Your Five Senses in Labor - Smell
Average Read Time: 3-5 minutes
Smell is such a personal preference, and one that can change dramatically during and throughout pregnancy! It can also have a deep impact on helping you feel safe, respected and loved throughout labor.
Story time: I once had a client who insisted that throughout pregnancy she developed an aversion to all smells. During a prenatal, I even wrote a note in all caps: “NO SMELLS” so that I remembered not to offer anything with a scent attached. And then, labor happened. She was pushing, and her hair was in her face, so I offered her a headband from my doula bag. Turns out, that headband had been near some lavendar essential oil. I was nervous handing it to her… would she throw it away immediately? I didn’t have another solution for her hair (too short for a hair tie, too short to braid, etc.). But as I handed her the headband, she took a deep breath and immediately I saw her shoulders relax. She looked at me and said, “Wow that lavendar smells so good! Can we have a bit more of that?” I put some drops on a washcloth by her face, and throughout her pushing, she would breathe in the lavendar smell to catch her breath in between contractions. Who knew that lavendar would be the thing that she needed to push her baby out?
Smells in labor vary widely. There’s the smell of blood, the smell of pee (side note: please make sure you’re peeing a lot in labor! My recommendation is that you’re drinking enough that you have to go every 30 minutes), the smell of vomit, the smell of poop (yes, poop). Most of these smells we can help go away as fast as possible. But I don’t want to lie to you and say that the room is going to be smell-less throughout labor! Helping you navigate those smells is something that can make the difference between comfort and discomfort during your labor process.
One of my first recommendations is essential oils! I carry many different oils in my doula bag, because everyone has a different preference when it comes to smell. Some people find lavender and eucalyptus calming, others want orange or lemon to energize them, and some like clary sage to cover the bodily smells that arise during labor. Studies have shown that aromatherapy can actually reduce stress and pain during labor! Choosing your own smells is personal, but Boston Medical Center actually came up with a list of the benefits of specific smells - check this out here to help you plan.
Now, how to get the essential oils in your labor room is important. I do not recommend a diffuser in labor - you never know if the smell that brings comfort is going to switch and immediately bring nausea instead! My recommendation is to put a few drops of essential oil on a washcloth and put it near the head of the laboring person. That way, if the smell starts to be awful, it can be thrown in the “soiled linens” bin immediately! This also allows you to change smells as labor changes. Maybe lavender is used in early labor for calm and rest, and peppermint is used during transition to keep the laboring person focused. It’s your choice to use oils however will best support you.
Another smell that I use often in labor is alcohol wipes! Yes, the small packets that we wipe our wounds with can be extremely helpful in labor. The way I use this most is to help with nausea. Nausea and vomiting are both very normal throughout the labor process, but one doesn’t need to endure it without support! Holding an alcohol wipe under someone’s nose can help them catch their breath and help nausea abate. If you don’t have a doula (I keep alcohol wipes in my pockets at all times during labor), ask your nurse to give your support people some wipes pre-emptively.
Ok, you’re now sold on thinking about smells prenatally, right? Here are some questions that might help you plan for how to use smell to create a unique environment for your labor.
How have you used essential oils, candles, incense or other smells to help you cope with stressful situations in the past? Both before and during pregnancy?
Are there any smells that need to be avoided at all costs?
How do you feel about the bodily smells that may come up in labor? Are there certain smells you want to make sure you avoid (vomit, poop, etc.)? How will your birth team help you advocate for your preferences and needs?
I hope these questions and this blog help you start to think about your relationship to smell and how it can play a role in tailoring your labor for you! Want help in planning? Have ideas about smell I should add to this blog? Reach out to me here!
Citations:
The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in the Management of Labor Pain and Anxiety: A Systematic Review
