Pregnancy
There are several ways in which essential oils can be useful during pregnancy.
Like in other life stages, essential oils can provide valuable alternatives to conventional drugs, when it comes to deal with possible health challenges while pregnant, therefore delaying the exposure of the baby to synthetic drugs, and its side effects.
Aromatherapy can also assist a pregnant woman by providing natural options for the daily care practices, before, during and after birth.
Aromatherapy can be useful in cases of:
Backache, constipation, fatigue and insomnia, leg cramps, morning sickness, oedema, stretch marks (prevention), preparing for birth, labour, nausea, post-partum depression, …
Like in other life stages, essential oils can provide valuable alternatives to conventional drugs, when it comes to deal with possible health challenges while pregnant, therefore delaying the exposure of the baby to synthetic drugs, and its side effects.
Aromatherapy can also assist a pregnant woman by providing natural options for the daily care practices, before, during and after birth.
Aromatherapy can be useful in cases of:
Backache, constipation, fatigue and insomnia, leg cramps, morning sickness, oedema, stretch marks (prevention), preparing for birth, labour, nausea, post-partum depression, …
Always seek for professional advice for using essential oils during pregnancy, as some essential oils, specifically those very stimulating, should be avoided, especially during the first trimester. Ex: basil, marjoram, fennel, star anise, peppermint, oregano, rosemary, myrrh, hyssop… And, of course, always use best quality, authentic essential oils.
Don’t forget that your baby will also enjoy being indulged with good quality vegetable oils and gentle essential oils, on his/her daily care. Simple and natural blends are an excellent option to all the baby products, full of synthetic fragrances and compounds. They can also help whenever baby health challenges arise, being frequently suitable alternatives to chemical drugs. Ask for advice from a qualified aromatherapist, as the blends must have only gentle and safe essential oils and the dilutions must be adjusted for baby use.
Through Pregnancy
Here are some useful blends:
Stretch Marks (prevention)
30 ml Avocado oil or Sweet Almond Veg. Oil
10 ml Wheatgerm Veg. Oil
10 ml Rosehip Veg. Oil
9 dr Tangerine EO
3 dr Sandalwood EO
2 dr Neroli EO
2 dr Frankincense EO
Apply to abdomen, buttocks, breasts and thighs.
Morning sickness and Nausea
Ginger
Lemon
Chamomile (Roman)
Tarragon
Alone or blended, these oils can be used in compresses, inhaled from a tissue, used in a mist or 1 drop under the tongue - max. 6x/day.
Ginger and chamomile tea are also helpful.
Backache Massage Oil
50ml Vegetable Oil (Sweet Almond)
5dr Lavender
3dr Cajeput
3dr Sandalwood
1dr Geranium
Apply by massaging into the sacrum and lower back area for few minutes.
Try to use it prior to the yoga exercise “wall butterfly” to gain extra benefit...
Brest Soreness
1.Compresses
Bowl of warm water
2 drops orange
1 drop geranium
2 washcloths
Mix oils in water by stirring well. Soak cloths and apply to breasts, draping a towel over this. 15 min.
2.Massage Oil
30ml veg. oil
4 dr orange
2 dr geranium
Apply in an outward circular massage.
Preparing for birth
Self-massage the perineum for 5 to 10 min daily, for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. With wheatgerm, lavender and geranium:
“Best carried following a warm bath to increase circulation and soften tissues. The oils should be applied to the perineum and posterior vaginal wall. Two index fingers should be inserted two inches into the vagina, pressing down towards the rectum. The massage movement should be in a “u”. The tissues relax and stretch very quickly. The vagina should be stretched open for 20 sec. to feel the tingling or burning process associated with the head crowning.”
From about the 7th month, raspberry leaf tea is recommended. It contains fragrine that relieves uterine pains by dilating the pelvic muscles. 1 teaspoon of leafs to 1 cup of water.
Also ask your health consultant about taking a folic acid supplement during the 2nd third.
Labour
1st stage: dilation of the cervix - 2nd stage: expulsion of baby - 3rd stage: delivery of placenta
1st & 2nd stage:
Lavender reduces anxiety and pain.
Clary sage helps to increase contractions, encouraging labour, and useful in pain-control. Although being very useful for assisting with labour, should not be used before that stage.
Labour oil
25ml Sweet Almond
25ml St. John’s Wort or Arnica
8 drops Lavender
3 dr Clary Sage
1 dr Chamomile or Jasmine
Apply to lower abdomen and lower back area.
A few drops of bergamot or lavender could be used in a bowl of warm water to refresh and disinfect the atmosphere.
Post-Natal Care
Post delivery perineum wash
Soothing and healing, is helpful immediately after delivery and a few days afterwards for cleansing of perineum area specially to avoid discomfort of toilet tissue.
200ml (warm) distilled water
30ml Witch Hazel (optional)
1 drop lavender
1 drop Tea Tree or Bergamot
Shake very well before each use.
Perineum Sitz Bath Treatment
Following childbirth
2dr lavender
1dr patchouli
1dr tea tree
¼ cup Witch Hazel (optional)
1 tablespoon honey
A basin to sit.
Mix essential oils in honey and add the witch hazel and aromatic honey to water. Honey is used as a carrier for the essential oils and is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Stir and sit in the water for 15 to 20 min. Do it twice a day to heal and prevent infection.
Cracking Nipples Oil
24ml Sweet Almond
3ml Calendula
3ml Wheatgerm
Post-Partum Depression Synergy
4 parts Lavender
2 parts Ylang Ylang
2 parts Clary Sage
1 part Bergamot
1 part Mandarin
To balance and uplift the emotions.
In bath - 10 drops; diffuser - 5 drops; apply to skin diluted in vegetable oil, inhale from bottle.
You are living the dream of most women, so enjoy! And don’t let your hormones take control..
Wish you a very happy and fragrantly healthy pregnancy!
Back to Blend Suggestions...
Don’t forget that your baby will also enjoy being indulged with good quality vegetable oils and gentle essential oils, on his/her daily care. Simple and natural blends are an excellent option to all the baby products, full of synthetic fragrances and compounds. They can also help whenever baby health challenges arise, being frequently suitable alternatives to chemical drugs. Ask for advice from a qualified aromatherapist, as the blends must have only gentle and safe essential oils and the dilutions must be adjusted for baby use.
Through Pregnancy
Here are some useful blends:
Stretch Marks (prevention)
30 ml Avocado oil or Sweet Almond Veg. Oil
10 ml Wheatgerm Veg. Oil
10 ml Rosehip Veg. Oil
9 dr Tangerine EO
3 dr Sandalwood EO
2 dr Neroli EO
2 dr Frankincense EO
Apply to abdomen, buttocks, breasts and thighs.
Morning sickness and Nausea
Ginger
Lemon
Chamomile (Roman)
Tarragon
Alone or blended, these oils can be used in compresses, inhaled from a tissue, used in a mist or 1 drop under the tongue - max. 6x/day.
Ginger and chamomile tea are also helpful.
Backache Massage Oil
50ml Vegetable Oil (Sweet Almond)
5dr Lavender
3dr Cajeput
3dr Sandalwood
1dr Geranium
Apply by massaging into the sacrum and lower back area for few minutes.
Try to use it prior to the yoga exercise “wall butterfly” to gain extra benefit...
Brest Soreness
1.Compresses
Bowl of warm water
2 drops orange
1 drop geranium
2 washcloths
Mix oils in water by stirring well. Soak cloths and apply to breasts, draping a towel over this. 15 min.
2.Massage Oil
30ml veg. oil
4 dr orange
2 dr geranium
Apply in an outward circular massage.
Preparing for birth
Self-massage the perineum for 5 to 10 min daily, for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. With wheatgerm, lavender and geranium:
“Best carried following a warm bath to increase circulation and soften tissues. The oils should be applied to the perineum and posterior vaginal wall. Two index fingers should be inserted two inches into the vagina, pressing down towards the rectum. The massage movement should be in a “u”. The tissues relax and stretch very quickly. The vagina should be stretched open for 20 sec. to feel the tingling or burning process associated with the head crowning.”
From about the 7th month, raspberry leaf tea is recommended. It contains fragrine that relieves uterine pains by dilating the pelvic muscles. 1 teaspoon of leafs to 1 cup of water.
Also ask your health consultant about taking a folic acid supplement during the 2nd third.
Labour
1st stage: dilation of the cervix - 2nd stage: expulsion of baby - 3rd stage: delivery of placenta
1st & 2nd stage:
Lavender reduces anxiety and pain.
Clary sage helps to increase contractions, encouraging labour, and useful in pain-control. Although being very useful for assisting with labour, should not be used before that stage.
Labour oil
25ml Sweet Almond
25ml St. John’s Wort or Arnica
8 drops Lavender
3 dr Clary Sage
1 dr Chamomile or Jasmine
Apply to lower abdomen and lower back area.
A few drops of bergamot or lavender could be used in a bowl of warm water to refresh and disinfect the atmosphere.
Post-Natal Care
Post delivery perineum wash
Soothing and healing, is helpful immediately after delivery and a few days afterwards for cleansing of perineum area specially to avoid discomfort of toilet tissue.
200ml (warm) distilled water
30ml Witch Hazel (optional)
1 drop lavender
1 drop Tea Tree or Bergamot
Shake very well before each use.
Perineum Sitz Bath Treatment
Following childbirth
2dr lavender
1dr patchouli
1dr tea tree
¼ cup Witch Hazel (optional)
1 tablespoon honey
A basin to sit.
Mix essential oils in honey and add the witch hazel and aromatic honey to water. Honey is used as a carrier for the essential oils and is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Stir and sit in the water for 15 to 20 min. Do it twice a day to heal and prevent infection.
Cracking Nipples Oil
24ml Sweet Almond
3ml Calendula
3ml Wheatgerm
Post-Partum Depression Synergy
4 parts Lavender
2 parts Ylang Ylang
2 parts Clary Sage
1 part Bergamot
1 part Mandarin
To balance and uplift the emotions.
In bath - 10 drops; diffuser - 5 drops; apply to skin diluted in vegetable oil, inhale from bottle.
You are living the dream of most women, so enjoy! And don’t let your hormones take control..
Wish you a very happy and fragrantly healthy pregnancy!
Back to Blend Suggestions...