Posted May 10, 2018 in Essential Oil Basics by Rocky Mountain Oils

Essential Oils and Pregnancy

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”- Rajneesh Oh, pregnancy! It is such a beautiful and rewarding time in a woman’s life. Your body is undertaking the most incredible job, creating another life. While pregnancy is the miracle of life, it brings major changes to your body and emotions. Your physical body grows and organs move to make way for the baby and your hormones feel out of whack, plus you can suffer from morning sickness and fatigue. Of course, natural products are a must when taking care of yourself during the journey. Any other time you would reach for your go-to essential oil blend without hesitation but now, you must think about the baby first.

Is it safe to use essential oils while pregnant?

When used properly many essential oils can be safe for pregnant and nursing women, however, we always recommend talking with a trusted medical professional or aromatherapist before usage. It is important to acknowledge that there are standard safe practices in regard to using essential oils while pregnant. Below we are going to go through the do’s and don’ts of essential oil use during pregnancy.

Heightened Senses

Pregnancy can bring on heightened senses. This can include skin sensitivity and a heightened sense of smell. When it comes to topical application, you do want to make sure that your essential oils are heavily diluted during this special time. The general guideline is to always use a 1% dilution rate. This is to help avoid any skin irritation as well as avoid nausea when that sense of smell is working overtime. When diffusing, it is recommended to follow safe diffusion guidelines. Use 3-5 drops of essential oil per 100ml of water in the diffuser. Diffuse in 30-60 minute intervals with break periods for safe and effective use.

Which Essential Oils Can I Use?

As an expectant mother, it is important to know which essential oils are safe and which ones can be potentially dangerous for mommy and baby. Below we have provided a list of essential oils that are considered safe or dangerous during pregnancy. (Please keep in mind that this list is not complete and only contains oils that Rocky Mountain Oils currently carries.)

Big No-No’s

Basil- Ocimum basilicum
Black Seed - Nigella sativa
Carrot Seed - Daucus carota
Cinnamon Bark - Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Clove Bud - Syzygium aromaticum
Fennel (bitter & sweet) - Foeniculum vulgare
Hyssop (pinocamphone ct.) - Hyssopus officinalis ct. pinocamphone
Myrrh - Commiphora myrrha
Oregano - Origanum vulgare
Ravintsara (camphor ct.) - Cinnamomum camphora ct.
Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis ct. 1,8 cineole
Sage - Salvia officinalis
Thyme - Thymus vulgaris
Wintergreen - Gaultheria fragrantissima

Oils To Use Sparingly

The below oils we recommend using at a very high dilution rate .5% - 1%. You can learn more about how to dilute your oils here.

Lemon - Citrus x limon
Lemongrass - Cymbopogon citratus
Litsea cubeba (May Chang) - Litsea cubeba
Melissa - Melissa officinalis

Generally Safe Oils

Bergamot FCF - Citrus bergamia
Black pepper - Piper nigrum
Chamomile German - Chamomilla recutita
Chamomile Roman - Chamaemelum nobile
Cypress - Cupressus sempervirens
Frankincense - Boswellia carterii
Geranium - Pelargonium graveolens
Ginger Root - Zingiber officinale
Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi
Juniper Berry - Juniperus communis
Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia
Marjoram Sweet - Origanum majorana
Neroli (Orange Blossoms) - Citrus x aurantium
Petitgrain (Orange Leaf)- Citrus aurantium
Rose Otto - Rosa x damascena
Sandalwood - Santalum album
Sweet Orange - Citrus sinensis
Tea Tree - Melaleuca alternifolia
Ylang Ylang - Cananga odorata genuina

Why Use Essential Oils While Pregnant

Essential oils can be extremely beneficial for those pregnant bodies as long as they are used appropriately and responsibly. Why would we want to use essential oils during pregnancy? They can offer:

Stress Relief and Relaxation
Uplift Spirit and Emotions
Help Ease Nausea
Assistance With Achy and Tense Muscles
Skin Nourishing Properties
Just for the Smell Goods!

Recipes

Here are some easy and fun recipes that include pregnancy safe oils and proper dilution

Massage My Feet

1 Drop Cypress
1 Drop Juniper Berry
1 Drop Sweet Marjoram
1 Drop Frankincense Carterii
3tsp Carrier Oil (Fractionated Coconut Oil or Almond Oil)

Mix essential oils and carrier oil together and massage into feet and legs as needed.

Smooth Baby Bump

2 tsp Better Butter
1 Drop Lavender Greece
1 Drop Roman Chamomile
1 Drop Frankincense Carterii

Melt 2 teaspoons of Better Butter in the palm of your hand, add essential oils and apply to your baby bump for smooth skin.

Spring Baby Diffuser Blend

2 Drops Ylang Ylang
2 Drops Orange
2 Drops Bergamot FCF

Morning Sickness Diffuser Blend

1 Drop Ginger Root
1 Drop Black Pepper
1 Drop Lavender Greece
1 Drop Grapefruit

* Safety Precaution* Please do not use essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding if taking medication or have known allergies or sensitivities. Immediately discontinue uses if experiencing adverse reactions. Always check with a trusted and trained medical professional, aromatherapist, or midwife before use as medical history, current condition and medications need to be taken into consideration.

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