There are many essential oils that are safe to use during pregnancy and they can be a powerful choice for natural relief from many common symptoms experienced while pregnant.
You can have a happy pregnancy while enjoying your favorite oils. Keep reading for a list of specific essential oils that are safe to use in your pregnancy routine.
Essential oils have been used to support our health since ancient times. They can be safely and effectively applied topically, internally or aromatically to support your body while it goes through this journey of pregnancy.
This article will cover some of the most popular essential oils to use during pregnancy, and will cover a few essential oils you should limit or avoid all together. There’s also some pregnancy diffuser blends to help boost your mood.
It’s important to check with your health care provider before the use of essential oils.
How to Use Essential Oils
There are three ways to use essential oils:
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Aromatic – Using your sense of smell to inhale the essential oils. We call this “aromatic” use of essential oils. This includes any application method that helps you experience the aroma of the oil. You can use essential oils aromatically by:
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Topical – The application of essential oils on your skin allows the oil to absorb into the skin. Some ways to use essential oils on your skin are:
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Internal – Ingesting essential oils allows the oil to be transported throughout your body. Make sure the essential oil is safe for internal use first, and then try one of these methods:
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Safe Essential Oils You Can Use During Pregnancy
There are many essential oils to choose from and most are safe to use during pregnancy. To keep things simple, here are the Top 10 most popular choices that are safe to use while pregnant. These 10 essential oils can help with the most common symptoms experienced while pregnant.
Most essential oils are safe to use while pregnant and there are many to choose from for a variety of ailments. Here are some of the most popular and commonly used, along with what to use each oil for.
Lavender – Promotes relaxation and is excellent for helping with tender sore breasts in the first trimester. Use before bedtime to help calm the mind and get a good night’s sleep.
Copaiba – Supports sore muscle aches and joints. As your body changes, the stress on your joints and muscles increases. Copaiba can help. Apply it topically to joints and muscles as needed.
Adaptiv™ – Helps ease anxious feelings and promotes relaxation
Vetiver – Calming and grounding effect on emotions. Use before bed to turn off your brain and fall asleep quicky.
Breathe® – Promotes easy breathing and a restful night’s sleep. Use in a diffuser next to your bed to open up airways.
Peppermint – Alleviates occasional stomach upset and heartburn. Add a drop to a glass of water or empty veggie capsule or rub over belly to help with nausea. You may want to consider stopping use of Peppermint just before baby is born if you are planning on breastfeeding. The reason is some women have experienced decreased milk supply when using peppermint. It is just fine to use throughout your pregnancy right up until baby is born.
Lemon – Add 2 drops to a full glass of water to naturally aid in digestion
Frankincense – Supports healthy cellular function and helps ease anxious feelings
DigestZen® – Helps reduce gas, bloating, and occasional indigestion
Deep Blue® – Apply to lower back if it is hurting, sore feet, and any aching muscles or joints.
What can essential oils be used for while pregnant?
Essential Oils for Nausea – Peppermint, Ginger, Cardamom, Digestzen. Many women love the doTERRA Ginger Drops.
Essential oils for pregnancy back discomfort: Massaging soothing essential oil blends like Deep Blue® on the lower back can be helpful when experiencing back discomfort. When discomfort in the legs or feet arise, rubbing the AromaTouch® Massage Blend on the lower extremities can help these problem areas.
Essential Oils for Better Sleep: Diffuse a calming essential oil such as Lavender, or Serenity next to your bed at night. You can also apply calming oils topically to your pulse points to help calm your mind and body before bed. A popular combination is Lavender and Vetiver.
Essential oils for heartburn: DigestTab® Chewable Tablets are infused with the DigestZen tummy tamer blend, delivering digestion-supportive oils, and the acid-neutralizing benefits of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate helps maintain stomach acid balance to help you deal with the discomfort that comes from heartburn and indigestion—without the chalky aftertaste.
Essential oils for better skin during pregnancy: A pregnant woman’s body is ever-changing, and this includes changes in the skin. As the body works to keep up with a growing fetus, the skin can often become stretched and taut. Another challenge that many women experience during pregnancy is an increase in oil production of the skin. Thankfully, many essential oils can help to reduce the appearance of oily skin, reduce the appearance of blemishes, and beautify the skin.
Here are a few of the best essential oils for skin during pregnancy:
- Frankincense oil
- Grapefruit oil
- Helichrysum oil
- Immortelle Anti-Aging Blend
Essential oils for emotional support during pregnancy: In addition to all of the changes occurring in the body during pregnancy, the changes in a woman’s hormones can cause heightened emotions. To manage mood during pregnancy, consider using any of the essential oils from the doTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy System™. This collection provides a variety of oils to help you deal with the wide range of emotions that you’ll encounter throughout your pregnancy. Use these oils and any of your favorite calming, soothing, or uplifting oils to help manage your mood during the emotionally taxing months of pregnancy.
Where should essential oils be applied during pregnancy?
Essential Oils can be applied anywhere on the body. It’s best to apply the oil directly on the location needing it. For example:
For morning nausea: apply a drop of cardmom, peppermint and digestzen directly over the belly.
For head tension: rub one drop of peppermint and lavender onto temples
For stuffed nose: Rub one drop of Breathe on the bridge of the nose for clear airways
For grounding / stress: Rub Balance, Serenity, Lavender or Adaptiv over the heart
For Lower Back Pain: Rub one drop of aromatouch and deep blue rub on the back
For feet: Rub 1 – 2 drops of serenity and vetiver before bed to help with deep sleep.
* It’s important to note that some essential oils may cause irritation when applied directly onto your skin. It is best to dilute them with carrier oil before applying.
Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy
Clary Sage – this can stimulate contractions
Jasmine – ok for very occasional use. Use just after giving birth
Myrrh – ok for very occasional use. Use just after giving birth.
It’s also recommended to only lightly use the “hot” oils. They are ok for very occasional use. These include:
- Cinnamon
- Cassia
- Clove
Wrapping up
Essential Oils can be a wonderful choice for natural remedies during pregnancy. Be sure to dilute the oils and check with your midwife or doctor.
As a general recommendation for anyone, pregnant or not, use caution when using citrus oils topically because of their photosensitivity. What this means is if you apply a citrus oil topically to your skin, avoid being in direct sunlight immediately after because you will be very prone to a sunburn.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article and products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
