For example, your abdomen should not be massaged during the first three months of pregnancy. Oils that are not safe for you to use Don't use the following essential oils while you are pregnant: basil; laurel; angelica Find out more here. Lavender Lavendula angustifolia - an evergreen woody shrub from the botanical family Lamiaceae. The combination of using essential oils with an aromatherapy massage or foot bath for women who have gone past their expected due date, They is evidence that suggests that aromatherapy encourages the onset of spontaneous labour and aids relaxation. Some essential oils are great to use during pregnancy, whereas others have not been cleared for use while expecting, as some can even induce contractions.According to Hopkins Medicine, essential oils are highly concentrated oil extracts of a plant. Using essential oils during pregnancy is safe as long as you practice extreme caution. Making our organic oils the purist, highest quality, most potent therapeutic and food grade organic oils, you can buy. Anti-spasmodic, anti-depressant, anti-septic, calming, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory. When using essential oils during pregnancy, it is important to keep the following things in mind: Only use essential oils under the supervision of your physician. A profoundly relaxing oil that may reduce anxiety, stress, panic attacks and depression. With one exception: Jasmine or Clary Sage can be used, following the birth, when. Peppermint is a great topical and aromatic oil for pregnant women but should not be taken internally. Antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, stimulant, sedative, carminative, mild diuretic. Condition Essential oils Frequent urination Sweet marjoram, cypress, neroli Abdominal discomfort Juniper, benzoin, lavender Heartburn Sandalwood, R chamomile, petitgrain Haemorrhoids Cypress, sandalwood, peppermint, S orange Morning sickness Petitgrain, sweet orange, mandarin Stretch marks Lavender, frankincense, rose, chamomile R Varicose veins Cypress, sandalwood, sweet orange Water … There is a whole new, precious being (or beings) growing within your body. Essential oils promote health and balance in the body. In fact, certain essential oils have proven to be immensely helpful in easing discomfort for expectant and nursing mothers. In general, you should avoid taking any unnecessary medicines or treatments when you’re pregnant. That's because lavender can be used to regulate periods. Distilled to make a light yellow liquid and a clear terpene-like penetrating top note and a warm sweet balsamic undertone. 15 Women with open wounds or contraindicating skin conditions, Women in the first trimester of pregnancy are not to have direct contact with essential oils. It is especially useful in the aiding relaxation which may in turn help promote physiological birth. If you then decide to use a complementary therapy, you should always consult a qualified practitioner. Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from fresh flowering tops and stalks. Can help to create a calming environment by releasing tension, deepens breathing and eases hyperventilation. The exciting news is that the NHS throughout the UK is also educating their midwives, and staff involved in caring for pregnant women on using Essential oils during pregnancy and even during labour to help ease the discomfort of labour. diffusion, topical, ingestion) because they're chemical makeup contains specific chemical constituents that should be avoided during pregnancy. Galper makes the following recommendations for her patients, but again, check with your health provider before trying them on yourself. The natural compounds of the plant are extracted by distilling or cold pressing the plant. Page last reviewed: 23 May 2018 Essential oils are growing in popularity both in the mainstream wellness and pregnancy and childbirth communities. Interest in using complementary therapies such as Aromatherapy is growing. Why All the Fuss Regarding Essential Oils and Pregnancy? Effective for nausea, vomiting and headache. Distilled lemon (Citrus limon) Distilled lemon can help lift energy and mood, and is great for a post … For more information, visit www.cqc.org.uk. •Common oils used are • Peppermint • Black pepper • Clary sage • Frankincense • Grapefruit • Lavender • Sweet orange May help reduce migraine and asthma as it helps to relax arterial and bronchial spasm. Organic food grade oils is a much higher standard, most other suppliers use. May help to relieve anxiety, depression, nervous tension and mood swings. Women: 1. Who are 37 weeks + gestation 2. Who have given verbal consent in any setting where maternity care is provided 3. Aromatherapy is a way of accessing and applying the therapeutic benefits of plants by using oils called ‘essential oils’ which are extracted from plants, usually by distillation. Few complementary or alternative medicines are known to be safe during pregnancy. May relieve muscular aches and pains as anti-spasmodic. For those wondering is lavender oil safe in pregnancy, the answer is yes. Can help in acute situations such as fainting, shock and tremors. Essential oils are very small molecules, which are permeable when applied on the skin, and can easily enter into the bloodstream. Leaflets can be translated into different languages or provided in an audio format within 48 hours. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you have never used essential oils and are pregnant, please consult with your health-care provider prior to use. Essential oils are blended with a carrier oil and used by the therapist to give you a massage – often a hand or foot massage. Additional essential oils that have therapeutic benefits and are safe for pregnancy (after the first trimester) include: bitter almond argan patchouli pomegranate ginger cardamom fennel cypress myrtle essential frankincense May aid the healing of wounds and is recommended for LSCS wound and sore perineum. quality oils. Information and updates about our services can be found on this website here, Who have given verbal consent in any setting where maternity care is provided, In latent phase, established labour, second and third stage of labour, Undergoing induction/augmentation of labour, Following discussion with the on call Consultant it may be possible to administer essential oils for an antenatal mother less than 37 weeks, Women who have been assessed and have contraindications excluded, Women with allergies to essential oils or citrus fruits, With threatened pre-term labour. The latest health information about Coronavirus can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Using Aromatherapy in labour - Resource Pack May 2018. Frankincense Boswellia carterii – A North African tree which is cut to produce frankincense tears. Rest assured that this does not mean using it in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage. In the context of fertility and pregnancy, essential oils can help balance hormones, heal old wounds (emotional and physical), and ease stress. There are many uses for lavender oil, and pregnancy can be a great time to try using this essential oil. Based on recommendations from essential oil experts, some essential oils (such as lavender, peppermint and chamomile oils) can be used during pregnancy, as long as the proper safety precautions are taken. It’s important to attend regular antenatal check-ups throughout your pregnancy. the lower health and beauty grades, and non-food grades for essential oils and vegetable oils. The carrier oil that we use for blending our essential oils for massage is grape seed oil. However, "complementary" is a better description, as they should be used alongside, but never replace, the treatment offered by your doctor. There is a lot of confusion over the safety of lavender essential oil in pregnancy. During pregnancy it is important to use lower % dilutions in the region of 1 to 2% - equal approximately 10 drops essential oil to 2 tablespoons of vegetable/base oil for body oils. Helps with decongestion. To find out more take a look at our leaflet on aromatherapy. This relaxation enables the reduction of adrenaline and a consequent increase in oxytocin which promotes natural physiological labour. I … Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the flowering tops, leaves and stalks. By breathing in essential oils Mix four drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of base oil, and add the mixture to an oil burner or a vapouriser. Smart ways to use essential oils for pregnancy. May aid maternal coping capacity for labour/contractions by relaxing the mother. Menu While many pharmaceutical drugs cannot be taken during pregnancy or by infants, many essential oils are highly effective … Pregnancy is a sacred and delicate time in a woman’s life. Close menu. Some oils are safe to use aromatically but not topically (like Lemongrass). Other oils, like oregano, nutmeg and clove bud oils, should be avoided throughout pregnancy. Choose your essential oils carefully — and never use one if you don’t know what it is. Women can use lavender essential oil while pregnant and due to its versatility, lavender is often considered the best oil to use during pregnancy. If you're using a massage therapist, ask your therapiest if she's experienced at treating pregnant women. All essential oils cross the placenta to your baby. The aroma is a ‘top’ note, delicately sweet and citrus. The Best Essential Oils for Pregnancy With good essential oils and expert guidance, you may find that aromatherapy can make you feel a lot better. Any medical condition i.e. These essential oils have been determined to be unsafe for use during pregnancy and lactation, via ALL ROUTES (i.e. If you are looking to explore essential oils whilst pregnant, some of the recommended ways include using them as part of a relaxing bath, on a compress, or on bedding to help promote sleep and relaxation. Essential oils are subtle, aromatic volatile liquids distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, barks, leaves, and seeds. Translate into: Arabic Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Italian Latvian Lithuanian Polish Punjabi Spanish Turkish Urdu View all languages >, Providing care together in York, Scarborough, Bridlington, Malton, Whitby, Selby and Easingwold communities, © 2021 York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Accessibility | Site map | Cookies policy, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is registered, and therefore licensed to provide services, by the Care Quality Commission (Provider ID: 1-114394658). L Wallbank (V3.0 March 2018) Page 18 of 25. In latent phase, established labour, second and third stage of labour 4. Peppermint Mentha piperita - The essential oil is steam distilled from the dried perennial herb. Aromatherapy in maternity care can lead to reduced use of opioid analgesia less need for augmentation as well as increased satisfaction in the care received. Complementary medicines and treatments include a wide range of treatments that are not usually used by most doctors in the UK. Blends like doTERRA Balance ®, doTERRA Breathe ®, doTERRA Serenity ®, are full of calming and soothing essential oils and can be used aromatically create a relaxing environment. epilepsy, kidney or liver dysfunction, cardiac disease, clotting disorders (including PE/DVT), unstable diabetes and cancer. Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy It is therefore important you receive safe advice from a person trained in the use of aromatherapy in pregnancy. Mandarin Cirtus reticulate – The rind of the fruit is cold expressed and is yellowish in colour. Relaxing, balancing, calming, analgesic, cheering, anti-viral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, bactericidal. If you're considering using a complementary therapy, it’s important to tell your GP or midwife about what treatment you’re considering. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic, uterine, vulnerary. They are becoming more common to use during pregnancy, labor and postpartum … Wintergreen essential oil is high in methyl salicylate (the naturally occurring version of aspirin) and should be avoided during pregnancy and birth because of its blood thinning properties. Essential oils for better sleep during pregnancy: Good sleep and rest are paramount during pregnancy. • To relieve nausea: Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, ginger. May reduce muscular aches and pains, is helpful with stress and insomnia and may reduce headache and/or migraine. Undergoing induction/augmentation of labour 6. Complementary and alternative medicine can't replace conventional antenatal care. In the bath add up to 8 drops of essential oil to the tub and mix well before getting in. This site uses cookies. Plants are used in a more concentrated way via Aromatherapy than in traditional herbal medicine. This is the use of the essential oils for pregnancies that have gone past their expected due date. Some NHS trusts even offer aromatherapy during labour to help reduce anxiety and tension whilst promoting muscle relaxation. You can get more information about qualified or registered practitioners from the organisations below: Homeopaths do not have to be registered with a regulatory body. While we often associate essential oils with scent For example, your abdomen should not be massaged during the first three months of pregnancy. And some herbal remedies, such as blue cohosh, can actually be harmful for the baby. Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy Oils that can cause contractions are a definite no-no—and that includes cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and clary sage. acupressure and ginger for morning sickness There are still times during pregnancy when they may not be safe. Highly versatile oil. But there is some evidence to support the use of: There are still times during pregnancy when they may not be safe. Essential oils are natural oils that are obtained by distillation and have a characteristic fragrance of a plant or other source from which they came. Essential oils pregnant and nursing mamas should AVOID. Essential oils are widely available and women may purchase and apply them with no training or education regarding risks and benefits. o A maximum of 3 different essential oils should be used in any one blend. Generally speaking these oils are considered ok to use in pregnancy with your midwife's consent: Peppermint (to relieve nausea) Ginger (to relieve nausea) Women who have been assessed and have contraind… Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-galactagogue, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, peripheral vasodilator, stimulant. Though this is not a comprehensive list, essential oils that appear to be safe to use during pregnancy include Benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii), Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), Geranium (Pelargonium xasperum), German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Juniper (Juniperus communis), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Lemon (… In this book, you will find essential oil recommendations for common conditions regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. Some oils are deemed safe to use at certain times during pregnancy and birth, however certain oils must never be used. Clary Sage Salvia sclarea - a stout biennial/perennial herb with large hairy leaves, green/purple, with small blue flowers belonging to the botanical family of Lamiaceae. According to Tisserand and Balacs, the following essential oils should not be used during pregnancy: wormwood, rue, oak moss, Lavandula stoechas, camphor, parsley seed, sage, and hyssop. Following discussion with the on call Consultant it may be possible to administer essential oils for an antenatal mother less than 37 weeks 8. According to the National Health Service (NHS), use of aromatherapy during pregnancy (through essential oils) has been proven to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation and empowerment, and aid in the process of childbirth. Important you receive safe advice from a person trained in the bath add up to 8 of. 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