There is no doubt that pregnancy is one of the most precious times in your life.....so its important that we are mindful of what we put on and into our bodies.... this can be said for Essential Oils and all other products.
Luckily there is a wealth of information... and studies surrounding what is safe and what should be avoided during pregnancy. So I have chosen the work of The Essential Midwife - Stephanie Fritz direct from her video in The Empowered Life Series as my basis and then added alternate suggestions from other reputable sources that compliment the post.
Studies have shown that the number of infants hospitalised in the NICU is significantly lower for women enjoying aromatherapy during labour which further supports that using essential oils during labour is safe and effective." (Eric Zielinski DC)
NOTE: Please communicate with your Midwives in regard to using and diffusing Essential Oils during labour and post partum care. Let them know your wishes but respect that the labour ward is their workplace and its a decision made together. The nicest part about diffusing is that everyone in the room benefits from the calming and soothing affects.
There are many oils listed in this post..... but its not necessary to have each and every oil.... you may find you get all the support you need from a very small selection.
Notes on purity and sourcing-
- Not all Essential Oils are of the same quality. Sadly if you read any of the work on the APRC (Aromatic Plant Research) website .. you will see from their testing that up to 9O% of all oils tested are adulterated in some way. I use and recommend doTERRA oils because of their 100% purity. doTERRA rigorously test at every stage...from sourcing through to the final product. You can read more about their testing on the 'Source to You' website.
- doTERRA oils are sourced from their indigenous locations worldwide ... where they are grown and harvested in a sustainable and ethical way that supports farmers and entire communities. This results in high quality oils with increased therapeutic values.
- If you are wanting information on how to purchase any of the Essential Oils mentioned in this post I would be happy to chat with you about options... maybe you only need an oil or two...whatever you need I am happy to help. You can read more HERE
Safe usage throughout pregnancy?
- Always dilute oils with a carrier oil .. Carrier oils are the safest way to use Essential Oils topically... they allow a slow .. sustained release. I recommend fractionated coconut oil because it has no aroma and absorbs quickly into the skin.
- A greater dilution is suggested throughout pregnancy - in a 10ml Roller 1 - 3 drops Essential Oil with FCO.
- The Essential Midwife suggests making use of the doTERRA Touch range that is pre-diluted and ready to use.
- Do not use Clary Sage throughout pregnancy - it doesn't initiate contractions but it does strengthens the contractions ...so its a fabulous oil to use throughout labour... but not during pregnancy. (Clary Calm the blend is however safe to use...and a beautiful relaxing and hormone balancing oil - recommended by the Essential Midwife)
( Pregnancy Support )
some suggestions for supporting your body on a cellular level throughout the pregnancy.
- Life Long Vitality Supplements - TGA Approved and your complete supplement package including all the omegas .. nutrients and antioxidants.
- Terrazyme and PB Assist - (both available through the US store)... help support connective tissue and digestion.
Now lets tackle some of the little issues that may occur throughout pregnancy....
Oils to consider for Morning Sickness support ?
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Cardamon
- Digestzen
- Lemon
- Diffuse or Inhale from the bottle (or inhaler) Add a drop to a tissue and inhale.
- Use topically - dilute - 1-3 drops of selected oil in 10mls of carrier oil - apply around the ear and around the jaw bone. Also on the reflex points on the feet.
- Lemon oil alone inhaled from a tissue is said to be great for reducing nausea
Oils to consider for Pregnancy Exhaustion support ?
- Roman Chamomile
- Frankincense
- Wild Orange
- Lavender
- Citrus Bliss - beautiful diffused.
- Use Roman Chamomile / Frankincense / Lavender as a topical blend for soothing and calming and for restful sleep.
- Diffuse the suggested oils for relaxation.
Oils to consider for Swollen Ankles ?
- Citrus Oils - like Grapefruit
- Cypress
- Aromatouch
Ways to use these:
- Massage the lower legs with 1-2 drops of chosen oil diluted in carrier oil
- The Essential Life Book - Massage 2 drops Ginger, 2 drops Cypress and 2 drops Lavender diluted with 10 mls of carrier oil - massage legs and feet.
Oils to consider for Stretch Marks ?
- Salubelle Blend (The perfect blend of oils - supports on a cellular level)
- Lavender
- Helichrysum
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
Ways to use these:
- Dilute Salubelle Blend - 1/4 a bottle into a 10ml rollerball filled with FCO - roll onto stretch marks daily.
- Essential Life Recipe - 2 drops each of Helichrysum, Lavender and Myrrh diluted with carrier oil in a 10ml Rollerball and rolled onto stretch marks.
( Labour )
Oils to support during labour -
- Wild Orange
- Balance - The Grounding Blend
- Peace (an alternative to Lavender or Balance)
- Clary Sage
- Roman Chamomile
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Digestzen
- Vetiver
- Ylang Ylang
- Citrus Bliss
- Lavender
- Frankincense
- Motivate Touch Roller
Ways to use these oils ?
- Diffuse or create a room spray for the labour ward - Use Balance and Wild Orange (Keeps you grounded and focused)
- For an overnight labour... try massaging some Vetiver and Ylang Ylang diluted in a carrier oil to the soles of the feet to encourage rest through this time.
- Diffuse Clary Sage for additional contraction support (it strengthens contractions) and to settle and calm.
- Apply Balance topically... or apply a drop to clothing nearby to get the benefits of the aroma.
- Don't forget Dad might need a drop of Balance as well.
- Create a 10ml rollerball with Frankincense..Lavender and Peppermint diluted with fractionated coconut oil to use in active labour. Roll on to lower back ..hips or anywhere there is pressure.
- You may like to try this Labour Massage Oil - in a 50ml glass spray bottle- Add: 20 drops Clary Sage. 10 drops Lavender and 5 drops of Ylang Ylang. Top with fracionated coconut oil. Massage in throughout labour.
- During transition phase use Motivate Touch roller - apply to the back of the neck or even a dab on the tip of the nose. It has a citrus / minty aroma which gives encouragement and focus.
- Geranium oil...a drop in some warm olive oil is beautiful for softening and stretching the perineum pre-birth. (midwives that are educated with doTERRA may already be familiar with this.)
- Lemon / Peppermint / Ginger or Digestzen can be used for nausea... add a drop to a tissue and inhale.
- Peppermint may be useful to when energy is low and you are overcome with exhaustion...Peppermint can refocus and re-energise.
- (Caution - Use Peppermint minimally post labour when breast feeding as it can reduce milk production but is safe in labour)
( Postpartum )
Oils to support after delivery - postpartum -
- Clary Calm
- White Fir
- Lavender
- Roman Chamomile
- Bergamot
- Balance
- Lavender Peace
- Cedarwood
- Helichrysum
- Myrrh
Ways to use these oils:
For recovery / after pains-
- Make a blend of Clary Calm..White Fir and Lavender in a roller-ball bottle to apply to abdomen after childbirth. These are gentle oils ...safe for baby with skin to skin contact.
Perineum Care-
- Create a perineum spray with equal drops of Frankincense..Helichrysum Myrrh and Lavender in a 30ml spray bottle topped with warm sea salty water to soothe the perineum after birth. You can use this same mixture to wet a pad and freeze and then use after labour to ease any swelling.
- Diffuse Bergamot.. Roman Chamomile ..Lavender or Wild Orange
- Diffuse Balance.. Lavender Peace and Cedarwood (can add Vetiver for additional sleep power)
I found the videos at The Empowered Life Series incredibly interesting - you can watch them HERE
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