Let’s start with this – while there is no blanket ban on using essential oils while pregnant, their use should not be indiscriminate, but with an understanding of the benefits and harms of using them. There is evidence that some essential oils may provide therapeutic benefits that can improve common pregnancy conditions, soothe anxiety, skin care, headaches, back pain, and more.

In this article, we will share some proven and effective tips for the best care for pregnant women and women who have recently given birth, using valuable carrier (plant) and essential oils . We will consider valuable information from proven experts in the field of aromatherapy, such as the scientific specialists at Primavera.

Morning sickness

Essential oils of ginger, bergamot, orange, lemon, grapefruit, red/green mandarin, sweet and spearmint have been shown to be helpful for mild nausea during pregnancy. Fresh scents are easier to perceive than heavy, earthy or flowery scents. However, pregnant women may not like all of the mentioned fragrances. Here, everyone has to rely on their sense of smell to choose the right scent.

Inhaled anti-nausea aid

Drop essential oils onto an aroma stone or in an aroma diffuser, or use a regular handkerchief. Inhale the aroma when you feel unwell.

Skin care

Many pregnant women are afraid of stretch marks – but even if they do appear, every woman should be proud of what they show rather than worry about how they look. You can use the following recipe to minimize the formation of stretch marks or prevent them from appearing at all.

Skin care to prevent stretch marks

Mix the organic carrier oils in a 100ml bottle. Then add the essential oils, close and shake well. After showering, apply to the still damp skin of the abdomen, chest, thighs and buttocks and massage. Put a small amount of the oil in your hand and rub it into your abdomen. Massage in small and large circles in a clockwise direction. Combine the massage with a cold Kneipp shower and cold brushing to improve blood circulation in the skin, which in turn also contributes to its elasticity.

Apricot kernel oil supports skin elasticity and has a smoothing, firming and soothing effect. It absorbs quickly and is suitable for sensitive skin. Rosehip oil has an intensive restoring, smoothing and hydrating effect on the skin. Its exceptional array of fatty acids makes it an effective scar treatment oil. Rosehip oil is used in body oil blends to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy as it helps skin elasticity.

Support for headaches and back pain

During pregnancy, many women look for alternatives to traditional remedies. The powerful oil of peppermint can relieve tension headaches, and the Kneipp method of soaking your feet in cold water from the knees down is also worth a try. To do this, run cold water over your feet, calves, and knees, starting with your right foot. Peppermint essential oil is beneficial during pregnancy, but it should not be used after the baby is born.

For back pain, warming massages and compresses relax tense muscles. Specific yoga and stretching exercises can provide additional support.

Back massage "Warmth and well-being"

Mix the almond and St. John's wort oils in a 50ml bottle, drop in the essential oils, cap the bottle and shake well. Massage the affected areas with it and keep it as warm as possible. Almond oil gently cares for sensitive skin and is ideal for baby massage and as a bath additive.

Spray emulsion "Light legs"

Drip the essential oils into the apricot kernel oil. Top with witch hazel hydrosol. It is best to cap with a spray pump dispenser and shake well. Shake before each use and apply the light emulsion to the affected areas of the body. Storing in the refrigerator also ensures a wonderful feeling of freshness.

When joy turns to sadness

Unfortunately, not every pregnancy goes smoothly, some women have complications or problems with the fetus. Any such news is extremely stressful, and every woman experiences such fears during pregnancy. Of course, regular examinations and care for women in labor can give them some peace of mind.

Feeling that they are not alone and that they can talk about it helps pregnant women cope with such life situations. It's good to talk to people you know or seek professional help.

As a concomitant therapy in such moments, you can use Iris oil, which is also contained in the “ Relax” diffuser blend . Iris essential oil, which smells extremely pleasant, is obtained in an extremely complex process and is one of the most expensive oils in existence. It has a balancing, calming, uplifting and at the same time grounding effect. Iris gives strength and support in extreme situations. It helps with despair, strengthens the psyche and gives comfort.

Rubin "When Words Don't Help"

Put 10 ml of almond oil in a glass or roll-on bottle and add a drop of iris essential oil 1%. Apply to the solar plexus (chest area), behind the ears, on the pulse points and consciously inhale the aroma. This blend is also perfect for roll-on, making it easy to use on the go.

Preparing for birth

You can choose a scent, according to your preferences, to accompany the preparation for birth and the birth itself if desired. Choose a few essential oils and fragrance blends that you like. The scent you choose can also be used in breathing training during birth preparation.

Massage oil for the perineum

Drop the essential oil into the rosehip oil. Massage the perineum:

Wash your hands well and keep your nails short. Sit comfortably with a pillow behind your back or elevate one leg.
Put a little oil on your fingertips and massage the perineal area and the tissue around the vaginal opening in a circular or star-like motion.
Daily repetition of the massage stimulates blood circulation and trains tissue elasticity.

"Relaxing Heat" Bath Salts

Place the sea salt in a jar with a screw cap and add the essential oils, screw the cap on and shake well. Pour under running water.

If the labor room or birthing center has a bathtub, a relaxing soak before or during labor is a great way to relieve pain and build strength for the labor pains.

Postnatal care

When treating scars after a natural birth or caesarean section, cold-pressed rosehip oil is intensely nourishing as it supports skin regeneration. Thus, it helps to smooth the skin and reduce the visibility of scars. Apply neat or as a mixture according to the perineal massage oil recipe. Simply massage the closed scars gently twice daily.

Bath salts for the intimate area

250 g of high-quality sea salt
4 drops organic yarrow
4 drops organic palmarosa
screw jar (for 250 g of salt)

Drop the essential oils directly into the screw cap jar. Add some sea salt and shake well. Add the remaining sea salt and shake again.

If necessary, put 2 teaspoons of the mixture in a basin (a baby bath works too); it is recommended that the mother bathe in it once a day. Alternatively, 2 teaspoons of the salt can be dissolved in 1 liter of lukewarm water to rinse the intimate area.

White yarrow can quickly soothe stressed and irritated skin. Bath salts are ideal for frequent baths after childbirth. They also have a constructive, relaxing and supportive effect in the new phases of life.

Irritated Nipples – Calendula Cooling Pads

20 ml organic calendula oil
20 ml of brewed chamomile tea, cooled

Use washed pieces of cloth (it is recommended to boil them) measuring approximately 15 × 15 cm, made of pure natural material (organic cotton, linen).

Mix the chamomile tea and calendula oil in a jar with a screw cap and shake very well to obtain the most homogeneous mixture possible. Soak the pieces of cloth with it and freeze them in the freezer (10 pieces). The compresses prepared in this way can be thawed individually and used quickly after thawing (within one or two days).

In the case of irritated, reddened nipples, place the cooled pieces of cloth over the nipples in a way that is comfortable for the mother. Cooling compresses are also suitable for soothing the skin in the intimate area.

Which essential oils are suitable and which are not during pregnancy?

The following can be used in a dose of up to 1%: Lemon grass, peppermint, rosemary camphor, yarrow, juniper berries, lavender spike.

Under certain circumstances, monoterpene ketones and monoterpene phenols may have an abortifacient effect and therefore should not be used during pregnancy. The essential oils they contain are anise, bitter gourd, lavender sage, oregano, thymol thyme, Turkish thyme, sage, wintergreen, cloves, lemon verbenone, hyssop, cinnamon bark.

Which essential oils are suitable for infants?

The following oils can be used in infants at a dose of 0,5%: angelica root, anise, benzo siam, kayaput, roman chamomile, coriander seed, extra lavender, fine lavender, red mandarin, Turkish/Peruvian myrtle, rose, geranium, palmarosa, vanilla extract, thyme linalool.

Author of the article
VICTORIA LACHER, born in 1987, has been a trained healthcare assistant since 2009 and came into contact with the valuable essential oils in her previous field of work – in the intensive care unit. After graduating with a degree in “Healthcare Economics” in 2018, she worked at the PRIMAVERA Academy. In 2019, she completed additional training to become a PRIMAVERA Aroma Expert, and since 2021 she has been working as an instructor and leading aromatherapy courses.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy can support comfort during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, but always consult a doctor or midwife. Use only appropriate oils in low doses, dilute in carrier oils, and avoid oils with abortifacient potential. For more on safe use, read How to Use Essential Oils Safely and How to Use Essential Oils on Children.

Aromatherapy during pregnancy and childbirth