Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Aromatherapy in pregnancy... caring for you and your baby
During pregnancy, self-care is more important than ever.
Essential oils and pregnancy can help you relax (very important!) and deal with some of pregnancy's uncomfortable symptoms.
For many women, nausea, fatigue, stretch marks and swelling are a normal part of pregnancy.
Using aromatherapy recipes for pregnancy won't cure the discomfort, but it can help ease symptoms and support a positive attitude -
especially when you're feeling as big as a house!
Before we get into the recipes, I want to take a moment to talk about essential oils pregnancy safety.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy: Choosing Safe Essential Oils
During pregnancy, everything you eat and put on your skin filters through to your baby.
Essential oils can have a powerful effect on our bodies.
Some essential oils contain plant hormones, while others strongly
affect the central nervous system, which makes them unsafe for use during pregnancy.
You may want to talk to a certified Aromatherapist before using aromatherapy in pregnancy.
There are many different opinions regarding which essential oils are safe for pregnancy and which are not.
The following guidelines provide a safe, workable rule of thumb.
- For the first trimester, do not apply any essential oils to your skin.
Use unscented, all-natural body lotions, oils and bath products to help relax and relieve discomfort.
- During the second and third trimesters, use aromatherapy bath and body products at
half the normal strength.
- Avoid using these essential oils on your skin at any time during pregnancy:
Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood, Sage and Thyme.
- Use an aromatherapy diffuser
throughout your pregnancy to help deal with pregnancy symptoms and to support relaxation.
And now... On to the recipes!
Click on the links below or scroll down to find some essential oil recipes, tips for using aromatherapy in pregnancy,
plus some helpful suggestions for relaxation and postpartum issues.
Insomnia
Fatigue
Relaxation
Postpartum Issues
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Morning Sickness, Nausea and Heartburn
For morning sickness, put three drops of grapefruit or
peppermint essential oil into a saucer with water and keep it on your bedside table.
You may find that waking up to these scents helps reduce nausea.
For a quick fix during the day, fold a tissue into a small square and add three drops of peppermint essential oil.
Inhale as needed for either nausea or heartburn. Or mist your face with a refreshing spritz of peppermint hydrosol (floral water).
Grapefruit and peppermint essential oils are also good choices for using in your
aromatherapy diffuser along with chamomile, coriander and ginger (a mix of ginger and mint is nice.)
Make your own aromatherapy inhaler by putting a
teaspoon of salt into a very small
dark glass or PET plastic bottle and add 15 drops of peppermint essential oil (actually, any oil that works for you will do!)
Uncap the bottle and sniff whenever you need to.
It's safe to drink herbal teas such as peppermint,
chamomile or ginger during pregnancy because they're not so concentrated as essential oils. Try some - it just might work!
Native Remedies offers a couple of helpful homeopathic remedies for digestive upsets:
Good Morning Mama Granules for nausea and morning sickness, and
QueaseX Anti Nausea Drops for nausea, vomiting, constipation and gas.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Stretch Marks and Itchy Skin
There's no guarantee that you can avoid stretch marks - BUT you can help minimize them by keeping your skin supple.
After the first trimester, make your own aromatherapy belly oil by adding five drops of mandarin or lavender
essential oil to a tablespoon (15ml) of sweet almond, jojoba or calendula oil.
Gently rub it on your belly, thighs and lower back.
Or make a rich,
skin-repairing body butter (without the essential oils) and use it every morning and night.
For constipation use the belly oil to massage your stomach in a clockwise direction.
This follows the natural movement of your colon and may help move things along.
Native Remedies offers a nice
StretchEasy Formula to prevent stretchmarks, improve skin tone, flexibility and elasticity.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Back Pain
From the second trimester onward, lower backache is a common problem.
Try a massage using the belly oil recipe above. (Optional: Replace the lavender with chamomile essential oil.)
Ask a partner to gently rub the aromatherapy massage pregnancy oil into your back from your tailbone to your shoulders.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Swollen Feet
Achy, swollen feet are normal during the later part of pregnancy -
after all, your feet are carrying two people!
For a relaxing foot massage add two to three drops of mandarin oil to half a tablespoon
sweet almond or calendula oil
and gently massage it into your aching feet.
This is a perfect opportunity for your partner and friends to support you -
there's nothing better than a massage when you're feeling all achy and cranky!
Or give yourself a soothing foot soak by adding five drops lavender essential oil to one-third of a
cup of Dead Sea salt and one liter of water. Finish the treatment with a gentle foot massage... aaahhh!
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Insomnia
Use an aromatherapy diffuser
in your bedroom to create a calm, sleep-inducing atmosphere.
Try using chamomile, lavender, frankincense or mandarin essential oil.
During the second and third trimesters, use your aromatherapy belly oil every night before bed.
Lavender is especially good for helping to relax both your body and your mind.
Insomnia Quick Trick: Place two drops of lavender essential oil on your hand and rub it onto your pillowcase.
Its peaceful scent will dissipate around you, lulling you into a deep, restful sleep.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Fatigue
For an afternoon pick-me-up, try citrus essential oils. Peppermint is also good here.
Place three drops lemon, peppermint or grapefruit essential oil on a folded tissue and inhale its reviving scent to feel uplifted and refreshed.
Alternatively, follow the directions above for making your own aromatherapy inhaler,
using peppermint, lemon, bergamot or grapefruit.
This is also a good time to use your aromatherapy diffuser.
Stick with the citrus or mint essential oils and fill your house with their energizing aromas.
Click here for some uplifting diffuser blends.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Relaxation and Stress Relief
Caring for yourself is caring for your baby.
Relaxation is not only important during pregnancy but is also a powerful tool for creating a positive birth experience.
Aromatherapy massage in pregnancy is wonderful for relaxing muscles and easing your sore back and swollen feet.
While you lie on your side, your partner can give you a back and neck massage.
If you're more comfortable sitting up, you can get an arm or leg massage... a hand and foot massage... a VERY gentle tummy massage...
Make your own soothing, comforting aromatherapy massage pregnancy oil by adding five drops of rose essential oil to a tablespoon (15ml) of
carrier oil such as sweet almond, calendula or jojoba.
Or try this calming, pain-relieving blend: (AFTER the second trimester!) three drops petitgrain,
three drops lavender, two drops frankincense in one tablespoon carrier oil.
Essential Oils and Pregnancy
Aromatherapy for Postpartum Issues
Postpartum issues like fatigue, depression and poor sleep are common to many new mothers.
Now is finally the time to really unleash the powers of aromatherapy!
Note: This is not to say that aromatherapy will "cure" depression or other serious postpartum health problems.
When in doubt, see your doctor.
Click here for full disclaimer.
Depression
Use your aromatherapy diffuser regularly to boost your spirits and your energy.
For a happy-making aromatherapy diffuser blend use 4 to 6 drops bergamot, 3 to 5 drops grapefruit, 2 to 4 drops lemon and 1 drop rose geranium essential oil.
Click here for more great diffuser blends.
You can also try homepathic remedies for postpartum blues.
PureMother Flower Essence promotes natural mothering instincts, improves mood and reduces baby blues.
NewMama Drops increase health and vitality after childbirth, including hormone balance.
Pain Relief
Now is the perfect time to soak your tired, achy body in a nice warm, relaxing aromatherapy bath.
Epsom Salts are especially good for healing pain and inflammation, and combined with pain-relieving
essential oils, they pack a powerful healing punch.
Get in the tub! Click here for some healing aromatherapy bath salt recipes.
For additional pain relief, check out Native Remedies'
Birth-Heal, a homeopathic remedy which promotes fast recovery and healing after childbirth (including Caesarean) or their
Easiotomy Cream, which soothes and heals the perineum after delivery.
Natural Remedies for Pregnancy
In addition to essential oils and pregnancy, you can get some help from herbal supplements.
Native Remedies carries some good
natural remedies for pregnancy discomfort.
What Next?
To expand your knowledge of essential oils and pregnancy, take a look at some excellent related topics, such as...
Essential Oil Use Chart
Aromatherapy for Depression
Aromatherapy Stress Reduction
Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes
Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Essential Oils and Pregnancy
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