Essential Oil-Blends

Essential Oils in Pregnancy & Birth

An essential oil is the oil of the plant from which they are extracted, or concentrated plant extracts. The oils are commonly used for aromatherapy, with diffusion during pregnancy. For example, peppermint oil that’s used for nausea, or lavender for anxiety. Midwives have found oil blends useful throughout pregnancy and birthing preparation such as; adding several drops to a water birthing tub, perineal sitz & herbal bath, or even using oil infused herbs topically as a soothing poultice.

Using oils for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum have made a difference in care outcomes, especially when put into context, or example. When oils have been blended with a carrier oil, they can be used for perineal massage before labor -to help with stretching at birth. Moreover, even using anti-anxiety or relaxation oils in a defuser during labor can help shape ones experience. Most commonly used oils are multi-use, like lavender, chamomile, and rose frequently selected for having calming, antiseptic and healing properties. Finally, while some oils have been found to be more potent than others, and irritating to your skin, so those need to be used with care.

“When oils are blended with carrier oil they can be used for perineal massage before labor -to help with stretching at birth”

Multi-use Essential Oil Containers:

Dram Bottles

Often we use mini dram bottles, to add oils for single use. It’s helpful to try out an oil before having the expense of purchasing a larger bottle. As you can see in the illustration we added peppermint for nausea, and in pregnancy some experience waves of nausea that comes and goes throughout gestation. So when the mini bottle is opened, and the oil scent is introduced, it is known to curb nausea. In this case the dram bottle can be conveniently stowed and taken from place to place on the go. Therefore it’s not limiting one from only using a home diffuser for oil benefits that are needed.

Pretty much any blend in a small dose can be added to a dram bottle. Only when a pregnancy goes post estimated due date, we offer a blend to be used in a carrier oil for massage. Then if pressure points, or reflexology are used, the blend can be applied to help encourage labor to set in. For some it’s easier to just apply the oil blend mixed with a carrier directly to the body -abdomen area.

Dram bottles are a great investment if your traveling, or even adding them to a diaper bag for diaper care, or a blend used for breastfeeding issues. Some who use oils regularly may already have a favorite place to order empty bottles. Although, if not they can be ordered on line on Amazon as essential oil bottles empty.

Roller Bottles

A roller bottle can be used for a blend of essential oils. While filling roller bottles for application, the essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil. Depending on the blend, final mixture can be topically applied for different situations. Usually applied on the back side of the wrist, ankles, or side of neck and even near the nares. Specific blends could be for ongoing nausea, anxiety, fatigue, clarity, relaxation, aches -discomfort and more.

We find the roller bottle handy to carry. It has just the right amount to get one through each gestational period. Our favorite is a blend for relaxation that can also be used during labor. Lavender is among the blend and one of the most commonly used essential oils, rose oil is nice as well. Removing the roller ball from the bottle offers more oil to use for a larger area, perfect for your massage with a relaxing blend.

Spray Bottles

Your essential oil blend mixed with a carrier oil, or water, in a spray applicator bottle can be useful. During pregnancy it sure doesn’t take much with pungent smells to make one feel nausea. That’s where drops of essential oils in water are helpful to blend as a room spray. This can be used on linen or clothing, or in the bathroom as a room spray.

Additionally, the spray bottle comes in handy with newborns when used for diaper care. Making a daily bum spray you would want to keep it simple and mild. However, blending essential oils that have anti-fungal, healing, anti-inflammatory can be diluted in a mild carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil to help with diaper rash. Customizing a spray can be helpful depending on redness or rash. Further information with a do it yourself diaper spray, visit our post on Baby Bum Spray here on our blog.

Essential Oils to try in Pregnancy

Having a few simple oils ready to add could change up the blend to better suit a situation.

Essential oils to avoid in pregnancy

Research oil applications before attempting any use during pregnancy. It’s always best to check numerous informational sources. In addition, check with your care provider before using any application of an oil. Also, keep in mind that some providers of care may not have experience in application. Reach out to a qualified practitioner.

Helpful is having a list of the oils to avoid on hand. Even more importantly, is if you are unsure about an oil then don’t use it. Having a general book on essential oils for reference is a good idea, or call you care provider. This is a good book to start with called: The Essential Life (Several Editions)

• Cinnamon Bark essential oil
• Clary Sage essential oil
• Jasmine essential oil
• Oregano essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil

Additional use of essential oils

Essential oils are often added to natural soap for itchy pregnancy rash, or stretch mark-belly butter and even combined with reflexology-pressure points to help stimulate labor! We have added premium essentials oils to our milk bath recipe too! For newborns, choice essential oils can be used in natural diaper care by adding drops to your baby wipes. Also, blended in a carrier oil and used for infant massage. Lastly, as a mild daily routine diaper care spray.

These are all tricks of the trade, holistic methods -with a special touch to help mothers during the childbearing year. Also, for those that have an interest in blending oils. The following link provides different size bottles to make your own essential oil blends. Lastly, if you desire a more natural alternative approach in care, contact us for consultation, or registration to start care today!

DISCLAIMER: This post is not meant to treat an illness or disease. If you have concerns consult your doctor before application of any essential oil or blends. If you have skin sensitivities it’s best to skip this natural modality altogether.