Aromatherapy Dos & Don’ts During Pregnancy

Do’s

According to the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) exposure to the best quality therapeutic essential oils can present very little to no hazard. Some good advice for essential oils and pregnancy below.

It is recommended to avoid essential oil blends that contain more than 3 oils.

During pregnancy with its sense of smell and skin sensitivities using many oils make it difficult to determine which oil might negatively affect you.

Start with just one oil, then slowly add to your aromatherapy repertoire.

Always dilute any essential oil you’re applying.

Mix a drop in a teaspoon (5ml) of organic fat-soluble base/carrier oil, such as grapeseed, jojoba, apricot, or sweet almond oil.

When using essential oils in a bath, no more than 4 drops should be added to the base oil before adding to the bath water.

Essential oils pregnancy they do go together

Consider waiting until the second trimester to use essential oils.

That’s because essential oils are capable to cross the placental barrier and have the potential to affect the fetus.

The essential oils should be used at a minimum for the first trimester, on an as-needed only basis.

If you are considering using them in early pregnancy, make sure to consult your doctor.

You can use AromaSense Meditation and/or Fatigue Free blends.

Ginger essential oil relieves nausea, heartburn, muscle pain, and colds. Lemon, lime, and spearmint can treat upset stomachs.

Address anxiety and headaches, skin irritations, backache, and allergy symptoms with lavender. It also can prevent early labour.

Alleviate muscle aches, muscle spasm, emotional upset, and cold sores with bergamot. It also helps to reduce fevers.

Tackle restlessness with the soothing properties of ylang ylang, vetiver, and sandalwood.

Consider using aromatherapy during delivery, there are many safe essential oils to address pain and calm the emotions.

Clary sage is great during labour as it helps contractions. Massage onto lower back and stomach (10 ml sweet almond oil, 5 drops clary sage)

Jasmine, clary sage and lavender (blended in carrier oil) are beneficial to rub the back and tummy to lessen the contraction pain and clary sage helps keep contractions going.

To sooth nerves it is helpful to diffuse lavender or bergamot and lemon.

The three oils can be added to birth bath (first diluted in carrier oil): absolutely no harm for baby.

Geranium is also balancing nerves when used in a diffuser.

Lavender spray is calming.

Frankincense can help with expulsion of placenta.

Don’t

Don’t use the same oil for a long period of time, for example, every day for several weeks.

If you have a concern with oils, do not use them.

Do not use certain oils such as cinnamon, clove, peppermint, juniper, rosemary, black pepper, basil, oregano and thyme at all during pregnancy.

Some are overstimulating and may cause contractions or preterm labour, while others may thin the blood.

You can find a list of oils to stay away from on the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) site.

When in doubt, consult your doctor or a certified aromatherapist.

Do not apply essential oils undiluted to skin or take any internally.

Do not use essential oils if you have a sensitive medical history such as miscarriage, any vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy, epilepsy, heart problems, diabetes, blood clotting problems, or thyroid, liver, or kidney disease.

Plants essences are powerful medicine, but it doesn’t mean they are 100% safe, you still need to use them the safe way.

If you consider using the essential oils, the best way is to acquire a blend from a certified aromatherapist.

We have developed a few blends to use safely during pregnancy, Meditation and Fatigue Free are great essential oils and pregnancy.

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