Can You Take CBD Oil for Labour Pain? 

Are you expecting and hoping to opt for a natural birth? Holistic options have become more widely available in recent years. And, many women don’t want to rely on traditional pain relief anymore. What is the role of CBD oil for labour pain relief? We explore the facts about CBD oil during labour.

Labour pain is widely agreed to be one of the worst pains a person can experience. While traditional medicine, such as epidurals and C-sections, have made significant scientific gains when it comes to aiding birth, many women now prefer a more holistic approach. The dream of a natural birth has long been a tantalizing ideal sold to pregnant women. Especially for those who want to avoid invasive medical procedures and ingesting high levels of pharmaceutical drugs.

From Hypno-births to birthing pools, there is a vast range of holistic labour aids available. But what about an alternative pain relief? In their search for a pain-free birth, some women have turned to CBD to help with pregnancy, labour, and post-natal issues, such as pain while breastfeeding. So, is it useful to use CBD oil for labour pain? Expectant mothers read on – the answers may surprise you!

Why CBD Oil for labour pain?

CBD oil is a plant compound extracted from the hemp or cannabis plant. Not to be confused with THC, which has hallucinatory effects, CBD oil is mostly a muscle relaxant. Also, it can also cause feelings of mild euphoria and drowsiness. While it is widely recommended that pregnant women should not smoke cannabis, some pregnant women take small amounts of CBD oil. This is to take the edge off morning sickness, muscle aches, and breast pain. There are so many products to choose from, too. Pick from CBD tinctures, CBD massage oils, bath bombs or essential oils and more.

CBD oil in early labour

Some women take CBD oil for labour pain right from the start. Now, there are many different labour pain types. It is common for women to experience low level cramping in their back and uterus as their labour begins, for example. If you’re wondering how labour pain starts, many women liken the cramps to menstrual cramps. This usually signals the beginning of the birthing process. Small doses of CBD oil for labour pain may be useful at this stage. It could ease these early contractions without slowing down the progress of labour. Warm baths are already recommended to women in early labour. Hence, a CBD oil bath bomb or bubble bath could work wonders here.

CBD oil as a natural relief medication

As labour pain symptoms increase, many women experience severe cramps and intense muscle contractions. It might seem radical to use CBD oil for labour pain relief up to the point of delivery. However, historically speaking this is not so strange. Hemp products have been used for centuries in Middle Eastern and Chinese cultures to help women through labour. Traditional medical pain reliefs like epidurals, numb the lower part of the body through an injection of nerve-blocking drugs into the spine. Epidurals are safe and effective, but many women find the prospect of the massive injection daunting. Furthermore, as labour progresses, women can struggle to push the baby out if the muscles of their lower body are numb, and this can increase the likelihood of needing a C-section. For this reason, many women wish to avoid epidurals and opt for natural pain relief instead. 

Is CBD oil safe during labour?

Current FDA regulations do not advocate the use of CBD oil during pregnancy or the use of CBD oil for labour pain relief. Concerns over high doses of CBD, leading to potential fetal developmental problems circulate within the medical community, but there is currently little conclusive evidence in this field. Doctors advise that your baby will also ingest CBD products if consumed during pregnancy. It also remains in your system for several days after use so, during breastfeeding any CBD will be present in breast milk. However, doctors do prescribe cannabis medically for several other chronic pain and muscular conditions. There is no significant evidence that the compound is harmful to expectant mothers.

When selecting CBD products online, ensure you choose a reputable source and do not take products that contain THC. Remember, if you’re thinking of taking CBD oil for labour pain relief, consult your doctor or midwife before use and do what works best for you! A happy mama means a happy baby!

Try a CBD oil today

If you are thinking about trying CBD oil, and you’ve spoken to your doctor, always try a high quality product. We recommend the Love Hemp 1200mg CBD Oil to start. Why? Love Hemp oil is the largest CBD brand in the UK and is among the most trusted. Its products are of course THC free (we check the lab reports). This product also comes in spray format, in case the dropper isn’t for you. And there are multiple flavours to choose from. The most popular is fresh peppermint.

Try taking at a small dose for 4 weeks at least. Gradually raise your dose until you start feeling its balancing effect. Note the UK recommendation is not to exceed 70 mg of CBD per day. And remember, speak to a doctor about your CBD plans for the ultimate reassurance.

Author’s Bio: Rae Hudson is a mommy blogger and lifestyle coach from Ireland who specializes in holistic post-natal care. When she isn’t writing or helping new mamas, Rae loves to bake, cycle, and explore natural spaces with her family of five and her giant Irish Wolf Hound.