(Prodded by a third party to look at j4's LJ, hence reading weeks-old posts.)
I think that might be the OBU study I took part in. I used lavender and peppermint oils during labour, and frankincense during the caesarean, despite no particular interest or belief in aromatherapy - I didn't consider it at all before it was offered by the midwives, but I didn't see an obvious reason to refuse either. Lavender was relaxing and distracting during contractions - "ooh, I could be in the garden instead of here"; peppermint actually did stop me feeling sick, but then it had done all the way through pregnancy, mostly in the form of Polos; and frankincense was pleasant enough and I suspect worked mostly because they had me inhaling deeply from my cupped hands, which is a known anti-panic technique with or without added scents. So I would say my conclusion is 'if it smells nice to you there and then, why not?' rather than 'hey, this stuff is brilliant, try it'. :)
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Date: 2011-03-28 11:46 am (UTC)I think that might be the OBU study I took part in. I used lavender and peppermint oils during labour, and frankincense during the caesarean, despite no particular interest or belief in aromatherapy - I didn't consider it at all before it was offered by the midwives, but I didn't see an obvious reason to refuse either. Lavender was relaxing and distracting during contractions - "ooh, I could be in the garden instead of here"; peppermint actually did stop me feeling sick, but then it had done all the way through pregnancy, mostly in the form of Polos; and frankincense was pleasant enough and I suspect worked mostly because they had me inhaling deeply from my cupped hands, which is a known anti-panic technique with or without added scents. So I would say my conclusion is 'if it smells nice to you there and then, why not?' rather than 'hey, this stuff is brilliant, try it'. :)