Essential oils will help you significantly throughout your pregnancy and then with your baby.

Essential Oils To Avoid During Pregnancy

Avoid the following essential oils topically or in excess for the entire pregnancy;

Aniseed, Basil, Bay Laurel, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Citronella, Clary Sage, Clove Bud, Coriander, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme.

Avoid the following essential oils topically or in excess during the first trimester;

Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemongrass, Pepper – Black, Pine and Rose.

Enjoy the other Dolphin Clinic essential oils and massage oils throughout the entire pregnancy with caution.

You can use any carrier or healing oil safely throughout the entire pregnancy.

 Essential Oils That HELP During Pregnancy

Although it is a wonderful time, there are often a few hiccups along the way. See below a few common pregnancy ailments, and some essential oils that might help.

Exhaustion: Use as a body or bath oil – Lavender* 8 drops, Grapefruit 8 drops, Chamomile* 6 drops – into 30mls Almond oil.

Haemorrhoids & Varicose Veins: To help prevent; use 15 drops Lavender*, 5 drops Lemon and/or Frankincense* into 30mls carrier oil. Gently massage the legs in an up-ward motion. Also use in a foot bath/bowl (2-3 drops of each into a bowl).

Indigestion: 30 drops of Cardomon to 30mls carrier oil. Rub over the abdomen and around the rib cage. Use only once a day.

Leg Cramps: Lavender* 10 drops, Ginger 3 drops – place in a bowl of hot water and soak your feet. Can also be used as a massage blend (add to 20mls carrier oil).

Morning Sickness/Nausea: A bowl of boiling water with 4-6 drops of Spearmint oil, placed on the floor by your bed overnight, will help keep the stomach calm. Use for 3 consecutive nights and then stop for 2 nights. If required repeat again for 3 nights. Alternatively fill a bowl with boiling water and add 2 drops of Ginger per 1 litre of water - cover your head with a towel and inhale for five minutes with your eyes closed.

Odema: Always consult your Midwife or Doctor if you have swelling. Rub this mixture over your ankles and legs (working upwards) and the fingers and arms (working upwards). Don’t use on the abdomen and only use once a day for 10 days. Ginger 3 drops, Pine* 2 drops, Lavender* 5 drops – into 20mls carrier oil.

Stretchmarks: Use Dolphin Clinic Stretchmark Prevention oil*. Use as an all over body moisturising and massage oil. Apply twice daily where stretchmarks may occur - abdomen, breasts & buttocks. Check our web site for further details of this very effective product.

 

BIRTHING: 

Induce labour: To help strengthen contractions and/or help bring on labour use Jasmine essential oil. Not to be used before your due date. Blend 10 drops with 10mls carrier oil. Rub onto the abdomen and/or lower back, and use in a hot bath (not during a water birth – the oils will come into direct contact with the baby).

Pain: To help ease pain use Clary Sage essential oil – 5 drops into 10mls carrier oil. Again rubbed onto the abdomen and/or lower back.

Relaxation – Lavender

Nausea – Lavender or Spearmint

 * Don’t use these oils before second trimester.

 

Postnatal Care

You have done it, the baby has arrived. Now make sure you look after yourself as well as your baby – baby needs you to be happy and healthy. Enjoy this time, it really does go by very fast. Before you know it they are talking and walking. And then comes arguing and partying……! 

Cracked nipples: Massage a little Rosehip seed oil (or wheatgerm oil is a less expensive alternative) into cracked nipples to help soften and heal them. Gently wipe any excess off prior to breastfeeding. However, a small amount won’t do any harm.  If they are severely cracked and infected use 10mls Calendula oil + 3 drops Chamomile oil. Wash off prior to feeding.

Perineum Repair: Use an old water bottle or sit in the baby bath. 3 drops Lavender, 2 drops Tea Tree, 10mls Calendula oil if you have it or Almond Oil. Squirt onto perineum after using the toilet and/or soak in baby bath 3-4 times a day for 10 minutes. I find squirting with an old  water bottle the easiest option (label the bottle so you or your partner don’t drink out of it!).

Post Natal Depression: Choose from one or a combination of the following oils to help make you feel special, calm you down, strengthen your nervous system and help lift depression. Mandarin, Geranium, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Rose. You can use one or ideally all of the following applications: vaporise, bath, massage, direct inhalation, or simply as a body oil throughout the day. For bath, massage and body oil add 12-15 drops of your chosen essential oil(s) to 20mls carrier oil (e.g. Almond).

Breast Feeding: To help increase the flow of milk choose ONE of the following essential oils; Fennel, Geranium, Clary Sage. Dilute 15 drops of essential oil into 30mls carrier oil (e.g. Apricot). Massage the breasts in a circular movement starting under the arms, working inwards and downwards and then up between the cleavage. Do this once a day, leave on as long as possible and wash it off prior to breastfeeding.