (CBI), a premier international training and certification organization for childbirth doulas and lactation consultants. Since my career transition from being an elementary school teacher to a certified childbirth doula in 2018, I have provided birth doula and postpartum support to women from many different countries and cultural backgrounds. I started my birth world career in Shanghai, China, where I gained significant experience with both water births and hospital deliveries.

My ability to understand the needs and desires of my clients, and go the extra mile for them, is what sets me apart. I also use my passion for natural products and essential oils to ground and empower my patients on emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Using Essential Oils through Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, and Postpartum

When used responsibly and under the guidance of a trained birth worker, essential oils are a powerful tool to help expecting mothers through every stage of pregnancy, labor & delivery, and for support through postpartum. Many of my patients have chosen to use these natural solutions through their experience, and have found great comfort in their effects and power in their ability to harness safe, natural products to address the aches, pains, stresses, and struggles that can be experienced.

This is where I get the most excited! I LOVE combining my two passions, assisting birthing persons through their journey and using essential oils to help people achieve their health and wellness goals. Below are a few tips and some of my favorite oils to assist an expecting mother through her journey. If you would like personalized coaching and assistance through your experience, please email me at tiffany@essentialhope.net.

  • Essential oils during pregnancy and delivery can be used aromatically (breathed in the air) or topically (applied to the skin).

    When used topically you want to be sure to dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil. You want to avoid using essential oils without dilution during pregnancy. Start with 1-2 drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil. After pregnancy you may use some essential oils as directed topically without dilution.

    Aromatic use of essential oils includes inhaling directly from the essential oil bottle or diffusing in the air.

    It is not recommended to ingest essential oils during pregnancy.

  • There are many essential oil manufacturers on the market, but there is no governing body over oils to ensure purity or quality of oils. Quality of essential oils is very important in regards to safety and effectiveness of oils.

    dōTERRA’s oils are CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade), which means that each bottle of oil has undergone a series of tests to monitor and evaluate its quality and purity; all overseen by third parties. You can login to sourcetoyou.com to learn more about how dōTERRA’s essential oils are sourced and manufactured.

    The recommendations I provide are for use with dōTERRA essential oils only, as the quality of these oils are known. dōTERRA does not claim to cure, prevent, or treat diseases. Essential oils are a lifestyle choice that can help your body function as it knows how to best.

My Favorite Essential Oils

For pregnancy, labor & delivery, and postpartum

  • You can use balance and wild orange aromatically and topically to help create a calming environment for labor and delivery. Use the rollerball provided to apply the blend on the back of mom’s neck, behind the ears, wrists, and bottom of feet. These oils can also be useful for laboring mom’s partner as well, or any support person. It will help mom’s support remain relaxed and provide mom an additional opportunity to experience the blend aromatically. You can also use this oil during pregnancy to help ease anxious feelings.

  • Do not use until 40 weeks as this oil does support contractions. Use the pre-diluted rollerball with Clary Sage essential oil on abdomen, lower back, and on the inside of the ankle bones as pictured below to support contractions.

    Clary Sage is a calming oil so it provides emotional support as well. It can also be used postpartum for cramping by placing on the lower abdomen. Make sure to apply a hot compress or heating pad and get plenty of rest.

  • Labor is called labor for a reason, it’s hard work! The Calm Mama Mist blend consists of Lavender, Wild Orange, and Peppermint essential oils combined with witch hazel. It can be used aromatically or topically to support mom during the labor process.

    The mist can be sprayed periodically on the back of the neck, shoulders, or in the immediate area. This blend can help cool you down both physically with Peppermint and emotionally with Lavender oil. The Wild Orange oil will help to uplift you and give you the energy to continue on in labor.

    This is another good blend for anyone supporting the laboring mother as well, to support stamina for duration of labor.

 

  • The period of dilating between 8-10 centimeters is referred to as transition. It is during this time that laboring mothers may begin to feel as though they can no longer push through. But they can!

    Use the Peppermint rollerball topically on the back of the neck to give the last push of energy needed to make it through the pushing stage of labor. The peppermint oil will also help cool mom down as she may begin to feel quite warm during this stage as well.

    Remember encouragement is also important during labor. You may find she needs more encouragement during this time. “You can and you are doing it, you are doing so well!! You’re almost there!”

    **Do not apply peppermint oil on or around breasts as it can in some cases decrease breast milk.

  • Deep Blue rub can be used topically in pregnancy and during labor to support any lower back pain. It can also help to reduce swelling in feet.

    Massage the rub on directly on sore muscles. It does have peppermint in the blend - therefore you should avoid use on or around breasts as peppermint can in some cases decrease breastmilk.

    Be sure to wash hands after applying the rub as the rub can burn your eyes if you get it into your eyes by accident!

    You can also use the easy application Deep Blue Stick that is infused with Copaiba oil to keep your hands clean.

  • dōTERRA created the Clary Calm oil specifically for women for emotional and hormonal support. This powerful oil blend is useful all year, but it can be very impactful postpartum during the stresses and emotions of new motherhood.

    Clary Calm only comes in an easy to use roller ball for topical application. You can bring it with you everywhere and use it whenever needed to experience its soothing and grounding effect.

Want to know more? I’d love to meet you.