Aromatherapy During Pregnancy

There are ways to enjoy aromatherapy while you are in pregnancy, after delivery and for your newborn baby.

Aromatherapy can help you:

• Manage the stress you’re undergo while pregnancy
• Help you to relax and have positive thinking. These qualities will greatly help especially in child-bearing or child care. A pregnant woman who is relaxed is more likely to manage labor and subsequently bond with her child after birth.
• Ease tiredness, fatigue, pain and other ailments that result from pregnancy
• Aromatherapy should be an effective support for what is learned at prenatal classes. Those who use aromatherapy will get more benefit from the relaxation techniques.
• Essential oils for cellulite will help the pregnant women prevent the stretch marks by keeping the skin well nourished.
• The use of essential oils will also aid the pregnant mother to be in constant contact with their bodies that is beneficial to themselves and the baby inside of them.
• Touch from a qualified therapist or your own partner has therapeutic effects. A pregnant mother or those past child birth will most likely be able to bond with her infant if during pregnancy she experienced the same pampering.
• Through aromatherapy, the condition of the mother is improved and mother feels more calm when massaged. The massage’s effect relieves stress and other negative feelings.
• Although aromatherapy can’t deal with everyday problems that will occur but massage will help them manage negative emotions or any pessimistic thoughts to attain a better state of mind and well being.

Safety about aromatherapy pregnancy

Aromatherapy can help pregnant women keep their skin and body well nourished and potentially avoid taking drugs.

There was a French study conducted involving 1000 women who were pregnant. It was noted from the study that 99% of these women were prescribed with one drug at the least during the period. 59% of these are drugs that pose a risk to the fetus with benefits considered acceptable. And 79% of these are taken medications that has not been tested for safe usage either on humans or animal thus no information on effects.

The lack of information on essential oils’ applicability and safety on pregnant women and lactation is not a surprising fact having seen this data.

It is however known that the essential oil application crosses the blood-brain barrier so it is accepted that it crosses the placenta as well.

With this, essential oils with known high toxicity are avoided and there are guidelines that need to be followed in the use of essential oils during pregnancy.

On a traditional methods, a low dose topical applications will have the risk negligible.

Any formulation that is intended for any condition related to pregnancy like stretch marks, the dosage is reduced to half and only the most safe essential oils are used.

The dosage of essential oils in formula for application is reduced to half not just for safety reasons but to also adjust the intensity of the scent due of hyperosmia in pregnant women.

Aromatherapy pregnancy treatment must not be administered during the first trimester of pregnancy. Only highly-knowledgeable and qualified therapists who understand the contraindication of essential oils to pregnancy can perform any treatments to pregnant women past their first trimester.

It is also important that any applications be sought for from the person’s midwife or doctor.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Pregnancy

Pregnancy should be a joyful time, for this special time where you are preparing the body and mind to receive the baby. The gentle and simple act of touch can bring comfort, support and a wonderful sense of nurturing as well as relieve both the physical and emotional symptoms which are common to pregnancy.

Minimizing the physical discomfort through the use of aromatherapy will help you focus on what really matters during this important time – you and your child.

Aromatherapy pregnancy treatment can help to relieve anxiety and worry, improve connection with the baby, or just provide an opportunity for some valuable pampering.

Below is a list of oils that have a reputation as being generally safe to use during pregnancy. You should always consult with your medical professional before using any of them.

The safest and most recommended course of action that you can take if you’d like to implement aromatherapy into your pregnancy is to seek out the in-person guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner in your area. All women are different in health and can have different requirements during pregnancy. A qualified practitioner should conduct a case history on you, evaluate exactly where along you are in your pregnancy, recommend blends suitable for you and discuss suitable dosages and methods of administration.

Some oils such as rose, jasmine or clary sage can be beneficial during the actual delivery despite their contraindications during the pregnancy. Your qualified aromatherapist can create a personal blend for you for use during the labor and delivery of your baby based on your aromatic preferences and personal health history.

Leg Cramp Oil

This oil is soothing and relaxing on tired muscles. It is not only effective for leg cramps, but also for varicose veins, varicosities, and sore backs.

Put the following ingredients into a container and shake well before using:

• 2 ounces St. John’s Wort oil
• 5 drops neroli essential oil
• 5 drops grapefruit essential oil

Belly Balm or Stretch Mark Prevention Oil

This oil is smooth and moisturizing and can help alleviate the itching that so often happens when skin starts stretching.

In a double boiler, melt the carrier oils listed below. Carrier oils are nut or seed oils such as almond oil, shea butter, coconut butter, or olive oil. They are pressed and not distilled.

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa butter
• 1/8 cut apricot, almond, or grapeseed oil
• 1/8 cup kukui nut oil, shea butter, or mango butter (my favorite)

When the oils have melted completely, remove the mixture from the heat. Allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes, then add these essential oils:

• 10-20 drops sandalwood
• 15 drops patchouli
• 15 drops sweet orange essential oil.

Essential oils are distilled from leaves, seeds, roots, and flowers and are very concentrated and fragrant. Transfer the blend to a container and allow it to cool completely before using.

Additional options can be used such as rosewood, rose, lavender, tangerine, and neroli. If you blend your own mixture, be sure to keep the amount of essential oils used at less than 50 drops total.

Massage the balm over thighs, breasts, stomach, and anywhere that needs nourishing and moisturizing.

Nausea Spray

Add the following to four ounces distilled water and use in a spray bottle:

• 20 drops spearmint essential oil
• 15 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops sweet orange essential oil.

Shake the mixture well and mist the air with it when a woman feels nauseous. You may find that different women prefer other types of scents, so you can also try ginger, neroli, and rosewood. When making an alternative blend, keep the amount of essential oils used at less than 60 drops.

Sources:

http://www.aromatherapy-at-home.com/aromatherapy-blog.html

http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromatherapyduringpregnancy.asp

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0619.asp