Easy Essential Oils During Pregnancy and Nursing

Essential oils can be invaluable companions during pregnancy. Oils like Lavender and Myrrh may help reduce stretch marks and improve elasticity of the skin. Geranium and Soothing Baby Blend have similar effects and can be massaged on the perineum (tissue between vagina and rectum) to lower the risk of tearing or the need for an episiotomy (an incision in the perineum) during birth.

Many essential oils and blends can be used during pregnancy and while nursing. Just dilute them properly. There are some that should not be used, however. That list can be found under the Safety Tips.

Application Method:

  • Topical: Dilute 50:50, massage 2-4 drops on reproductive Vita Flex points on sides of ankles. Also massage 4-6 drops on lower stomach and lower back.
  • Inhalation: Diffusion; diffuse Soothing Baby, Happiness or Courageous to reduce stress before and after birth. (Expectant fathers will also find this helps to reduce anxiety while waiting for delivery.)

Pregnancy Information

  • Anxiety/Tension – Focus (help mother focus on giving birth). Blend – Add 10 drops Lavender, 10 Tangerine or Orange, 2 Marjoram, 2 Atlas Cedarwood, 1 Roman Chamomile to 4 oz. sweet almond or fractionated coconut carrier oil. Use as a massage oil or in bath water.
  • Baby (Newborn) – Frankincense (1 drop on the crown for protection), Myrrh (on remaining umbilical cord and around navel to protect from infection), Courageous (1 drop – divide between both feet and 1-2 drops rubbed up spine to help ensure proper alignment).
  • Breasts – Fennel (tone), Roman Chamomile (sore nipples).
  • Conception – Do a proper cleansing for one year before. May want to start with the Master Cleanser. Detox Foot Pads also a good detoxification (once every 3 months).
  • Supplements – Sea Aloe Liquid Whole Food (take 1 oz. twice a day for first month, and either 1 or 2 oz. per day thereafter, according to body weight). Sea Aloe to help enhance detoxification while maintaining energy levels.
  • Constipation – Drink Lemon oil (1-2 drops) in each glass, 8-10 glasses of water per during pregnancy.
  • Delivery – Clary Sage, Soothing Baby, Lavender (stimulates circulation, calming, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic), Nutmeg (balances hormones, calms the central nervous system, alleviates anxiety, increases circulation, and good for blood supply), Courageous (align mother’s hips; apply along inside and bottom of each foot, then have someone hold feet-right palm to right foot and left palm to left foot- to balance energy flows; rub a couple drops along newborn’s spine for alignment). **Caution – Nutmeg is generally non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing. However, large doses may cause nausea, stupor, and tachycardia. Use in moderation and with great care during pregnancy. Always dilute Nutmeg one part to two parts carrier oil before use.
  • Avoid Episiotomy – Soothing Baby Blend or Geranium (neat or added to olive oil; massage perineum). Blend – 8 drops Geranium, 5 drops Lavender, 1 oz. pure carrier oil. Prepare three weeks before delivery and rub on perineum three times a day. One week before delivery, prepare same blend and add 5 drops Fennel. Continue applying three times daily.
  • Diffuse – Happiness, Focus, Peaceful, Moodlifting.
  • Uterus – Tone uterus with 1-3 drops Clary Sage around ankles (one woman dilated and had her baby in 1 1/2 hours), Female Blend, Fennel, Sage.
  • Transition – Basil.
  • Early Labor – Lavender (rub on tummy to stop).
  • Energy – Equal portions of Roman Chamomile, Geranium, and Lavender in pure carrier oil.
  • Hemorrhaging – Helichrysum and Soothing Baby together on lower back (prevent).
  • High Blood Pressure – Circulation Blend (heart). Avoid using Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, and possibly Peppermint.
  • Keep Baby in Birth Canal – Soothing Baby. ** Comments – One mother would rub Soothing Baby on her little fingers and little toes when contracting. Then she would squeeze the sides of her little fingers while someone else squeezed her little toes. This was repeated during contractions until the baby decided to stay in the birth canal.
  • Labor (during) – Clary Sage (kick labor into gear; some have combined with Fennel), Soothing Baby (apply to ankles and hands when labor starts), Jasmine (to speed up contractions), Focus (to help focus). Blend – (Use only when ready to deliver). 2 oz. pure carrier oil, 8 drops Clary Sage, 8 drops Lavender, 8 drops Jasmine. May be useful when trying to induce labor or augment a slow, lazy labor.
  • Pain – Pain Relief (apply to lower back and tummy area).
  • Labor (post) – Geranium, Lavender. ***Comments – Lavender is calming and has a slight analgesic effect. It also stimulates circulation, which is great for both mother and baby, and has anti-inflmammatory and antiseptic properties. Geranium is one of the best oils to stimulate circulation, which in turn facilitates easy breathing. It has a contractive effect and helps pull together dilated tissues, so it is healing for the uterus and endometrium after the birth. Geranium is also an anti-depressant and is known for its uplifting effect (Alternative Medicine – A Definitive Guide, pp. 806-7).
  • Lactation – See Milk Production below.
  • Mastitis (breast infection) – Citrus Bliss (with Lavender), Lavender, Tangerine. Blend – Equal amounts of Lavender and Tangerine. Dilute with some pure carrier oil and apply to breasts and under arms twice a day.
  • Milk Production – Clary Sage (bring in milk), fennel or basil (increase), peppermint with cold compress (decrease). Caution: Fennel should not be used for more than 10 days as it will excessively increase flow through the urinary tract.
  • Miscarriage (after) – Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender (may help prevent), Roman Chamomile, Spruce (2 drops on solar plexus).
  • Morning Sickness – Calamus, Digestive Blend* (1-2 drops in water and sip or 1-2 drops around the navel), Ginger, Migraine Blend, Peppermint. Apply on or behind ears, down jaw bone, over stomach as a compress, on Vita Flex points on feet, on hands (rub together and smell), or put a drop on your pillow. Can also put 4-6 drops of Spearmint in a bowl of boiled and cooled water and place on floor beside the bed overnight to keep stomach calm. * Caution – Although Digestive Blend is recommended for morning sickness, it contains some oils which some aromatologists strongly discourage using. It may have a lot to do with the purity of the oil. Use at your own risk. Some have and it has worked for them.
  • Placenta – Basil (has been used to help retain), Jasmine (helps expulsion).
  • Postpartum Depression (Baby Blues) – Bergamot, Clary sage, Fennel, Frankincense, Geranium, Soothing Baby, Grapefruit, Happiness, Jasmine, Lavender, Moodlifting Blend, Myrrh, Nutmeg (use in moderation), Orange, and Patchouli, Courageous, Vetiver.
  • Self Love – Moodlifting Blend.
  • Skin Elasticity – Clarity Blend, Female Blend, Soothing Baby, M-Balance, Migraine Blend. Again, many of these blends contain oils that many aromatologists feel should be avoided or used with caution during pregnancy.
  • Stretch Marks – Soothing Baby (every day on tummy), Rose.
  • Toxemia (extremely high protein in urine) – Circulation Blend.

Above information on pregnancy taken from Reference Guide for Essential Oils compiled by Connie and Alan Higley and from Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essential Science Publishing.

**This information has been designed to provide information to help educate the reader in regard to the subject matter covered. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any condition of the body. Easy-Essential-Oils.com shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained herein. The information presented herein is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified health care professional.