20 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy, Childbirth & EOs
 

I'm often asked how essential oils can be used during pregnancy.  This is my opinion, but I believe pure essentials oils can be very beneficial during pregnancy and childbirth.  This is a personal choice however. If you're open to using pure EOs, here's a list of some ideas and tips for use during this special time.   

Pregnancy

1.  Swelling and water retention- Lemon:  Drink water with a few drops of Lemon in it on a daily basis.  Keeps things moving in your system and acts as a gentle detox.

2.  Heartburn & morning sickness- DIY DigestZen and/or Peppermint: a drop under the tongue, rubbed on abdomen or rubbed on the bottoms of your feet.  Add 2 drops of Peppermint to a shot glass of almond milk for instant relief of heartburn!



3.  Restful Sleep- Zen or Lavender: Apply to the bottom of feet, even better if a special someone rubs it in for you :)  Dab just a little under your nose too or diffuse!

4.  Lower Back & Leg Pain & Pressure- 1 drop Amend, followed by 1 drop DIY AromaTouch - A nightly massage is extra wonderful!


5.  Pregnancy Edema- Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Cypress: put 2-3 drops each in a 5 ml roller bottle, top off with a carrier oil and roll on ankles and feet a few times a day especially at the end of the day, massage toward heart.

6.  To avoid stretch marks:  Combine 4 drops each Helichrysum, Lavender, Frankincense in an ounce of organic coconut oil, store in a small jar. Apply morning and night after the first trimester. 

Birth

 7.  To induce or speed labor- Clary Sage - considered a uterine tonic. Place a drop on ankle reflex points and diffuse along with Myrrh during labor.

8.  Balance and Focus for Mom- Zen Blend - Apply topically, over heart and back of neck.  Diffuse with Lavender.

9.  Energy- Peppermint and Wild Orange - inhale or diffuse.

10.  Back Labor - Amend - Apply topically...especially with a posterior baby.

11.  To avoid or minimize tearing - Helichrysum - perineal massage 2 weeks before labor and delivery.

Post-Partum

12.  After birth bleeding - Clary Sage, White Fir, Helichrysum for toning.  Apply blend on ankle reflex points or bottom of feet.

13.  Pain and inflammation - Add 10 drops Lavender and 10 drops Frankincense to a bowl of alcohol free Witch Hazel.  Soak feminine pads in this solution then freeze for soothing, healing, and inflammation during postpartum recovery.

14.  Postpartum Contractions - 2 drops Lavender, 2 drops Frankincense with carrier oil to calm and help with discomfort.  Apply directly on lower abdomen.  

15.  Hemorrhoids - Cypress, Geranium, Clary Sage, Helichrysum: 2 drops each in a 1 ounce glass spray bottle, top with Fractionated Coconut Oil or alcohol free Witch Hazel and spray directly on hemorrhoids.  Apply each time you use the restroom.

16.  Nipple Soreness - Add 4 drops each Frankincense and Lavender to 1 ounce of solid organic coconut oil, store in glass jar for breastfeeding soreness to speed healing and elasticity.

17.  Yeast infection - 4 drops each Lavender and Melaleuca - add to 1 ounce of solid, organic coconut oil, store in small glass jar. Apply topically as needed.

For Baby

18.  Umbilical Cord- Myrrh: serves as a liquid band-aid, (helps to avoid infection, cord should fall off sooner,  4 days vs. 7-9 days).

19. Ease Birth Trauma- 5 drops Zen in a 5ml roller bottle, top bottle off with a carrier oil. Roll on bottoms of baby’s feet.

20.  For Grounding-  Frankincense - apply one drop of Frankincense to top of baby's head after birth for calming and grounding.

As always, enjoy 10% off any Spark Naturals order!

coupon code:  campwander

A good resource for pure EO use during pregnancy is this book written by Stephanie Fritz:  Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby