Essential Oils for Pregnancy Birth and Babies

Recently I decided to continue my self study on the use of essential oils. This is something that I started almost thirty years ago, but have not had so  much time for in recent years. I have always really enjoyed aromatherapy, and, as I have mentioned before, have a very keen interest in studying natural medicine. Although I am happy to accept that there are some things since hasn't found an explanation for, at the end of the day, I am a scientist, and evidence reassures me. In the future I plan to write some posts about the use of the essential oils and any research that may have been carried out on their properties which can validate claims. Meanwhile, I thought to get us started, that many of you might be interested in my notes from a webinar I attended recently on the use of doTERRA Essential Oils for pregnancy birth and babies. 

The session was hosted by Heidi and Allen Lafferty who provided the above information and I felt it was very much worth sharing. Please remember that this does not replace the advice from your doctor. 

General oils for taking care of mum in Pregnancy and motherhood 

Citrus

Elevation

Peppermint

Citrus oils lift mood - also great for cranky kids

Wild Orange lifts mood and calms any anxiety a child may have as well helping them focus

Lemon is for stamina

Elevation - helps for depression and low mood

Peppermint - inhale to energise, esp if haven’t had enough sleep

Nausea

Ginger

Pepperpint

Digestzen

Rub on bottoms of feet

Peppermint use with caution if breastfeeding as can decrease breastmilk - however if needed you can use it and can use fennel to increase BM production

All oils can be used topically, Internally, Aromatically

Some need to be diluted with carrier oil - recommends fractionated coconut oil

can also use olive oil, almond oil, grapeseed, sunflower - but must be pure organic etc

1 drop essential  1/4 tsp oil when using on babies

Blood Pressure - Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Ylang Ylang

Geranium

Lemon Grass

Lavender

Can use all topically

Lemon grass should not be taken internally unless in capsule

Sleep

Lavender

Serenity blend

Roman Camomile

Vetiver

Stretch Marks

Immortelle

Frankincense

Swelling

Elevation blend

Lemon / grapefruit

Aroma touch blend

Cypress

Lavender

Ginger

lemon can be taken in water as a regular drink

lemon, lavender and ginger can be ingested - not the others

Delivery

Contractions -

Preterm labour - lavender

Hemoraging - Helichrysm

Post Pregnancy

Breast soreness  - lavender

Ceasraean Scars - Immortel, lavender, frankincense

Increase milk production - Fennel

Mastitis - Melaleuca

Perineum support - helichrysum, lavender

Tone uterus

Baby

baby eczema -frankinsense and melaleuca

Lavender - Image from hypnofacials.com

You can find out more about joining doTERRA here and feel free to connect me if you require further information

Recommended book - Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth & Babies  by Stephanie Fritz (NB this book was recommended by the presenters not me. I personally am not sure about this author yet. Although she says that you can email her with any questions, so far she has failed to respond to all of my questions about the research evidence behind her recommendations and there are not many references to research in the book :(  )