Clary Sage Oil - The Facts??

[xZoeyx]

Okay so this isn't intended too cause heated debate and I know there will be lots of women who have complete different opinions on the subject but I'm asking if any of you have actual facts from your midwives or advice from them in respect of using Clary Sage to induce labour.

Here is what I know so far/have been told..

My sister in law went into labour half an hour with both pregnancies after using Clary Sage as advised by her midwife

It's "apparently" more effective when rubbed onto the stomach (with a carrier oil such as grape seed or sweet almond)

Midwives trained in aromatherapy use Clary Sage to induce labour

It is not advised to use before your due date as it stimulates the uterus to contract, thus if your body or baby is not ready for labour, it could cause complications.

These are all what have been told by midwife

Now whether we like to admit it or not, 99% of us that reach 40 weeks, would like these babies out and will start trying self induction, what I don't get is people will try self induction in other ways or try sweeps (which are totally un natural and forceful!!) and yet won't try Clary Sage.. Makes no sense to me.

I would like to avoid induction for all of the obvious reasons, so as of my due date + 1, which is Wednesday next week, I will be trying Clary Sage.

So, does anyone else have any experience/facts with Clary Sage? Please only call them "facts" if you have been told by trained midwife etc.

And good luck to all those due their babes this month!! I hope you don't have to try and self induction techniques!

 

[Mummafrog]

Hello! I don't have much of an 'opinion' on the subject, but I am a student midwife in the UK and what I know is what I have seen on a birthing unit during my training

On the birthing unit (run by midwives) they use clary sage to bring on stronger contractions for ladies who are already in labour and who's contractions may have slowed down or are not quite strong enough to keep progressing. It is a step they can try before giving hormonal drugs. They give it by putting some on a folded piece of cloth and the woman will inhale it. From what I know just breathing it in is enough to cause uterine contractions.

I will definitely keep some in the cupboard for my labour I do not know anything about using it to induce labour however, so sorry if I'm not much help! I was hoping to find you some midwifery/healthcare guidelines on clary sage but there doesn't seem to be much around.. hmm.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes

 

[AP]

I've only used it in my second pregnancy, after due date. I was in no hurry (I had a 27weeker before) but I wondered if it would make things easier - i was in a lot of pain and couldnt leave the house. i steamed the bathroom up with running the bath with some drops in, one morning. I spent the rest of the day with some on a tissue. The contractions came that night. Coincidence, i don't know. But was no harm trying.

 

[xZoeyx]

Thanks for both replies.

I also forgot too add that midwife had said if your body is ready for labour and baby is ready but just being lazy then the contractions will be the real thing, however, if your baby and/or body is not ready then although you may get contractions, they will fizzle too nothing and nothing will happen as a result. (Whereas some people are of the opinion that it forces you to give birth even when not ready)

I won't be inhaling it, but will have a bath with a couple of drops in I think

 

[AP]

Oh - I didnt inhale it, i literally just carried it about god I smelt

 

[Mummafrog]

Haha yeah it's REALLY overpowering, it fills the ward when we use it in one room! Makes the midwives have period cramps too Obviously I've not been allowed near it since I got pregnant.

 

[xZoeyx]

I had heard that it's pretty potent stuff! Oh god lol!

Few more days and then I can start thinking about trying it if he hasn't showed his face before hand. I will definitely let you know the result once I've used it. I'll allow 24 hours after the bath for something to happen and we shall see!

 

[darcie]

My midwife told me to start using this at 37 weeks. I didn't go into labour early (I was 3 days late) but I did have a very good labour. I don't think it's intended to induce you. It's also very relaxing to have in your bath! X

 

[xZoeyx]

Are you sure it was Clary Sage Oil that she said was to help with labour? Cos from what Ive heard/read, they say Clary Sage is the exact opposite, and not designed to help cope with labour, but infact designed to intensify the contractions and bring them on if they keep fizzling out etc?

Pregnancy is a funny thing, we hear so many different stories, its a wonder if we ever get the real facts lol! Either way I will be trying it but not until 40 weeks or 40+1. I just don't want to risk my boy being born before he is fully cooked

 

[wish4baby]

I just used several drops in my Epsom salt bath last night (after walking 1.5 hrs).
It was so relaxing, it literally put me to sleep, and I haven't slept that peacefully for months! My DH said he could smell it on me (not a great smell!) and it made him drowsy & helped him sleep. I had exactly 3 contractions and no BH throughout the night (much less than usual these days)

The night before, no clary sage, I had contractions off and on all night, thought that was gonna be it! I hoped the walking and clary sage would make that move forward - it didn't.
I will keep trying, but I had really high hopes for the clary sage and it didn't live up to my expectations lol

 

[xZoeyx]

I don't want to get my hopes up for it working but its hard not too when nearly all the stories I have heard so far (but not all) have been that it has been successful!

I am due a sweep at 40+1 that I REALLY dont want, so I am going to try it on my due date I think and then again in the morning really early 40+1 as my sweep is early afternoon.

 

[wish4baby]

I know! I read all this amazing stuff about it, so I thought it was a sure thing lol!
I was even scared to touch it or open it before 37 weeks (or really 36+6 at about 10:30 pm). But, my hope is not completely gone. I'll try it again tonight, but this time on me with a carrier oil and we'll see.
And maybe, 37 is just too soon for baby...
40+1 (like you are planning) is much more reasonable!

 

[xZoeyx]

They do "say" it's more effective when applied directly too the skin with an oil!

I can't wait too try it

 

[pinkpassion]

Also I was told you have to make sure the brand you get is a good brand and that it's a pure grade organic oil... if it says "fragrance" anywhere on it it's not the real deal!!

 

[Mummafrog]

THAT ^ is very useful info, thanks!

 

[wish4baby]

Highly recommend Young Living for all your essential oils - best quality there is

 

[Mum_Of_Roodys]

Anyone used or know anything about borage oil / starflower seed oil ? Sorry to change subject but asking everywhere , I accidentally took too many and I'm scared to take them orally now will I have the same effects if I insert them instead ?? Xx

 

[xZoeyx]

I've bought proper oil not fragrance etc.

I've no experience with the oils you have mentioned Mum Of, sorry

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

Just learnt that clary safe oil is in the sex bomb bath ballistic from Lush so might need to get a couple of those for post 37 weeks.

 

[lovelylaura]

Used it both times. Did nothing for me. I will be using it again but to help ease contractions as i find the smell relaxing. Good luck.