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Aromatherapy and Pregnancy

Use of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy During Pregnancy

Aromatherapy may be used successfully throughout the forty weeks of pregnancy to treat a wide range of conditions. Although no one can guarantee a healthy, normal baby, the risks can be substantially reduced if the mother takes good care of herself and follows a healthy diet and maintains a balanced state of mind. There is a great deal of controversy about which oils to avoid in the various stages of pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. But provided essential oils are used correctly and in the appropriate dilutions, the risk is slight.

Although you should be aware of the potential hazards of some essential oils, it is vital to keep it all in perspective. Instead of giving you a long list of so-called hazardous oils - some of which are referred to with no proof - I recommend that you use the oils which I have indicated for each condition. Naturally if symptoms are severe or persist then the advice of a doctor should always be sought.

Common ailments in pregnancy

Backache

Backache can become so severe that the mother can be incapacitated. Essential oils are marvellous for treating backache and they can be added to the bath, blended into a back-rub or used in compresses.

Essential oils for backache

Roman chamomile, black pepper, frankincense, geranium, ginger, lavender, sweet marjoram.

Add six drops of any of the above oils to a warm bath and relax or make a compress. For a back massage the following combinations may be useful:

2 drops Roman chamomile
1 drop geranium
1 drop lavender

1 drop frankincense
1 drop ginger
1 drop rose

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Constipation

It is vital for the pregnant woman to eat lots of 'natural foods' with plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibre. Also drink lots of water. Pregnancy is not the time to take chemical laxatives, which could be dangerous. Natural laxatives such as prunes are recommended and work excellently in combination with aromatherapy to ensure a regular bowel action.

Essential oils for constipation

Black pepper, Roman chamomile, lavender, lemon, patchouli, rose and sweet marjoram.

These oils may be used in a bath up to a maximum of six drops in total. The best method is to make up a massage blend and rub it into the abdomen in a clockwise direction.

Aromatic formulae for constipation

2 drops black pepper
1 drop lavender
1 drop sweet marjoram

2 drops Roman chamomile
1 drop patchouli
1 drop rose

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Cramp

Cramps in the legs appear to be more prevalent during the last months of the pregnancy and are often worse during the night.
One possible cause may be a lack of calcium.

Essential oils for cramps

Roman chamomile, cypress, frankincense, geranium, lavender, sweet marjoram and rosemary.

These oils may be used successfully in a footbath, or the legs can be gently massaged upwards from the ankle to the thigh.

Footbath for leg cramps

2 drops cypress
1 drop frankincense
1 drop geranium
2 drops lavender

Aromatic formulae for leg cramps

2 drops Roman chamomile
2 drops cypress
2 drops lavender

2 drops Roman chamomile
2 drops geranium
2 drops sweet marjoram

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness can be a problem in pregnancy, especially if the woman has other children to care for.

Essential oils for fatigue

Bergamot, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, neroli and rosemary.

For a 'quick fix' burst of energy the best method is inhalation. Sprinkle a couple of drops of the above oils - the citrus oils are particularly effective - on to a tissue and inhale deeply.

Alternatively, add six drops of any of the recommended oils to a bath or footbath or treat yourself to a massage using one of the following blends:

2 drops bergamot
2 drops geranium
2 drops lemon

2 drops grapefruit
2 drops lime
2 drops neroli

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Morning sickness

Although nausea is commonly experienced during the early stages, some women are unlucky enough to be subject to it right through pregnancy.

Essential oils for nausea

Ginger, lavender, lemon, mandarin, melissa, peppermint, petitgrain, rosewood.

The best method of using essential oils for morning sickness is by inhalation. Simply sprinkle two to three drops of any of the recommended oils on to a tissue, handkerchief or cotton wool ball and inhale deeply. You may also add them to your morning bath. A particularly lovely combination is two drops of ginger, two drops of mandarin, and two drops of petitgrain. A few sips of apple or orange juice prior to rising can prevent the excessive drop in blood sugar which accompanies nausea. A piece of dry toast or a biscuit before getting up can also be effective.

Stretch marks

In order to prevent unsightly stretch marks, massage the abdomen twice daily in a clockwise direction. Massage of the abdomen is also a wonderful way to establish contact and form a strong bond with your baby.

Essential oils for preventing stretch marks

Carrot seed, Roman chamomile, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemon, mandarin, neroli and rose.

As well as massaging the abdomen, you should also treat other areas which are susceptible to stretch marks - thighs, buttocks, breasts and upper chest.

Aromatic formula for stretch marks

1 drop carrot seed
2 drops frankincense
2 drops lavender
2 drops mandarin
2 drops neroli
1 drop rose

Note: Dilute it in 30 ml of carrier oil

Make up the above blend, shake well and store it in an amber coloured glass bottle. Add a little wheatgerm oil to whichever carrier oil(s) you have selected.

Varicose veins

To prevent the arrival of varicose veins caused by the extra pressure on the legs, pregnant women should ideally rest with their legs raised for at least half an hour a day. If you can manage to raise them several times a day for five to ten minutes this will also help considerably.

Essential oils for varicose veins

Cypress, geranium, lavender, lemon and sandalwood.

Gentle massage of the legs twice a day is also an excellent preventive treatment.

Aromatic formula for varicose veins

1 drop cypress
1 drop geranium
1 drop lemon
1 drop sandalwood

Note: Dilute it in 10 ml of carrier oil

Footbaths are also quite effective. Try two drops each of cypress, geranium and lemon in a bowl of hand hot water.

Aromatherapy and Pregnancy

Use of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy During Pregnancy

Common ailments in pregnancy

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Needs

Best Essential Oils