New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Essential oils during the childbearing years-Ginger Oil

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.  Thus it may be good to use for a swollen perineum.  This can be added to a sitz bath afterwards along with lavender.  This may also be good to apply to a c-section wound to help reduce inflammation.

In one study I found, Ginger also decreased the length of the second stage of labor.

Ginger is safe to use in early pregnancy for morning sickness, but may need to be reapplied every 20m until symptoms subside.

Precautions:  May be irritating to sensitive skin.  It also can cause photosensitivity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20149584
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19061005
http://books.google.com/books?id=QGqkHpUM6MMC&pg=PA223&lpg=PA223&dq=Ginger:+an+essential+oil+for+shortening+labour?&source=bl&ots=uXZJXsz_N6&sig=8AchDlX9OpDR1mfTn3eXIieTKmA&hl=en&ei=civTTfWaKbPTiALmpdjkCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Ginger%3A%20an%20essential%20oil%20for%20shortening%20labour%3F&f=false
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11694755

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Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.