We can all agree that being pregnant, apart from all the glorious moments, is a difficult period in someone's life. The nausea, the headaches, the mood swings, the swelling and many many more make this phase in life non-pleasant. On top of these, during pregnancy, all you hear is a series of "no's". No weights, no coffee (well maybe a little bit... we need you to stay sane), no alcohol, no this no that... It can get overwhelming, we understand. That is why, through this article, we will try to give you a few ways that using essential oils (safely!) during your pregnancy will help you in many aspects.
Also, I would like to thank Leane Samoilis, a holistic therapist, who kindly agreed to give us some more in-depth information about specific oils to use in pregnancy and share some of her knowledge with us.
Leane did all of her training in England, she first trained as a kghypnobirthing practitioner, (kgh is the brand she trained with) as she wanted other people to have a better birthing experience, without the fear and anxiety that she felt during pregnancy and labour. She also trained in the three-step birth rewind process for birth trauma which is really beneficial to people having a second pregnancy when the first was a traumatic event. That way she could offer help to people who had gone through a traumatic birth or had lost a baby.
She is qualified in reflexology and wants to help people conceive naturally and induce natural labour. Apart from these, she also does Swedish, pregnancy, aromatherapy and Indian head massage. She runs baby massage classes for parents and caregivers to help with the bond between baby and carer and this can also help when there has been a traumatic birth experience. Leane is a holistic therapist looking for ways to have the most natural pregnancy, labour and birth with confidence and calm. You can find more about this inspiring woman and the services that she provides at her page @wishfulmammy.
[This article is for educational purposes only. Always talk with your doctor or midwife beforehand and do not use this information without their consent. You should always seek advice from a trained aromatherapist when using essential oils, especially during pregnancy.]
Disclaimer: Midwifery is a very inclusive and safe space for everyone, where your identity and your needs are valid and important to us. Thus, the terms used in this article aim towards making everyone feel comfortable and included.
Uterus owner (person with a uterus, uterus having person) <--> Woman
Parent <--> father (dad), mother (mom)
Birthing person <--> mother (mom)
Pregnant (pregnant person) <--> mother (mom)
Breastfeeding (Breast) <--> Chestfeeding (Chest)
[if you feel that you are not included at any point, please contact us and help us change that]
© NIKOLETA CHATZIPANAGIOTIDOU, SOME RIGHTS RESERVED 01/02/2021
Benefits of Essential Oils
Let's start with the basics. Why would you want to use these oils? What do they have to offer you? When using them correctly, essential oils in pregnancy can be beneficial for the pregnant parent in more than one aspects. With them, you can alleviate some of the symptoms while you avoid using other toxic, artificial and highly processed products. “Oils can be used for a variety of ailments,” says Emily Sisco, certified nurse-midwife at Mayo Clinic Health System. “They are becoming more common to use during pregnancy, labour and postpartum period to treat anxiety, aches and lack of focus.” More specifically, they:
help minimize nausea ("morning sickness") and upset stomach
soothe achy muscles
help reduce irritation and swelling associated with haemorrhoids
improve sleep
improve skin elasticity (to relieve the discomfort associated with that growing baby bump)
reduce the appearance of stretch marks
help reduce anxiety during labour
However, there is a concern that essential oils can metabolize into toxic compounds when absorbed through a pregnant's bloodstream. This has been addressed by experts and they concluded that their usage is safe if the dosage is followed correctly, so there is no need to worry about that. If you have any additional concerns, reach out to your OBGYN or your midwife and they will provide you with all the information that you need.
Advice for using essential oils during pregnancy
In order to stay safe both you and the baby, you will have to follow some general guidelines when it comes to the correct usage.
Avoid using them in the first trimester
According to Jill Edwards, N.D. (doctor of naturopathic medicine who specializes in prenatal care), you should not use essential oils - or have any treatments such as massage and reflexology- in the early stages of pregnancy. That is because they can potentially cause uterine contractions, miscarriage or adversely affect your baby in his early developmental stages. Even though there is not enough research done, it is best to be careful and avoid any type of essential oil usage ( directly on skin or aromatherapy) during that time (the first 12 weeks).
2. Don’t ingest essential oils
No matter pregnant or not, essential oils are not meant for ingestion unless under the direct supervision of an expert or physician. They can be used on the skin or diffused, but ingesting them can be toxic for you (and your baby).
3. Aromatotherapy is better
Generally speaking, doctors believe that aromatherapy is better during pregnancy instead of topical application. You can use essential oils in other ways apart from on the skin, like in a diffuser, in your bath, on a compressor on a tissue. However, if you choose a topical application, never forget to dilute essential oils with carrier oils before applying them to the skin. Never apply them undiluted, they are toxic and they will be harmful to you. Carrier oils can be mixed with the essential oils to get better results. Leane Samoilis suggests the following:
Sweet almond oil - nourishing and moisturizing. Promotes smooth and healthy skin.
Grapeseed oil - helps to prevent cell damage as it contains Vit E, which is a fat-soluble antioxidant.
Avocado - a monounsaturated fat containing omega9, which improves skin integrity.
[A tip from Leane: you can use coconut oil for everything. Some examples include using it on your baby instead of a moisturizer, for cradle cap, as a moisturizer for yourself and even as a hair pack for you once a week!]
4. Stick to the dosage recommendations
When using more than the recommended dosage you are not getting more benefits. You can, however, cause harm to you especially if you are using it directly on the skin.
Note: Do not use above 4% dilution during pregnancy.
How and what to use in each trimester
First Trimester
As stated above, the usage of essential oils during the first trimester is not recommended and it's best to avoid it.
Second Trimester & Third Trimester
"In the second and third trimesters, some essential oils are safe to use, as your baby is more developed," Jill Edwards mentions. Make sure that you are using a good brand for your essential oils so that they are 100% pure and unadulterated. The essential oils you can try, that both the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy and the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists agree on, are the following:
>Bergamot: stress reduction, lowers cholesterol, reduces pain and inflammation
>Cardamom: combats morning sickness and nausea
>(Roman) chamomile: promotes calm, relaxation and a good night’s sleep, banishes severe migraine attacks
>Eucalyptus: controls blood sugar, eases joint pain
>Frankincense: links us to our past ancestors who have birthed many times before us, promotes calm, relaxation and a good night’s sleep
>Geranium oil: uplifts your mood, calms skin rashes and eczema, reduces feelings of anxiety. Good for times of trauma. It is also an antibacterial and a good oil for circulation and an anti-inflammatory. It’s also useful for pregnancy and post-natal massage.
>Grapefruit: may help balance mood, reduce stress and lower blood pressure
>Lavender: promotes less pain, creates calm, enduces sleep
>Lemon: uplifts your mood
>Lemongrass: anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant properties, relieves nausea, it may act as a pain reliever, relieves stress and anxiety, relieve headaches and migraine
>Mandarin: very uplifting, helps for long labours
>Neroli: promotes calm, relaxation and a good night’s sleep
>Patchouli: uplifts your mood
>Petitgrain: promotes calm, relaxation and a good night’s sleep
>Rosewood: promotes calm, relaxation and a good night’s sleep
>Sandalwood: uplifts your mood, may help reduce anxiety
>Tea tree: soothes skin inflammation
>Ylang ylang: boosts mood, reduces depression, alleviates anxiety, lowers blood pressure, decreases heart rate, stimulates oil production in the skin and on the scalp, helps with stomach distress and headache
Specifically for after the second trimester only (after 37 weeks) and during labour, according to Leane Samoilis's advice, you can use the following ( dosage: two drops of essential oils in 10ml of carrier oil):
>Orange (sweet): it helps to overcome feelings of anxiety or stress and improve the mood
> Clary Sage: it is thought to induce labour by increasing oxytocin, regulates and effectiveness of surges, increase mental clarity and decrease pain. Can be put on feet, ankles and abdomen.
>Jasmine: it enhances uterine action, strengthens surges and gives comfort. Can be used after birth as a compressor to the birth placenta and increase milk supply. (don’t combine with clary sage as both work on the uterus)
>Rose: healing and soothing qualities. An expensive oil but very beautiful. Excellent for stretch marks and it helps relieve premenstrual tension (PMT) and is excellent for skincare. It’s a potent aphrodisiac and helpful to some for sleep. It’s very helpful for headaches and migraines, can improve moods and sadness and is effective for anxiety and depression.
Apart from the above, some of the essential oils can be extremely beneficial for you especially during labour.
>Lavender: promotes less pain and enduces sleep, creates calm.
>Frankincense: brings a link to our past, our ancestors who’ve been birthing many years before us. It produces a soft oxytocin and is ideal for hypnobirthing. It’s grounding, calming and great for the immune system.
>Geranium oil: it has calming, harmonizing and balancing properties. It is especially good to reduce anxiety and excellent to use in traumatic situations. It’s also a good oil for anti-inflammatory and a good oil for circulation.
>Bergamot: relaxing whilst uplifting at the same time. It’s good for balancing emotions and calming anxieties.
>Mandarin oil: calming and uplifting, beneficial in a long labour.
>Peppermint: is also uplifting, helps clear congestion and reduce upset stomach. (Avoid using it directly on the woman as it interferes with her natural smell)
Which essential oils to avoid
There are some oils that, due to the fact that cause contractions and the toxicity risks, should be avoided during pregnancy. Those include:
Arnica (homeopathic is fine)
Basil
Birch (sweet)
Bitter almond
Boldo leaf
Broom
Buchu
Calamus
Camphor (brown or yellow)
Cassia
Cedarwood/thuja
Chervil
Cinnamon
Clove (bud, leaf or stem)
Coriander
Costus
Deertongue
Elecampane
Fennel
Horseradish
Hyssop
Jaborandi leaf
Juniper berry
Melilotus
Mugwort
Mustard
Nutmeg
Origanum
Parsley (large doses)
Pennyroyal
Pine (dwarf)
Rosemary
Rue
Sassafras
Savin
Savory (summer)
Tansy
Thyme red (large doses)
Tonka
Wintergreen
Wormwood
Advice and tips by Leane Samoilis
Use the oils that you plan on using in labour from 37 weeks, as anything unknown in labour can cause the sympathetic nervous system to activate.
Don't put anything with a scent on your skin during labour, as it will interfere with your natural smell.
Some women often find that something they ordinarily liked, is no longer pleasant for them while they are giving birth. So it is advised to have a tissue with some oil on, in a ziplocked bag to use in labour. This way, if they decide they no longer like the smell, it can be taken away and will not be left lingering in the room or on their body.
It’s also recommended that if you are taking something into a hospital/clinic/birth room to check that any caregivers are not allergic to anything which you are carrying with you.
Leane also kindly shared with us the recipe for an amazing bath salt that she makes up to help reduce swelling in the feet. It’s lovely to put in a bowl and soak your feet in, it helps with sleep, reducing muscle cramps and fatigue.
* 3 cups Epsom salt
* 1.5 coarse sea salt (Himalayan pink)
* ½ cup baking soda
* 20 drops essential oil (choose one combination, do not use all of them together)
- 20 drops lavender
- 10 lavender +10 sweet orange
- 15 eucalyptus + 5 frankincense
- 20 rose
- 10 rose + 10 lavender
* Optional: dried flowers
Conclusion
Essential oils have been used for many many years for treating the body without using medication. Especially in a period in life like a pregnancy, where medication should be mostly avoided, these oils can provide a lot of comfort and relief for most of the pregnancy symptoms. Because every pregnancy is different and essential oils should not be used without the guidance of an expert, you should talk with your midwife or your doctor before starting an essential oil-based therapeutic regimen, get advice from an expert and also you have to stick to the dosages recommended.
With that being said, explore your possibilities, see what works for you and your body and trust Mother Nature to help you with the gift of creating a life that she blessed you with.
We really hope this article informed you and helped you realize how essential oils can be beneficial during pregnancy. We strongly encourage you to contact us in whatever way suits you and discuss the article, suggest ideas for upcoming content, tell us your strong and emotional stories or for any other reason you would like.
Leane's links:
Website: https://www.wishfulmammy.com/?fbclid=IwAR3413Qpv0vvx6L1PDknpYI6yzNRbFhM3EdvRSw302PRNLwW4l-XD7VKhlA
Instagram: @wishfulmammy
Facebook: @wishfulmammy
E-mail: beingamidwifeblog@gmail.com
Instagram: @beingamidwife.blog
Facebook: The “Being a Midwife” blog
Thank you for your support!
Co-Founder and Co-Writer
The “Being a Midwife” team
Reference list
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Healthline. (2016). 9 Amazing Eucalyptus Oil Benefits You Need to Know. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/9-ways-eucalyptus-oil-can-help#breath-freshener [Accessed 16 Jan. 2021].
Healthline. (2018). Bergamot Oil Uses and Benefits. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/bergamot-oil#benefits [Accessed 16 Jan. 2021].
Healthline. (2019a). 6 Benefits and Uses of Grapefruit Essential Oil. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grapefruit-essential-oil#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8 [Accessed 16 Jan. 2021].
Healthline. (2019b). The Benefits of Rose Oil and How to Use It. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/rose-oil#2 [Accessed 16 Jan. 2021].
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Healthline. (2020c). Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Uses & Benefits. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/ylang-ylang#benefits.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/. (n.d.). Essential Oils and Pregnancy. [online] Available at: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/essential-oils-and-pregnancy/ [Accessed 16 Jan. 2021].
Mashack, C. (n.d.). Essential Oils and Pregnancy Safety. [online] www.morelandobgyn.com. Available at: https://www.morelandobgyn.com/blog/essential-oils-and-pregnancy-safety.
Mayoclinichealthsystem.org. (2019). Essential oils and pregnancy - Mayo Clinic Health System. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/essential-oils-and-pregnancy.
Parents. (n.d.). Essential Oils During Pregnancy: What’s Safe and What to Avoid. [online] Available at: https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pregnancy-health/essential-oils-during-pregnancy-whats-safe-and-what-to-avoid/.
Leane Samoilis ( KGHypnobirthing teacher & reflexologist )
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