An In-Depth Look at Essential Oils and Pregnancy

Having a baby in your tummy for nine months can be a huge undertaking. There are a lot of do’s and don’ts and your doctor will tell you to take this or avoid that.

They’ll also advise you to take vitamins and get enough sleep to maintain your and your baby’s health.

To relieve pain and aches, some of your mommy friends may suggest trying essential oils. So, if you’re considering taking them up on their suggestion, you’re in the right place.

This post will explore the various health benefits of essential oils during pregnancy. We’ll also discuss which oils are safe for moms-to-be and which ones to avoid.

Let’s get started!

Essential Oils: A Quick Overview

Essential oils are natural compounds extracted from plant roots and stems and produced through a process called distillation.

This process draws out active ingredients and concentrated extracts. It also helps essential oils retain their natural aroma.

The way they’re produced and where they come from makes them generally harmless. In fact, many essential oils are safe even for pregnant women.

Tips on Using Essential Oils During Pregnancy

If you’re in the first trimester of pregnancy, we suggest you hold on a bit before using essential oils. The first three months are the most crucial stage of your baby’s development.

Luckily, these natural oils are quite safe for the baby once you enter your second and third trimesters.

Another thing to remember is to avoid taking essential oils orally. Pregnant or not, they may result in various health issues when ingested.

Also, don’t use essential oils that aren’t recommended for pregnant women. Don’t worry, we’ve included a long list of which oils are safe and which you should avoid.

Benefits of Essential Oils During Pregnancy

So, you’ve seen a few essential oil caveats for pregnant women. Now, it’s time to look at their benefits.

Reduce Anxiety

Hormonal changes and past pregnancy experiences are common causes of stress and anxiety for many pregnant women. In addition, your unborn child’s health and future responsibilities may also cause uneasiness.

The good thing is that essential oils are effective at combating anxiety. Their aroma could make your hypothalamus produce serotonin. Known as the “feel-good hormone,” serotonin counteracts anxiety and depression.

In other words, when you smell them, you stimulate your olfactory receptors. Consequently, they send signals to your brain telling it that it’s okay to calm down.

Thus, you can expect essential oils to maintain serotonin within a normal range. As a result, you’ll be happier and more relaxed.

Improve Sleep

If you’re having trouble falling asleep, essential oils can be a great remedy.

Lack of sleep has a negative impact on your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. In addition, sleepless nights could cause some pregnancy complications.

It may also lead to high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Likewise, you might experience longer labor if you’re not getting enough sleep.

Unfortunately, in the third trimester, many pregnant women find it difficult to sleep. The reason is that the increasing size and weight of the baby make it challenging for moms-to-be to find a comfortable sleep position.

The silver lining is that several studies say that essential oils make you relax and help you sleep soundly. Inhaling essential oils activates certain brain chemicals in the limbic system. These chemicals are responsible for controlling sleep.

Minimizes Nausea and Morning Sickness

Oftentimes, nausea and vomiting begin during the first month of pregnancy and continue until about 9–12 weeks into the pregnancy

However, some moms experience dizziness for the whole nine months. Experts believe that hormonal changes have something to do with this condition.

What makes nausea difficult to deal with is that it can strike at any time. What’s even more concerning is that it can also be accompanied by vomiting and dizziness.

The problem with vomiting is that it can lead to dehydration, which is something every pregnant woman must avoid at all costs.

There are several ways to minimize nausea during pregnancy, with essential oils being one of the most effective.

Experts observed and studied sixty-six pregnant women experiencing mild to moderate nausea and vomiting.

Half of the mothers who participated in this study were given essential oil, while the other half got sesame oil.

Guess what? Those who inhaled the aroma of essential oil showed significant improvements in their bouts of nausea and vomiting. Alternatively, the moms-to-be who were given sesame oil saw no changes in their levels of nausea.

Essential Oils That Are Safe for Pregnant Moms

Below are some essential oils considered safe to use when pregnant.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is an extract of the plant Lavandula angustifolia. It’s one of the most sought-after oils for anyone looking to ease anxiety and stress, including pregnant women.

It’s all thanks to its ability to encourage relaxation. Likewise, health experts believe it can treat diseases like eczema and fungal infections. On top of that, lavender oil also helps you deal with depression and insomnia.

Many pregnant moms use lavender oil as an aromatherapy treatment. Others add it to their baths to alleviate stress and pregnancy aches.

Lastly, this plant extract could help you during labor and make the whole experience slightly less exhausting.

Chamomile Oil

There are two variants of chamomile essential oil: Roman and German.

Like lavender oil, the former promotes relaxation and helps ease severe headaches, which is why Roman chamomile is the go-to essential oil for many pregnant mothers.

On the other hand, German chamomile is applied topically rather than inhaled via a diffuser.

Many moms use this essential oil after giving birth. However, you’ll be happy to know that it can help reduce stretch marks.

Lemon Oil

Remember when you were a kid and you were excited by the thought of selling lemonade? Well, the lemon comes in again handy now that you’re about to become a mom.

The good news is that the National Library of Medicine confirms that lemon oil is safe for pregnant women.

In fact, it’s known for its ability to relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A few drops of this essential oil into a diffuser could help you overcome dizziness.

Other Safe Essential Oils to Consider

If you’re looking for something to help improve your mood, try using wild orange and geranium oils. You could also give sandalwood a try.

In case you can’t find lemon oil, worry not. Both ginger and cardamom can help ward off morning sickness and ease nausea.

Lastly, if you’re after an essential oil to help you sleep, buy a bottle of rosewood. Likewise, neroli and frankincense promote relaxation, especially at bedtime.

Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy

The oils listed below may have health benefits for the general population, yet they’re deemed unsafe to use while pregnant.

These oils may result in health issues or cause an allergic reaction. That’s why medical experts recommend that you avoid them completely during your pregnancy.

• Parsley extract
• Camphor
• Basil
• Aniseed
• Birch
• Wintergreen
• Sage
• Pennyroyal
• Hyssop
• Wormwood
• Oakmoss
• Rue

How to Identify High-Quality Essential Oils

When buying essential oils, it’s important to pick out the ones with the highest quality.

To do that, make sure the label has information like ingredients and the oil’s purity. Also, try to stay clear of oils with additives such as fragrances and perfume.

Likewise, check and research the maker. It’ll be a lot safer to use essential oils manufactured by reputable companies.

Moreover, buy essential oils in glass bottles instead of plastic. The latter could lose its integrity and protective quality over time, which can alter the chemical makeup of the oil.

How to Safely Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy

Now that you know which oils you can use, use these tips to use them safely.

Diffusing essential oils while pregnant is the safest way to enjoy their effectiveness.

Start by putting a few drops in an oil diffuser. This device breaks essential oils into molecules and releases them into the air. When dispersed, the aroma will work to deliver the oil’s intended effect.

Using cotton balls is another way to diffuse essential oils. Just put a couple of drops on 5–10 cotton balls, then place the cotton in a nearby container or place them in corners around the room.

If you wish to use essential oils topically, we suggest using them with carrier oils, such as coconut, jojoba, and sweet almond oil. They help dilute the concentrated nature of essential oils so they’re not likely to cause skin irritations.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: an in-depth look at essential oils and pregnancy.

Whether you use them in a diffuser or apply them topically, they come with plenty of health benefits. For starters, their aroma does wonders to improve your mood, minimize morning sickness, and help you sleep better.

Always remember to talk with your doctor about which oils are better suited for you and your baby, particularly before applying any oils to your skin. After all, the whole point of using safe essential oils is to make pregnancy more exciting and less daunting.