advice for which oils to use pregnancy

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Dear every one,

This is first time had to ask for advice I have a lady 15 weeks pregnant my first pregnant client any advice what oils to use I was thinking of lavender lemon chamomile at 1% or 1.5 dilution I have GP permision the lady is just wanting some me pamper time and loves massage just want us both to enjoy experience without me being unconfident

thankyou love and best wishes Katy

 

[zonkers85]

I would stick with Mandarin to be on the safe side. Generally speaking the citrus oils are the gentlest and safest to use throughout pregnancy. 1 usually stay away from lavender for the first trimester - as it is an emmenagogue i.e. can promote menstruation. Also source your oils from a good supplier. I use about 1%.

Luv Binah

 

[aljyrcwe]

Dear Binah

thanks for reply I knew lavander was emmenagogue but was guided by aromatherapy an az by patricia davis and thought this was ok to use well diluted

 

[gpwoulux]

I used lavender oil all the way through my four pregnancies and I was fine. I used a lot of it at the end of my last pregnancy and I still had to be induced at 2 weeks over my due date. LOL So it doesnt always cause mc or help to induce.

I enjoyed using orange oil during my last pregnancy too as if uplifted me when I was tired.

 

[ltepfuqpijeirteph]

if there is a chance that the oils can cause these problems why would you want to take the chance?

on my maternity aromatherapy course it was advised that lavender and chamomile were not used until 25 weeks

katy - are you a qualified aromatherapist? if not maybe massage alone would be better - it is just as useful but less risky

 

[karim120292]

I would also advise using Mandarin alone until 13 weeks then I usually introduce a drop or 2 of other oils from then onwards. Keep the dilution down at 1% throughout pregnancy.
I've always been happy with Patricia Davies A-Z advice re which oils for pregnancy - she does errs towards the cautious side.
Working as a Midwife and Aromatherapist in the hospital setting, my colleagues and I developed guidelines which included; using no oils other than Mandarin until after the 20 weeks anatomy scan! I'm sorry to say, this was purely to cover our backs in case of litigation!

 

[jpeafuxeidfiqgecw]

I used lavender oil all the way through my four pregnancies and I was fine. I used a lot of it at the end of my last pregnancy and I still had to be induced at 2 weeks over my due date. LOL So it doesnt always cause mc or help to induce.]


Even using parturant Jasmin from 37 weeks onwards, we never managed to induce fed up ladies ! Though ofcourse I would still be cautious and not use it prior to that gestation - just in case !

 

[queenmorgan]

Dear vetiveria,

Thanks for your advice I am a qualified aromatherapist I like to be sure and safe for my clients

Love and light Katy

 

[???? ???? ???? ??j?]

Totally different take on essential oils during pregnancy - the chemical burden on the baby caused by modern life is HUGE. Why add to it with more chemicals if you don't have to? Essential oils are chemicals, natural (hopefully) chemicals but they are still chemicals. Got nothing to do with this oil will cause miscarriage or 5 headed babies, it's just when so many everyday petrochemicals have to be metabolised, why add more chemicals into a closed environment like the amniotic sack? http://archive.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/ Plus so many baby/stretch mark products now contain essential oils, you never know what their true exposure level is. I'm a fully qualified aromatherapist, that just uses jojoba on pregnant clients.

Not so much of a concern now with it getting colder, but some citrus oils photo-sensitivity, you've got to be careful with melasma. I think mandarin/tangerine are not photo-sensitive which is why they are teh standard recommendation.

 

[Sub-Zero]

In the "Aromatherapy - The Pregnancy Book" by Jennie Supper it says that Lavender should not be used in the first 3 months of pregnancy. She says that oils suitable and safe for pregnancy after the first 3 months are chamomile, cypress, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, lemon, mandarin, marigold, peppermit, sandalwood, tea tree and ylang ylang. In other sources over the years, I read that Lavender was safe during all stages of pregnancy so that is why I used it, although it was only a few drops in a bath... and at the end of pregnancy and labour I used it in massage oils...

 

[oldtownfolk]

Just some comments on some of the oils above recommended by Jennie Supper.



Cypress. Contra-Indication for pregnancy - regulates menstrual cycle.

Eucalyptus. Contra-Indication for high blood pressure. (could be contra if pregnant mother has high blood pressure)

Marigold.Contra-Indication - tagetes oil is a very powerful oil and should be used sparingly and should be avoided at all times during pregnancy.

Peppermint. Contra-Indication for pregnancy Contra-Indication for nursing mothers - may discourage milk flow.

Sandalwood. Contra-Indication for states of depression - may lower mood even further (could be contra if pregnant mother is depressed)

 

[mimi09]

I think we can as aromatherapists end up frazzled about various contraindications and though it is always wise to be cautious, we must not forget the benefits and comfort that an aromatherapy massage has to offer to pregnant women, who are often quite unsure about what is happening to themselves physically, having to prepare to make huge emotional adjustments and to prepare for the birth and it doesn't end there. It is a major life changing experience and aromatherapy can calm the waters, the doubts uncertainties, and ease the physical discomfort. We are massaging two souls at the same time - what a privilege for us as therapists.

I love working with pregnant women - enjoy it too.

Luv Binah
x

 

[prubsispoto]

Thanks healistic, I didnt know that about the peppermint. As I am a nursing mother, I will make sure I stay away from it!

Binhah, that is a lovely thing you wrote straight from your heart xxxx