When dealing with pregnancy, you can feel bombarded with a dozen don’ts from all directions. For example, some moms-to-be are reluctant to eat certain types of fish because of the fear of mercury. But it is generally recommended to incorporate healthy fish into the diet. Likewise, the myth surrounding eating certain fruits confuses many moms-to-be.
The same applies to the use of oils during pregnancy. Understandably, the search for pregnancy-safe essential oils is warranted. This concern simply stems from the concern about using essential oils during pregnancy. But does it make sense? Let’s break down the important details to make an informed decision.
Benefits of essential oils during pregnancy:
Contrary to popular belief, there is no health prohibition against using essential oils. In contrast, certain oils can be effective in providing therapeutic benefits that can reduce many pregnancy complications.
Let’s explore some benefits of essential oils in pregnancy. Here’s how they can help:
- help reduce nausea and stomach upsets
- relax sore muscles
- they help reduce irritation and slow down the inflammatory process associated with hemorrhoids
- improving sleep quality
- enhance the elasticity of the skin
- reduce the appearance of stretch marks
- help reduce anxiety during childbirth
Safety of essential oils during pregnancy
Contrary to the common concern about essential oils that they can be metabolized into toxic compounds, experts say they are generally safe as long as the oils are used in the right doses.
All you need to do is stick to the recommended amounts and follow the directions. Consult your doctor to address your questions and concerns.
Guidelines for using essential oils during pregnancy
Most importantly, do not use essential oils in the first trimester. The first trimester is the most vulnerable period of pregnancy, so the developing fetus should not be exposed to any kind of toxic substance.
However, if you are in your second or third trimester, be sure to follow the safety precautions below while using acceptable essential oils.
Do not consume essential oils
Essential oils are not food and should not be taken by mouth even if you are not pregnant unless directly supervised by a doctor or specialist. A number of essential oils can affect expectant mothers and their baby if taken internally without guidance.
Focus on Aromatherapy
Many expectant mothers wonder if they can use alternative treatments such as aromatherapy during pregnancy. Essential oils are very accessible for women to use without any guidance or knowledge of the potential risks and benefits. Central to the idea of many reports is that aromatherapy is a safer option for a pregnant woman as opposed to topical applications. This simply means using your essential oils in a diffuser instead of applying them to your skin.
Dilution is critical
Whether you’re pregnant or not, if you decide to use oils on your skin, then you’ll need a carrier oil, as it’s known, to do so safely. The reason is that essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation if applied directly without dilution.
Safe essential oils for expectant mothers
Given the myths and misconceptions about possible dos and don’ts, many wonder what essential oils might be safe for moms-to-be.
While some essential oils may not be harmful during pregnancy, the safety of these products may depend on different trimesters and how they are used. For example, the use of a few oils is only allowed during the second and third trimesters. Seeking medical advice before using essential oils during pregnancy is essential.
Here is a list of some safe essential oils during pregnancy.
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- Eucalyptus
- Incense
- Grapefruit
- German or Roman chamomile
- Lavender
- Mandarin
How to use essential oils in pregnancy
Always check with your doctor before using essential oils during pregnancy. Here are some essential oil safety guidelines for expectant mothers.
- Do not swallow them
- Do not apply them directly to your skin
- Diffuse the oil or sniff it on a tissue to enjoy the aroma
- If you plan to apply it to your skin, mix it with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba
- Do a patch test on a small area of your skin
- Keep your mixture mild
- Using a concentration of about 1% to 1.5% is generally considered safe.
Essential oils to avoid during pregnancy
Not all oils are benign for the body during pregnancy. Certain oils should be avoided completely, especially those that cause uterine contractions or stimulate the uterus. Let’s avoid the following oils during pregnancy:
- Anise
- Royal
- Camphor
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Hyssop
- Mugwort
- Nutmeg
- Pennyroyal
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Wintergreen
Bottom line
Essential oils can provide many benefits during pregnancy. However, we must keep in mind that certain types of oils and ways of application should be treated with caution or even avoided. In other words, seeking medical advice from a healthcare professional to ensure safety is always advisable when using essential oils.
