the lower health and beauty grades, and non-food grades for essential oils and vegetable oils. In the bath add up to 8 drops of essential oil to the tub and mix well before getting in. You can get more information about qualified or registered practitioners from the organisations below: Homeopaths do not have to be registered with a regulatory body. Next review due: 23 May 2021, Alcohol, medicines and drugs during pregnancy, massage and aromatherapy for treating anxiety. Can help in acute situations such as fainting, shock and tremors. Using essential oils during pregnancy is safe as long as you practice extreme caution. Pregnancy is a sacred and delicate time in a woman’s life. With one exception: Jasmine or Clary Sage can be used, following the birth, when. Page last reviewed: 23 May 2018 In latent phase, established labour, second and third stage of labour 4. By breathing in essential oils Mix four drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of base oil, and add the mixture to an oil burner or a vapouriser. May aid the healing of wounds and is recommended for LSCS wound and sore perineum. Distilled lemon (Citrus limon) Distilled lemon can help lift energy and mood, and is great for a post … These essential oils have been determined to be unsafe for use during pregnancy and lactation, via ALL ROUTES (i.e. Essential Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy Oils that can cause contractions are a definite no-no—and that includes cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and clary sage. Organic food grade oils is a much higher standard, most other suppliers use. Women: 1. Who are 37 weeks + gestation 2. Who have given verbal consent in any setting where maternity care is provided 3. Complementary medicines and treatments include a wide range of treatments that are not usually used by most doctors in the UK. Close menu. Following discussion with the on call Consultant it may be possible to administer essential oils for an antenatal mother less than 37 weeks 8. May help reduce migraine and asthma as it helps to relax arterial and bronchial spasm. Can help to create a calming environment by releasing tension, deepens breathing and eases hyperventilation. According to Tisserand and Balacs, the following essential oils should not be used during pregnancy: wormwood, rue, oak moss, Lavandula stoechas, camphor, parsley seed, sage, and hyssop. Generally speaking these oils are considered ok to use in pregnancy with your midwife's consent: Peppermint (to relieve nausea) Ginger (to relieve nausea) Essential oils promote health and balance in the body. A profoundly relaxing oil that may reduce anxiety, stress, panic attacks and depression. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-galactagogue, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, peripheral vasodilator, stimulant. All essential oils cross the placenta to your baby. The aroma is a ‘top’ note, delicately sweet and citrus. During pregnancy it is important to use lower % dilutions in the region of 1 to 2% - equal approximately 10 drops essential oil to 2 tablespoons of vegetable/base oil for body oils. Helps with decongestion. Pre-term labourers if allowed to labour 5. Based on recommendations from essential oil experts, some essential oils (such as lavender, peppermint and chamomile oils) can be used during pregnancy, as long as the proper safety precautions are taken. The natural compounds of the plant are extracted by distilling or cold pressing the plant. Essential oils are subtle, aromatic volatile liquids distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, barks, leaves, and seeds. If you're considering using a complementary therapy, it’s important to tell your GP or midwife about what treatment you’re considering. Methods of application include via: baths, compress, vaporisation, showers, inhalation and massage. Some oils are deemed safe to use at certain times during pregnancy and birth, however certain oils must never be used. Peppermint is a great topical and aromatic oil for pregnant women but should not be taken internally. Hide this message, You are here: Home > Our services > A-Z of services > Women's Health > Labour Ward > Aromatherapy During Pregnancy. Why All the Fuss Regarding Essential Oils and Pregnancy? If you are looking to explore essential oils whilst pregnant, some of the recommended ways include using them as part of a relaxing bath, on a compress, or on bedding to help promote sleep and relaxation. Menu That's because lavender can be used to regulate periods. The combined stimulant, sedative and hypnotic actions make it uplifting on the mind, joyful and harmonious. Additional essential oils that have therapeutic benefits and are safe for pregnancy (after the first trimester) include: bitter almond argan patchouli pomegranate ginger cardamom fennel cypress myrtle essential frankincense The latest health information about Coronavirus can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus. This site uses cookies. Essential oils are growing in popularity both in the mainstream wellness and pregnancy and childbirth communities. Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from fresh flowering tops and stalks. There is a whole new, precious being (or beings) growing within your body. May reduce muscular aches and pains, is helpful with stress and insomnia and may reduce headache and/or migraine. There are many uses for lavender oil, and pregnancy can be a great time to try using this essential oil. In general, you should avoid taking any unnecessary medicines or treatments when you’re pregnant. Essential oils are widely available and women may purchase and apply them with no training or education regarding risks and benefits. Oils can be used for a variety of ailments. Essential oils are the pure essence of flowers, tree, and plants and are quite powerful. It is therefore important you receive safe advice from a person trained in the use of aromatherapy in pregnancy. It is especially useful in the aiding relaxation which may in turn help promote physiological birth. Oils to Avoid During Pregnancy If you're using a massage therapist, ask your therapiest if she's experienced at treating pregnant women. Aids digestion. Oils that are not safe for you to use Don't use the following essential oils while you are pregnant: basil; laurel; angelica Translate into: Arabic Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Italian Latvian Lithuanian Polish Punjabi Spanish Turkish Urdu View all languages >, Providing care together in York, Scarborough, Bridlington, Malton, Whitby, Selby and Easingwold communities, © 2021 York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Accessibility | Site map | Cookies policy, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is registered, and therefore licensed to provide services, by the Care Quality Commission (Provider ID: 1-114394658). If you then decide to use a complementary therapy, you should always consult a qualified practitioner. Some essential oils are great to use during pregnancy, whereas others have not been cleared for use while expecting, as some can even induce contractions.According to Hopkins Medicine, essential oils are highly concentrated oil extracts of a plant. Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from the flowering tops, leaves and stalks. While we often associate essential oils with scent Can help to relieve tension. Clary Sage Salvia sclarea - a stout biennial/perennial herb with large hairy leaves, green/purple, with small blue flowers belonging to the botanical family of Lamiaceae. This is the use of the essential oils for pregnancies that have gone past their expected due date. Leaflets can be translated into different languages or provided in an audio format within 48 hours. Women can use lavender essential oil while pregnant and due to its versatility, lavender is often considered the best oil to use during pregnancy. Essential oils for better sleep during pregnancy: Good sleep and rest are paramount during pregnancy. Women who have been assessed and have contraind… Distilled to make a light yellow liquid and a clear terpene-like penetrating top note and a warm sweet balsamic undertone. Using Aromatherapy in labour - Resource Pack May 2018. The combination of using essential oils with an aromatherapy massage or foot bath for women who have gone past their expected due date, They is evidence that suggests that aromatherapy encourages the onset of spontaneous labour and aids relaxation. There are very few high-quality studies into the effectiveness of complementary or "alternative" treatments, and anything you take into your body can affect your unborn baby. For those wondering is lavender oil safe in pregnancy, the answer is yes. Find out more here. This relaxation enables the reduction of adrenaline and a consequent increase in oxytocin which promotes natural physiological labour. For example, your abdomen should not be massaged during the first three months of pregnancy. Highly versatile oil. Using the birthing pool/bath 7. Due to the lack of clear information regarding the toxicity of essential oils during pregnancy, it would be best to adhere to general safety guidelines. Lavender Lavendula angustifolia - an evergreen woody shrub from the botanical family Lamiaceae. Some NHS trusts even offer aromatherapy during labour to help reduce anxiety and tension whilst promoting muscle relaxation. Mandarin Cirtus reticulate – The rind of the fruit is cold expressed and is yellowish in colour. Wintergreen essential oil is high in methyl salicylate (the naturally occurring version of aspirin) and should be avoided during pregnancy and birth because of its blood thinning properties. May help to relieve anxiety, depression, nervous tension and mood swings. I … Anti-spasmodic, anti-depressant, anti-septic, calming, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory. When using essential oils during pregnancy, it is important to keep the following things in mind: Only use essential oils under the supervision of your physician. May aid maternal coping capacity for labour/contractions by relaxing the mother. Making our organic oils the purist, highest quality, most potent therapeutic and food grade organic oils, you can buy. Condition Essential oils Frequent urination Sweet marjoram, cypress, neroli Abdominal discomfort Juniper, benzoin, lavender Heartburn Sandalwood, R chamomile, petitgrain Haemorrhoids Cypress, sandalwood, peppermint, S orange Morning sickness Petitgrain, sweet orange, mandarin Stretch marks Lavender, frankincense, rose, chamomile R Varicose veins Cypress, sandalwood, sweet orange Water … •Common oils used are • Peppermint • Black pepper • Clary sage • Frankincense • Grapefruit • Lavender • Sweet orange Relaxing, balancing, calming, analgesic, cheering, anti-viral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, bactericidal. 15 In the context of fertility and pregnancy, essential oils can help balance hormones, heal old wounds (emotional and physical), and ease stress. diffusion, topical, ingestion) because they're chemical makeup contains specific chemical constituents that should be avoided during pregnancy. There is a lot of confusion over the safety of lavender essential oil in pregnancy. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Interest in using complementary therapies such as Aromatherapy is growing. However, "complementary" is a better description, as they should be used alongside, but never replace, the treatment offered by your doctor. Few complementary or alternative medicines are known to be safe during pregnancy. Essential oils are natural oils that are obtained by distillation and have a characteristic fragrance of a plant or other source from which they came. Effective for nausea, vomiting and headache. • To relieve nausea: Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, ginger. Galper makes the following recommendations for her patients, but again, check with your health provider before trying them on yourself. L Wallbank (V3.0 March 2018) Page 18 of 25. Peppermint Mentha piperita - The essential oil is steam distilled from the dried perennial herb. The carrier oil that we use for blending our essential oils for massage is grape seed oil. o A maximum of 3 different essential oils should be used in any one blend. In this book, you will find essential oil recommendations for common conditions regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. For more information, visit www.cqc.org.uk. Choose your essential oils carefully — and never use one if you don’t know what it is. According to the National Health Service (NHS), use of aromatherapy during pregnancy (through essential oils) has been proven to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation and empowerment, and aid in the process of childbirth. Information and updates about our services can be found on this website here, Who have given verbal consent in any setting where maternity care is provided, In latent phase, established labour, second and third stage of labour, Undergoing induction/augmentation of labour, Following discussion with the on call Consultant it may be possible to administer essential oils for an antenatal mother less than 37 weeks, Women who have been assessed and have contraindications excluded, Women with allergies to essential oils or citrus fruits, With threatened pre-term labour. Finding out more To find out more about using aromath erapy during childbirth, please contact Laura Wallbank (Midwife/aromatherapist) at laura.wallbank@nhs.net or Yvonne Bishop (Midwife A pale yellow liquid with penetrating grassy, minty and camphoracous odour. Complementary and alternative medicine can't replace conventional antenatal care. To find out more take a look at our leaflet on aromatherapy. For example, your abdomen should not be massaged during the first three months of pregnancy. quality oils. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic, uterine, vulnerary. Some oils are safe to use aromatically but not topically (like Lemongrass). But there is some evidence to support the use of: There are still times during pregnancy when they may not be safe. Smart ways to use essential oils for pregnancy. Frankincense Boswellia carterii – A North African tree which is cut to produce frankincense tears. Though this is not a comprehensive list, essential oils that appear to be safe to use during pregnancy include Benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii), Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), Geranium (Pelargonium xasperum), German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), Juniper (Juniperus communis), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Lemon (… Undergoing induction/augmentation of labour 6. If you have never used essential oils and are pregnant, please consult with your health-care provider prior to use. acupressure and ginger for morning sickness There are still times during pregnancy when they may not be safe. Antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, stimulant, sedative, carminative, mild diuretic. Other oils, like oregano, nutmeg and clove bud oils, should be avoided throughout pregnancy. While many pharmaceutical drugs cannot be taken during pregnancy or by infants, many essential oils are highly effective … Aromatherapy is a way of accessing and applying the therapeutic benefits of plants by using oils called ‘essential oils’ which are extracted from plants, usually by distillation. And some herbal remedies, such as blue cohosh, can actually be harmful for the baby. epilepsy, kidney or liver dysfunction, cardiac disease, clotting disorders (including PE/DVT), unstable diabetes and cancer. May relieve muscular aches and pains as anti-spasmodic. Women with open wounds or contraindicating skin conditions, Women in the first trimester of pregnancy are not to have direct contact with essential oils. May use lavender if in established labour. Blends like doTERRA Balance ®, doTERRA Breathe ®, doTERRA Serenity ®, are full of calming and soothing essential oils and can be used aromatically create a relaxing environment. Essential oils pregnant and nursing mamas should AVOID. In fact, certain essential oils have proven to be immensely helpful in easing discomfort for expectant and nursing mothers. Essential oils are blended with a carrier oil and used by the therapist to give you a massage – often a hand or foot massage. These treatments are sometimes described as alternative medicine. Aromatherapy in maternity care can lead to reduced use of opioid analgesia less need for augmentation as well as increased satisfaction in the care received. Essential oils are very small molecules, which are permeable when applied on the skin, and can easily enter into the bloodstream. It’s important to attend regular antenatal check-ups throughout your pregnancy. Any medical condition i.e. Plants are used in a more concentrated way via Aromatherapy than in traditional herbal medicine. They are becoming more common to use during pregnancy, labor and postpartum … Rest assured that this does not mean using it in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage. The exciting news is that the NHS throughout the UK is also educating their midwives, and staff involved in caring for pregnant women on using Essential oils during pregnancy and even during labour to help ease the discomfort of labour. The Best Essential Oils for Pregnancy With good essential oils and expert guidance, you may find that aromatherapy can make you feel a lot better. Boswellia carterii – a North African tree which is cut to produce frankincense tears stimulant sedative! Relieve nausea: lavender, chamomile, peppermint, ginger way via aromatherapy than in traditional herbal medicine to nausea. With no training or education regarding risks and benefits are the pure essence of flowers,,. Showers, inhalation and massage labour - Resource Pack may 2018 for an antenatal mother less than 37 weeks.... Information about Coronavirus can be a great time to try using this essential oil is steam distilled from dried... 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