I originally formulated these blends for myself over five years ago they have since become ones used by pregnant woman, midwives and doulas all over the country.

Nausea Spray

1. In four ounces of distilled water in a spray bottle add 20 drops Spearmint 15 drops Lemon Essential oil 5 drops Sweet Orange Essential oil.
2. Shake well and mist air when feeling nauseas.

You can also try using Ginger, Neroli and Rosewood to find a mixture that works for you.

Leg Cramp Oil

This is great for leg cramps, varicose veins, varicosities and sore backs.

2 ounces St. John’s Wort Oil.
5 Drops Neroli.
5 Drops Grapefruit Essential oil.
This leg oil is fabulous. This is so soothing and relaxing on tired muscles.

Belly Balm – Stretch Mark Prevention Oil

This oil feels so wonderful going on. It is smooth, moisturizing and it can really help with itching that often becomes present when our skin starts stretching.

In a double boiler melt
1 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup Cocoa Butter
1/8 cup Apricot, Almond or Grapeseed Oilv 1/8-cup Kukui nut oil, Shea Butter or Mango Butter ( I love using Mango Butter)
When the oils are all melted, allow it to cool and add the essential oils and pour into another container for the mixture to be stored in.
10-20 drops Sandalwood (try to find an ethical source)
15 drops Patchouli
15 Drops Sweet Orange

You can try varying amounts of oils and types of essential oils but I love this combination. You can also use Rosewood, Rose, Lavender, Tangerine and Neroli. Massage all over thighs, breasts, stomach and everywhere else that needs nourishing and moisturizing. I have also used this on my face, living in the Green Mountains we get frigid winds and my fair skin often needs a protector.

Labor Mists

Relax and Focus
This is a relaxing blend to promote clarity and focus.
In a four-ounce spray bottle almost fill it with distilled water.

Add
20 drops Grapefruit essential oil 15 drops Sweet Orange Essential oil 10 drops Spearmint Essential oil Shake well and mist labor room, or you can make a compress using a wet cloth and misting the cloth, apply to forehead or the laboring Moms back. This mist is great for Dad too.

Transition can be a trying and tiring time for the mother. We want to support her and use a mist blend that will ground, calm and help uplift her spirits.

Add water to mister container as above and add 15 drops Mandarin 10 drops Bergamot 10 drops Lavender 10 drops Clary Sage

This is a strong blend and it should be used away from the mother. Never spray the mother directly. The point of using mists during labor is to be as non invasive as possible. Every person is different and their needs are individual and different also. Make sure that you understand the person you are making the blend for. The wrong blend can assault the senses and we must all realize in our need to help we make may something not so beautiful for the mother.

Disclaimer- Use essential oils with education and care. Research each oil before use, especially with pregnancy, labor, and children’s health.

About the Author
Demetria Clark is the Director of Heart of Herbs Herbal School in Vermont. She is also a Labor support doula and mom to two great boys.

Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell you that colic is one of the most excruciating experiences ever imaginable. Nothing is worse than seeing one’s baby in pain and not being able to help take it away. Finding relief for colic quickly becomes a top priority. There are many different colic remedies that may come to the rescue for your particular baby. Each baby is unique and may only respond to some or a combination of colic remedies. Unfortunately, parents may have to use the old trial and error method to determine which provide the greatest amount of relief for their little colic sufferer. One thing is certain…the days of “waiting it out” are long gone for those determined to find an answer. There is no need to suffer needlessly along with baby. If you’ve tried all proper feeding and burping techniques and baby is still crying, try the following list of the most effective remedies available:

#1 Music / Sound – Traditional lullabies, classical music composed for infants and heartbeat/womb CDs are very popular external remedies that relax many babies suffering from colic. You can find some particularly good ones at the SlumberSounds web site. Some parents have had great success by placing baby in carseat on top of running dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or near running vacuum cleaner. A gentle “shhhhhhh”ing sound in baby’s ear can work magic, as can soft whispers and humming or singing.

#2 Diet – Bottlefed babies with colic may show improvement if switched to a different formula, such as soy. The mothers of breastfed babies may have to pay close attention to their own diet to make sure that babies are not having negative reactions to certain foods. Try eliminating the following common culprits one at a time for a week to see if there are any signs of improvement for baby: dairy, caffeine, chocolate and gas-producing foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, peppers, melons, tomatoes, citrus fruits, beans and peanuts.

#3 Gripe Water – Be sure to check the ingredients before buying a gripe water. Many claim to be natural but include artificial ingredients and preservatives. Colicky infants’ digestive systems certainly do not need any of these potential irritants. Some gripe waters are not very helpful. There is a new, very effective and safe gripe water on the market called ColicCalm, which you can purchase online at Colic Calm Gripe Water. It has the highest success rate on the market.

#4 Warm Aromatherapy Bath / Massage – Add a few drops of lavender to a warm bath and follow with the soothing touch of massage. Focus massage on the tummy area to relieve painful trapped gas. You can research baby massage techniques on the web or pick up a book on the subject. A good one to try is The Practical Art of Baby Massage by Peter Walker. You can buy lovely lavender, chamomile and fennel massage oils specifically designed for baby massage on the Web. There is also a popular baby massage tool called “Snukkles” which may work well for you.

#5 Swaddling – Babies are often soothed when swaddled or held close to a parents chest and heartbeat since they are reminiscent of the comfort and safety of the womb. Newborn babies are soothed in nurseries with swaddling. Techniques on folding soft, stretchy blankets are easy to learn. Find instructions and diagrams online or pick up a book/ magazine on the topic. A good ready-made wrap to try is “Swaddleme”, easy to find on the Web.

#6 Motion – Walking, rocking and movement are very comforting to most infants. The good old rocking chair may be all it takes. Some parents have been known to push stroller or drive around in car until baby falls asleep. Try putting baby in an infant chest carrier or sling so that your hands can be free. Walk with baby facing down across arm with hand under abdomen, applying gentle pressure. This position is often referred to as “the colic hold”. Many babies like to be outdoors. Almost all babies love swings. Try a combination of the above to see what helps soothe baby the best.

About the Author:
After experiencing colic firsthand, it fast became this mother and educators mission to conduct extensive research on colic towards finding a solution. This article outlines some useful techniques including music, motion, swaddling, gripe water, and diet.