Aromatherapy reduces stress and can help calm and soothe you. Here are some top essential oil picks to keep handy.

Melt Stress and Anxiety
100 ml Primavera’s Base Bath Oil
20 drops Lavender extra
5 drops Neroli

Use 2-3 spoonfuls of mixture for one bath. Enjoy.

Ease Labor Pains
30 ml Jojaba
2 drops Rose
2 drops Jasmine
2 drops Ylang Ylang
5 drops Clary Sage

Water in itself is relaxing during labor. Add this mixture to your waterbirth tub or bathtub and ease labor pains naturally during your childbirth. Making a compress and laying it on your body will also help.

Most midwives recommend perineal massages around 36 weeks of pregnancy. A perineal massage is a massage done to the vagina to gently tone the muscles in preparation for childbirth. This recipe moisturizes and tones the area making the perineum more supple and elastic. Use during the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy.

15 ml Almond Oil
5 ml Wheatgerm
2 drops Rose
5 drops Clary Sage

Learn how to perform a perineal massage.

Stretch marks are dreaded by every woman as she enters pregnancy. A key to preventing stretch marks is to keep stretch mark prone skin moisturized properly. Many store bought products are laden with chemicals, not good for use anytime let alone while you are with child. Use these natural rememdies twice a day to prevent stretch marks.

Wheatgerm Oil Base
20 ml Wheatgerm
50 ml Jojoba
30 ml Rosehip
20 drops Lavender Extra
5 drops Neroli
1 drop Rose Turkish

Sweet Almond Oil Base
100 ml Sweet Almond Oil
15 drops Rosewood
2 drops Rose Turkish

Do you want to share your pregnancy or birth experience with other mothers? You can share it here! Click on the ‘comments’ link and write your story.

Waterbirth is another safe, gentle birth choice available either at home, a birthing center and some hospitals. Waterbirths have been happening since at least the 1700’s when scientists realized the value of hydrotherapy during labor and birth. Most women desire a waterbirth because it helps them get through the pain of labor and birth. Many mothers report no use of medications during a waterbirth.

There are many advantages for a mother having a waterbirth. The first significant advantage is the relief the water provides is much safer than an epidural. Some studies show a reduction in labor time, though this is probably very individual to the birthing mother. Sitting in water does provide more mobility during labor so the laboring woman can position herself more comfortably and the water can allow a deeper relaxation which allows the appropriate hormones to kick in like they want to. The fluidity of the water can also help reduce tissue and perineal damage during a waterbirth, resulting in less inflammation from stitches. Read more…