How To Use Essential Oils Safely During Pregnancy

Essential oils are known to improve sleep, reduce nausea, soothe anxious feelings, and relax achy muscles. They almost sound like they were made for pregnant moms. But the research on how they may impact unborn babies and moms-to-be is still limited. So, to get the most out of your aromatherapy experience, it’s essential you learn how to use essential oils safely during pregnancy.

Choose Quality Oils

Essential oils can be pricey, so it may be tempting to choose a cheaper alternative. But be wary of picking oils that are of lower quality. They may be using plants that are not grown or harvested in a way that will give you the greatest benefits. Even worse, they may contain added synthetic ingredients you don’t want. Make sure to check a business’ practices and its ingredient lists before you shop.

Pro-Tip

If you want the most control over what goes into essential oils, you could try making them yourself. Just grow an aromatherapy garden, invest in some distillation or extraction equipment, and you’ll be able to make oils both during and after your pregnancy.

Use It at the Right Time

The early days of your pregnancy are vital for your baby, as this is when all your baby’s organs form. There isn’t necessarily research that suggests essential oils will harm developing babies, but as we said, research has been limited in general. Because of this, experts often suggest that women avoid using essential oils during the first trimester of their pregnancy; instead, it’s typically best to wait until the second or third trimester.

Diffuse, Don’t Ingest

Despite claims to the contrary, it’s never safe to ingest even quality essential oils. Consuming them, even in small amounts, can lead to poisoning. Applying essential oil to the skin through massages or topical balms is generally safe for users in the right quantities. Still, experts don’t recommend applying essential oils directly for pregnant women at this research stage. Thus, you should stick to dropping your oils into a diffuser to enjoy aromatherapy.

Use the Right Types

Although research has been limited, researchers have discovered that some oils negatively impact pregnant moms, potentially causing uterine contractions. If you’re trying to pick a scent, try to avoid these common oils:

• Basil
• Tansy
• Cedarwood
• Cassia
• Sage
• Clove
• Parsley
• Cinnamon
• Rosemary
• Rue
• Juniper berries

In general, most medical experts agree that aromatherapy is a safer option for pregnant women as opposed to topical applications. This simply means that you should use your essential oils in a diffuser rather than applying them to your skin.

As a mom-to-be, of course, you want a natural way to help take care of all the little aches and pains that come with pregnancy—especially if you’re pregnant with twins. Knowing how to use essential oils during pregnancy safely will help you take care of your needs while taking care of your baby.

Sincerely,