Your guide to Postpartum Essential Oils
The process of having a baby is incredible and requires a lot of inner strength. During pregnancy, women are often told to avoid the use of essential oils. However, when used safely, they can be very effective. In this article, we’re telling you all about postpartum essential oils.
This article includes:
- What are essential oils?
- Essential oils in pregnancy
- Postpartum essential oils
- Using essential oils safely
- Essential oils for postpartum depression
- Essential oils for postpartum hormones
- Postpartum hair loss essential oils
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are often used in the process of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy involves healing and calming the body, which can be useful in many scenarios. Typically, essential oils contain plant extracts which are all believed to promote a different feeling.
There are various types of essential oil that you can get. These differ based on the way they are produced. You should only use 100% pure oils during pregnancy and postpartum. Essential oils with less than 100% purity may contain additional ingredients that could be harmful. Extracts are combined with a carrier oil so that they can be used.
Essential oils work by being inhaled. These trigger an emotional response in the brain. This means they can often be used to help a person become more relaxed. Interestingly, this can be achieved in multiple ways, such as lowering the heart rate and helping to control breathing.
Many people add essential oils to diffusers around the home. This can help to circulate the oils and leave you feeling more relaxed. Some people use a spray bottle to disperse essential oil around the home. You could also consider postpartum-safe bath salts containing the best essential oils!
Essential oils in pregnancy
As you progress through pregnancy, your body goes through many changes. These include both physical and mental changes. It’s always a good idea to build on your inner strength. This can make you feel more in control, confident and generally more positive. You can find out more about pregnancy essential oils.
First trimester
At the beginning of pregnancy, you may be advised to avoid essential oils. You should chat with your doctor if you are worried about pregnancy symptoms. These can include morning sickness and general worry. Sometimes, having a conversation about how you’re feeling can really help you to feel better.
Second trimester
As you get further into the pregnancy, you may notice different symptoms. These can include muscle aches and digestive changes, such as constipation. There are multiple oils that can be used to help combat this.
Preparing for birth
Towards the end of pregnancy, many women start to feel more nervous about what’s to come. This is the perfect time to build inner strength and do what you can to relax. Many women choose to have a pregnancy massage, where essential oils may be used. Some women pack an essential oil in their hospital bag.
Postpartum essential oils
Giving birth is a big deal, and you’ll likely need to spend a fair bit of time recovering. This is the case regardless of whether you had a vaginal birth or a c-section.
It’s also highly likely that you’re feeling rather tired after giving birth to your new baby. Some essential oils can be used to boost energy and mood. However, you may need to be a little more cautious if breastfeeding your little one. Again, you can speak to an aromatherapy expert for the best advice.
Your hormones will still be a little off balance, and it may take some time for them to return to pre-pregnancy levels. Some women may experience a hormone imbalance after giving birth. This can lead to you feeling more tired and can also lead to baby blues.
Positive mood-boosting essential oils for postpartum
To ease your negative emotions, you can use essential oils such as neroli, mandarin and chamomile. Chamomile is very well-known for its calming effect and can also help to promote more restful sleep.
Relaxing essential oils for postpartum
To boost your emotional responses, you can use lavender essential oil, patchouli and mandarin. These fresh essential oils can help you to feel more relaxed throughout the day.
Lavender is a popular essential oil due to its many benefits. Lavender can also be used diluted on the skin to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and to soothe the skin. Make sure that you are using 100% pure lavender oil.
Also, speak to an expert to ensure it is safe for your circumstances. You can dilute oils with moisturiser before you apply topically. Gently massage these into areas on your skin for topical use.
There are a number of oils that you should stay away from when pregnant and postpartum. These may have adverse effects, or their safety may not be fully assessed.
Using essential oils safely
During pregnancy, it’s always best to be cautious. There are many types of essential oils which are not suitable for a pregnant woman. Here are some tips for using essential oils safely during pregnancy and postpartum:
- Check that all oils are suitable for your circumstances
- Only use 100% pure oils
- Do not ingest any essential oil
- Use essential oils sparingly (maximum 1.5% dilution)
- Pure oils are typically packaged in a dark-coloured glass bottle
- Avoid rubbing undiluted oils directly onto skin
- Keep all essential oil away from children
Safety is paramount when it comes to you and your newborn baby. Therefore, you should always seek advice from an expert on essential oils during pregnancy and postpartum. They will be able to advise you on the best oils to use and which ones to avoid.
Not all oils are safe for pregnancy. There are often questions on whether to avoid peppermint oil, clary sage and more. Some, such as tea tree essential oil, are best avoided. Applying tea tree oil to the breast can alter the milk supply.
Essential oils for postpartum depression
You’ve likely already heard of baby blues. These are quite common and can occur just a few days after giving birth. Baby blues often leave you with a feeling of sadness and overwhelm. Many start to feel better after a few days, but others may be searching for ways to overcome the feeling.
Additionally, some women can suffer from postnatal depression. The advice is to seek support if your baby blues last more than two weeks. This could be a sign of postnatal depression. It’s important that you seek advice, even though talking about your feelings can be difficult. Sometimes it can help to write your feelings down.
Symptoms of postnatal depression
- Persistent low mood
- Feeling tired all the time
- Not feeling interested in things you were previously
- Withdrawing yourself from situations
- Trouble concentrating
- Scary thoughts
It’s very important to remember that you’re not alone when you seek emotional support. There are many other people who suffer from postnatal depression.
There are a few essential oils for postnatal depression, including lavender, lemon oil and bergamot. The lavender scent can really help you to relax. A few drops of zingy lemon essential oil can help you to feel more energised and boost your mood.
Don’t suffer alone, seek help and discuss how essential oils may be able to support you with postpartum healing. You’re not alone, and more people than you think will suffer from postnatal depression.
Essential oils for postpartum hormones
It’s quite common to feel a little all over the place after giving birth. After all, your hormones fluctuate again very quickly. Your body needs time to settle again.
One hormone that plays an important role in pregnancy is progesterone. Progesterone is responsible for boosting your mood and is at its highest level during pregnancy. After you give birth, the hormone decreases quite rapidly. This means you can be left feeling a little down.
The drop in progesterone is essential so that your body knows when to start producing milk. To support your breasts during postpartum, you could try geranium oil. For your mood, lavender and lemon are both safe recommendations.
Your hormones also play an important role in when your first postpartum period arrives. This is why some women get their periods back early, and others can wait a while. Feeding your baby with breast milk supply can cause period delays.
It can take around six months for your hormones to return to normal. When breastfeeding, it may take longer. Seek advice if you are worried about anything postpartum. The healthcare professionals will be happy to support you.
Postpartum hair loss essential oils
Postpartum hair loss can be disheartening, but the good news is that it usually doesn’t last long! The hormone estrogen causes changes to your hair during pregnancy. For some women, it can make the hair thicker. After giving birth, the hair tends to fall out, which is known as postpartum hair loss.
You should seek medical advice if your hair loss lasts longer than six months. You should also seek support if you notice larger clumps of hair. A doctor can conduct testing to ensure that it’s nothing serious.
A great oil for postpartum hair loss is cedarwood. Cedarwood not only promotes healthy hair but also a healthier scalp.
When you’re not pregnant, there are many essential oil options that you could look into, including:
- Roman chamomile
- Jojoba oil
- Witch hazel
- Frankincense oil
You’ll need to assess any risk factors associated with each essential oil and how to use them.
Always seek expert advice before using any oils to ensure they are safe. Be cautious when breastfeeding, as these can still reach your baby. It is even more important to seek advice when you are pregnant.
We hope this article has been helpful on essential oils postpartum. Essential oils can be used to help you feel more relaxed and happier. Make sure you follow all guidance to stay safe! Don’t just do your own research, seek expert advice.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!