During pregnancy, you need to rest more than ever. Especially if you are interested in fragrances, you can use essential oils in different situations during your pregnancy to relax and have a relaxing time.
Of course, you must consult your doctor before using any of these oils. Although many essential oils do not cause any danger during pregnancy, there are some cases where further caution or total avoidance is needed.
The main feature of oils with a pleasing aroma is that they help you keep calm and relieve stress. In addition, using them in bath water to soak them will positively affect the skin of your baby bump and help keep it soft and shiny.
Generally, using essential oils is considered a natural method to reduce the effects of hormonal and physical changes and a relieving technique. You can use these oils according to specific instructions printed on their package; this method is called aromatherapy.
But there are many questions surrounding the application of fats during pregnancy, like can I use castor oil during pregnancy? Or what is the use case of evening primrose oil in pregnancy? What is the best belly oil for pregnancy to help you prevent stretch marks?
Definition of Essential Oils & Their Types
Essential oils are extracts obtained by pressing or steaming various parts such as flowers, leaves, or barks of aromatic plants. The said extract contains the aromatic chemicals of that plant.
Therefore, when you smell the aroma of these plants, your nervous system is triggered.
It sends signals to the part of your brain related to emotion and behavior and creates a feeling of relaxation.
Before using these oils or booking an appointment for an aromatherapy massage, you should know that doctors have different opinions about the necessity, benefits, and harms of using the essential oils.
This is because essential oils contain chemicals that can be absorbed by your body and may reach and harm the fetus. As a result, avoiding aromatherapy in the first trimester of pregnancy is better.
Especially from the point that during this period, problems such as nausea, dizziness, and insomnia are more severe until the hormones stabilize in the next trimesters.
In addition, at this time, your baby is more vulnerable than at any time. Therefore, it is generally better to postpone the use of these oils to the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Among the essential oils that you can use during pregnancy are:
- German and Roman chamomile
- Geranium
- Mandarin
- Bergamot
- Frankincense
- Lemon
- Eucalyptus
Each one of them may have a different application.
Instructions for Using Essential Oils
After you have cleaned the use of essential oils with your doctor or midwife, you need to pay attention to some safety tips.
Choose essential oils that have been approved by reputable authorities
Although there are wide varieties of essential oils brands in the market, not all of them have the necessary quality they claim.
So, to choose an oil for any consumption, that brand must be at least approved by the FDA. After purchasing the oil, pay attention to the instructions for storage and use and the valid date of the product. For example, you should always keep these oils out of the reach of children or pets.
Before use, essential oils need to be diluted.
To dilute essential oils, you should use them with other oils such as coconut oil, almond oil, or grape seed oil. The way to combine is to mix 1% of the essential oil or less with these oils. If you want to pour the essential oil directly into the bath water, limit the number of drops to three or four. Please do not use more than this amount of essential oil for the bath because it may cause nausea.
Protect your eyes and skin from essential oils
If you plan to apply a little of the essential oil to different spots on your skin, you should know that the eye area is not suitable for its application. In addition, depending on the type of oil, using it on your skin and then being exposed to the sun may cause burns. You should also ensure that your skin does not react to the oil. In addition, never ingest the essential oil.
When using essential oils, pay attention to the proper ventilation
The fundamental rule here is to never use a particular oil too often during an extended period. Instead, use different oils. Also, ensure the room is ventilated if you want to put essential oil in the vaporizer.
Application Cases of The Essential Oils
Some applications of essential oils include the following:
Eliminating the effects of morning sickness
One of the best uses for essential oils during pregnancy is to use it to have a pleasant feeling in the moments when you feel sick. You can use fresh scents such as peppermint and lavender any time of the day when the signs of nausea appear.
For example, apply a small amount of these essential oils to your wrist or neckline and inhale its pleasant smell. For example, you can use one or two drops of ginger essential oil in your favorite homemade biscuit recipe.
Use essential oils during delivery and postpartum.
If you are a fan of essential oils, you can also consider surrounding yourself with your favorite scent on your due date. One way is using fragrance free oil to induce labor by helping with cervical ripening. In this case, some suggest taking castor oil to induce pregnant women's cervix and help it open enough for the baby to come out.
To work, you should take about 4 tablespoons of castor oil at 40 weeks to 41 weeks of pregnancy to have labor within 24 hours. There are some medical reviews on castor oil's effects and side effects.
Some people find relief from their favorite scent when they are in pain or anxious. Therefore, choosing a smell like orange and applying it to your pulse points are okay.
Even after delivery, you can add one or two drops of oil like Ylang Ylang to your moisturizing cream to do routine skin care.
Use essential oil to scent your home and bath water
You can put some essential oil in the vaporizer and enjoy the fragrance that spreads throughout the space. Close your eyes and relax by inhaling the air infused with a lovely scent like Roman Chamomile. Be sure to check the air conditioning in advance, and the amount of oil you use should be limited so as not to be overwhelming.
The same recommendations apply to the use of essential oils in the bath. Just put scents like Rose or Frankincense in the tub water and enjoy having a blissful soak.
Essential Oils to Avoid during Pregnancy
Some essential oils should not be used during pregnancy due to effects such as uterine contractions or significant allergic reactions they may cause:
- Cinnamon
- Jasmine
- Wintergreen
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Anise star
Conclusion
Using essential oils during pregnancy to reduce anxiety and stress is called aromatherapy. For example, during pregnancy, women experience changes in their hormone levels that result in insomnia and nausea. You can use essential oils with your favorite scent to provide a relaxing environment for yourself to distract you from pain and stress.
Before using for massage, adding to a warm bath, or pouring into the vaporizer, these oils must be diluted with a carrier oil. Also, these oils are available in many scents, depending on your taste and doctor's approval for consumption.