18 April 2022 / Caitlin Devlin
How to safely use essential oils whilst pregnant
It’s possible to safely use essential oils during your pregnancy – here’s how.
The dos and don’ts of pregnancy can be confusing.
Pregnancy symptoms can be incredibly varied and can often have a significant impact on our quality of life.
Some women turn to essential oils for help with symptoms, in search natural solutions to their discomfort.
It’s great to seek natural remedies as part of your pregnancy journey.
However, when pregnant we have to pay extra attention to what we expose ourselves to, and whilst some people think that this doesn’t apply to natural products, it definitely does.
Essential oils are potent products, and like everything else, there’s a different set of rules when pregnancy is involved.
Here’s how to safely use essential oils whilst pregnant.
How can essential oils help with pregnancy symptoms?
Essential oils can relieve a number of common pregnancy complaints. For a start, essential oils are often used to minimise nausea and can therefore be incredible useful for those dealing with morning sickness.
They can soothe cramps and swelling, relieving pain in overworked muscles and helping to soothe swollen joints.
Certain essential oils can help to mask stretch marks, whilst many can soothe anxiety and stress, counteracting fluctuating hormones, and aid sleep even when we are in discomfort.
Some essential oils can even help to manage cravings.
Can I use essential oils throughout my pregnancy?
We generally don’t advise using essential oils during the first trimester.
This is generally the period at which the foetus is most susceptible to potent substances.
On the off-chance that the oils have a negative effect on your body, it’s best not to risk this during the first trimester.
Generally, it is perfectly safe to use essential oils during your second and third trimester, so long as you are following the safety information associated with the oil and you have consulted a healthcare professional first.
How do I safely use essential oils during my pregnancy?
It is generally better to avoid applying stronger and more potent essential oils directly to skin during pregnancy, even when you are using a carrier oil.
Gentler oils, such as lavender or geranium, can be combined with a carrier oil and massaged into skin.
You can also try adding essential oils to bathwater in order to soothe aches and pains.
Overall, the best way to use essential oils during pregnancy is by diffusing and inhaling them.
This gives you the least chance of an adverse reaction whilst allowing you to experience many of the oil’s key benefits.
Some blogs recommend ingesting essential oils to settle upset stomachs or relieve nausea.
This can be toxic and we never advise this, but especially not during pregnancy.
Which essential oils should I avoid during pregnancy?
Lots of essential oils can be irritating to the skin during pregnancy and it’s important to get medical advice before using any, but here are some that we particularly recommend avoiding:
- Aniseed
- Sage
- Basil
- Tarragon
- Birch Tar
- Hyssop
- Camphor
- Parsley
- Wintergreen
Make sure to always carefully research the oil you are planning on using.
In summary:
- Essential oils can help with a number of pregnancy symptoms.
- You should avoid using essential oils in the first trimester.
- Always consult a medical professional when deciding which oils to use and how to use them during your pregnancy. .
Shop our essential oils here.
