Essential oils for pregnancy, childbirth and the fourth trimester.

Essential oils can be a great addition to your birth toolkit. A doula can help you utilize these 13 essential oils during pregnancy, labour and the fourth trimester. It’s recommended to spend some time getting to know your preferences before labour – how do they make you feel? If an oil makes you feel queasy now, you can be sure that you won’t want it surrounding you during labour. Plan your birth space to be calm, supportive of your inner strength and a welcoming healing space for you and your new babe. (avoid clary sage and jasmine during pregnancy as they can promote labour)

Clary sage (Smell directly from the bottle, tissue, scent stick or cloth etc. Easy to remove if the effect is too strong. Diffuse. Add to bath. Dilute to 1 or 2% in a massage blend.)

- Eases muscular aches and pains

- Can reduce anxiety and fear and therefore help oxytocin production

- Can also help with postnatal depression

For use in labour and after baby is born – not suitable during early stages of pregnancy as it can promote labour or after caesarean)

Cypress (Mix with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, then apply it to your skin. Add a few drops of the diluted mixture to your bath water. Use it in a diffuser.)

- Reduces fluid retention and improves circulation – can ease carpel tunnel syndrome and hemorrhoids, soothe swollen ankles and relieve varicose veins

- Can help with wound healing

Safe for use from five months. Not suitable for people with high blood pressure.

Eucalyptus (Use in a diffuser or in a room spray)

- A cooling refreshing oil

- Revitalising – for tired muscles and mental exhaustion

- Facilitates easy breathing

- Soothes nervous tension

- Antiseptic, can warn off colds

Not suitable for the birthing pool or bath as it is cooling.

Frankincense (Use in a diffuser or in a massage blend)

- Helps to regulate and slow breathing, opening up the chest

- Can help ground and centre

- Creates a peaceful healing space

Use in labour and once baby is born

Geranium (Use in a diffuser)

- Uplifting

- Stimulates milk flow

For use after baby is born

Jasmine Mix with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, then apply it to your skin. Add a few drops of the diluted mixture to your bath water. Use it in a diffuser or add to a massage blend.)

- Uplifting anti-depressant

- Calms, soothes and uplifts

- Soothes painful contractions

- Helps get slow labours going

Lavender (Use in a diffuser or in a massage blend, add diluted to bath)

- Uplifting

- Emotionally calming / relaxing

- Can ease muscle aches when massaged into the skin

Lemon (Use in a diffuser, room spray or in a massage blend)

- Refreshing and emotionally uplifting

- A room spray containing lemon is a good idea to cleanse and revitalise during a long labour

- Antiseptic

- Enhances the effect of other essential oils

Mandarin (Use in diffuser or in a massage blend)

- Uplifting

- Sedating: good for restlessness, insomnia, agitation and nervous tension

- Reduces muscle spasm

- Enhances the effect of other essential oils

Neroli (Mix with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, then apply it to your skin. Add a few drops of the diluted mixture to your bath water. Use it in a diffuser.)

- Use to relieve fear, panic and apprehension

- Restores spirits

- Calm the nervous system

Peppermint (Smell directly from the bottle, tissue, scent stick or cloth etc. Easy to remove if the effect is too strong.)

- Cooling and refreshing

- Antiviral

- Helps relieve nausea and vomiting

- Clears the feeling of being unable to focus

Not suitable for the birthing pool or the bath as it is cooling

Roman chamomile (Use in diffuser, in a massage blend or dilute for the bath)

- Calming and soothing

- Restorative and healing to any tears or bruising after birth

- Can be used to comfort and relax the mind

- Essential oil of choice if you suffer from allergies (asthma, eczema, hay fever)

Rose (Smell directly from the bottle, tissue, scent stick or cloth etc. Easy to remove if the effect is too strong, Use in a massage blend applied to acupressure points)

- Anti-depressant

- Calming and relaxing

- Antispasmodic

- Uterotonic

- Use to sooth, relax, centre and promote regular contractions

For use in labour and after baby is born. Not suitable after a caesarean.

Always consult a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils during pregnancy and with babies and children. Never take essential oils orally and avoid all contact with the mouth area and eyes.