Essential Oils for Pregnancy
Updated on December 3, 2022
When we are pregnant, we worry a lot about what we eat and what we can and cannot put IN our bodies. But what about what we put ON our bodies? What we place on our skin and what we breathe in enters our body as much as food does, just through a different system. What we put on our skin goes into our bloodstreams – and that’s a big deal. In addition to that, particles in the air that we smell and breathe in directly affect our brain, so it is very important that we avoid breathing in toxic substances like air fresheners, paint fumes and perfume. It’s important to be aware of how our beauty product and health care choices affect our bodies, so we can make healthy changes.
Avoid: Anything with “fragrance” as this is a synthetic chemical and toxic. So instead of perfume, choose a favorite essential oil to carry with you through the day, instead of lotion choose coconut oil with an essential oil added in, instead of commercial air freshener make your own with your essential oils and instead of burning candles (which make the air you breathe toxic), choose a diffuser with essential oils instead!
These simple changes are a gift you can give yourself and your baby.
Essential oils are a wonderful tool and gift while pregnant – for digestive health, calming, promoting healthy sleep patterns and sooth aches and pains. Using our favorite brand’s immunity blend daily on my feet was a comfort and a support to be being pregnant during the winter and their digestive blend was very soothing for my digestive system. I recommend using oils like orange or grapefruit daily in your diffuser as well for mood lifting and regulation. With so many wonderfully safe choices, essential oils can be a tremendous blessing during pregnancy.
Used reasonably most essential oils are safe for pregnancy according to world-recognized essential oil expert Dr. Robert Tisserand.
Some tips for using essential oils in pregnancy:
- For pregnancy the general recommendation is a 1% dilution, or 1 drop of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.
- Internal use is generally discouraged during pregnancy but ok for some single oils. Please do your research and use the resources available to you
- Some choose to avoid essential oil use in the first trimester. This is a personal choice and something to consider if you’ve have previous loss or premature labor. The oils can still be very helpful and effective used aromatically.
- Always listen closely to your body. If at any time you notice that using an essential oil causes contractions or any discomfort then discontinue use.
- Essential oils will NOT start labor if the body is not ready, they are not like medications that force outcomes.
*This list only covers doTERRA essential oils which are pure, therapeutic grade and verified so by thorough testing. Please never use essential oils from the drugstore on yourself or your family as they can contain solvents and chemicals.
Common oils that are safe and gentle (topical use):
- Frankincense
- Copaiba
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Tea Tree
- Cedarwood
- Roman Chamomile
- Rose
- Sandalwood
- Ylang Ylang
- Citrus oils like Wild Orange, Bergamot and Lemon.
How to Dilute Essential oils:
Pregnant when should always dilute essential oils for topical use. Just a couple drops per tablespoon of carrier is still incredibly effective with doTERRA’s very potent and powerful essential oils. You can always add more essential oils if you want more of an effect. Remember we are diluting to protect our skin from irritation. The oils themselves are NOT inherently harmful to your precious baby (of those that doTERRA sells, some others oils are)
I promise its extremely hard to do wrong. Use your oils as you need them, dilute them, and all will be well.
Essential oils for Morning Sickness
- Ginger
- Peppermint or Spearmint
- Digestzen
- Any oil that smells good to you
Apply topically or just inhale from the bottle as needed.
Dilute as recommended, and apply 1-3 drops on ears, down jaw bone, and on reflex points of feet.
Digestive support while pregnant
- Digestzen, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Wild Orange
Dilute and apply direction to your stomach, rub in a circular motion from right to left.
Essential oils for Contractions
- Dilute Lavender and rub on abdomen as needed to calm contractions
Oils that help falling asleep
- Copaiba, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Serenity
Apply to bottom of the feet, back of neck and/or chest to aid the body in relaxation.
Add oils to a spray bottle of water for a wonderfully relaxing “sleepy spray” for your sheets.
Oils that may cause skin irritation – use sparingly:
- Clary Sage (may stimulate contractions if prone to preterm labor)
- Clove
- Cypress
- Jasmine
- Peppermint (may raise blood pressure)
- Rosemary (may lower blood pressure)
- Cinnamon
- Cassia
- OreganoThyme
Note: Oils such as Peppermint and Cinnamon that are part of popular blends such as On Guard and Deep Blue are even less of a risk to irritate skin because they are mixed with other gentler oils. Diluted these blends are safe to use while pregnant.
Click here to read Part 2 -Essential Oils for Labor and Postpartum
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