We love them because they smell amazing and have therapeutic benefits. But are essential oils safe during pregnancy?
There are tons of issues you’ll experience while pregnant that can be remedied with essential oils. But, with a developing child inside you, it’s fair to wonder what effects they could have on them.
Using Essential Oils During Your Pregnancy
We have rather limited research as to how essential oils affect pregnancy, but we know one thing for sure – it all depends on the type of essential oils, how you use the oils, and the amount of oils being used.
Certain oils should still be avoided altogether until after birth, but others can be used even while pregnant.
This is great news, especially if you struggle with pregnancy and sleep! Certain essential oils are great for helping combat this all too common issue, including:
Ylang ylang. May help promote relaxation
Chamomile. Could help support sleep
Lavender. Helps calm the central nervous system
On top of those three, there are tons of other essential oils you may be able to benefit from using throughout your second and third trimesters, including:
Bergamot. May help ease feelings of tension
Roman chamomile. Could help relieve feelings of discomfort
Eucalyptus. Helps maintain healthy sinuses
Geranium. Supports healthy skin
Ginger. Settles nausea
Grapefruit. Balances mood
Lemon. Fights exhaustion
Lemongrass. Soothes the gut
Lime. Supports healthy digestion
Mandarin. Heals stretch marks
Neroli. Eases discomfort
Patchouli. Relieves stress
Petitgrain. Calms the nerves
Rose Otto. Helps support a happy mood
Rosewood. Could help reduce the appearance of scars
Sandalwood. Boosts immunity
Sweet orange. Helps ease feelings of discomfort
Tea tree. Soothes irritation
On top of improving sleep, essential oils can help with a few other common ailments expecting mamas experience.
To combat stretch marks, try mixing 2-3 drops of concentrated lavender oil with jojoba or coconut oil, and rub on any desired areas. Do this a few times daily.
You can also enjoy feelings of relaxation during morning sickness by diffusing or inhaling sweet orange or mandarin oil. If you experience a sudden bout of nausea, give it a try.
Swollen feet and ankles? Try massaging 3 drops of lavender or geranium oil mixed with a carrier into the affected area a few times as needed.
For hemorrhoids, blend 2 drops of tea tree, geranium, cypress, and lavender together with a carrier oil before adding 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Apply your mixture directly onto the affected area with a cotton ball to help soothe swelling and irritation.
Which Essential Oils Are NOT Safe During Pregnancy?
As we previously mentioned, certain essential oils (emmenagogues) should be avoided like the plague throughout your pregnancy. These are safe to use after your pregnancy, but even in the second and third trimester, these can cause contractions, developmental issues, and even miscarriage.
Aniseed
Arnica (homeopathic is fine)
Basil
Birch (sweet)
Bitter almond
Boldo leaf
Broom
Buchu
Calamus
Camphor (brown or yellow)
Cassia
Cedarwood/thuja
Chervil
Cinnamon
Clary sage
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
Peppermint
Pine (dwarf)
Rosemary
Rue
Sassafras
Savin
Savory (summer)
Tansy
Thyme red (large doses)
Tonka
Wintergreen
Wormwood
Yes, that is a huge list, but you need to check the ingredients in any essential oil supplement you apply to your skin or diffuse and make sure none of these are included.
With this in mind, if you happen to come across an essential oil that you’re unfamiliar with, hold off on using it until getting the go-ahead from your OB-GYN. Some ingredients may cause uterine contractions and are best avoided until you reach full term.
How To Safely Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy
There are a few different ways you can get the benefits of essential oils during your pregnancy, such as inhalation or topical use.
Essential oil diffusers are probably the most common, because not only do they provide therapeutic delivery of the oil, they make the whole room smell great!
Another great option is to apply the essential oil topically. You can apply the oils to your feet, your back, or wherever is giving you grief. When applying to your skin, you’ll need to use a diluent – also referred to as a carrier oil. Common carrier oils are coconut, jojoba, olive, or almond oil. Applying at full strength could cause issues with your skin, such as irritation or rash, or worse.
As a general rule of thumb, a one percent dilution is recommended for use during pregnancy. This means 1 drop of essential oil for every ~100 drops of carrier oil or lotion.
Use Caution During the First Trimester
While you should always exercise caution with essential oil use regardless of where you’re at in your pregnancy, this is especially important during the flurry of development that occurs in the first trimester. During pregnancy, the first trimester is the most critical time and any risk of exposing your developing baby to a toxic substance should be avoided at all costs.
Do Not Ingest
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Do not ingest essential oils, ever. There is no research that supports ingestion of essential oils; we recommend using inhalation or topical application.
The Source of Your Essential Oils Matters!
A huge mistake people make when shopping for essential oils, regardless of if they are pregnant or not, is buying from a cheap, unregulated source. Stick to reputable brands, and verify the oils are completely unadulterated. The best essential oils are derived 100 percent from plants without any fillers or byproducts.
Can Essential Oils Be Used for PostPartum Recovery?
Absolutely! Whether you’re looking for emotional or physical support, essential oils are a great option. Just be sure to use them with extreme care — especially around your newborn.
Some of the best essential oils that are generally safe to use during postpartum include:
Bergamot. Helps soothe tension and support feelings of mental wellness
Helichrysum. Promotes skin regeneration to heal stretch marks and scars
Lavender. Could soothe irritated skin
Melaleuca. Diminishes c-section scar and stretch marks
Clary sage. Eases afterpains and balances hormones
Lemon. Combats the “baby blues”
Frankincense. Promotes clarity
Rosemary. Boosts energy and motivation
Copaiba. Supports post-birth pain management
Basil. Increases milk supply
Thieves. Strengthens the immune system
Fennel. Supports healthy lactation
When it comes to breastfeeding and postpartum care, it’s always a good idea to consult your primary healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant before using any new medication, supplement, or essential oil.
Note: if you’re using any hot oils like clove, arnica, cinnamon, or peppermint on your skin, be sure to apply them to areas that won’t be touching your tiny new family member. It’s also important to keep in mind that some essential oils can be harmful to newborns — like birch, douglas fir, and wintergreen — so always do your due diligence and talk with your doctor before use.
At Mama Bear Massage we love incorporating essential oils into any customized therapeutic session. Using essential oils during pregnancy can be extremely helpful, when used appropriately and with caution. If you have any questions or would like any guidance on how to safely incorporate essential oils into your self-care regimen, please ask your LMT or email info@themamabearmassage.com.