As part of our commitment to supporting women’s health, we wanted to look at using essential oils for pregnancy. Aromatherapy can be a powerful support for maintaining a healthy mood balance, but advice around them can be scary and unclear. So today, we’re going to look at which oils we can and can’t use and why that would be. Then look at reliable ways to use essential oils in pregnancy to support mood.
A 2020 study published by BioMed Central explained that the risk of women of childbearing age is high and that antenatal depression is one of the most common mood disorders (Dadi, 2020). The leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths are suicide, homicide, and drug overdose. (Campbell, 2021) Intimate partner violence is often instrumental in this. Nearly 60% of survivors using domestic abuse services are mothers, and 1 in 15 of those are pregnant, according to a report by Women's Aid. (WomensAid, 2019)
Why are Essential Oils for Pregnancy Mood Important?
Although it is associated with various poor outcomes for both mother and baby, maternity care still does not focus on mental issues in care plans, particularly in lower-income countries.
The study identified that the prevalence of antenatal depression ranged from 15 to 65% globally.
- Prominent risk factors were found to be the current or historical experiences of a variety of forms of abuse or violence.
- Lack of social or partner support.
- A history of common mental disorders either for them or in the family.
Tragically,
- The risk of low birth weight and preterm birth was 1.40 times higher among babies whose mothers were depressed.
They concluded that despite the association between antenatal depression and adverse birth outcomes being fairly modest, the overall effect would be significant in countries with lower incomes, where a higher prevalence of antenatal depression would be found. This would then be compounded by inadequate access to quality mental health services. (Dadi, 2020)
Ok, that being said…
Also Read: Essential Oils For Fertility
What are the Essential Oils in Pregnancy to Avoid?
I’ve lifted this straight from my book The Complete Guide to Clinical Aromatherapy and The Essential Oils for The Physical Body, which is available for free download on Amazon if you would like it.
All essential oils should be avoided during the first 16 weeks. Throughout the rest of the pregnancy AVOID Angelica, Black Pepper, Clove, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Ginger, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Oregano, Peppermint, Roman Chamomile, Basil, Cassia, Cinnamon bark, Clary Sage, Lemongrass, Rose, Rosemary, Thyme, Wintergreen, White Fir.
I also did a short video about this and some possible substitutions and ways you could get around using, for example, clary sage for restless legs.
How to Use Essential Oils for Pregnancy
It is generally recommended that you avoid using essential oils in any way before 16 weeks of pregnancy. Research shows that even inhalation affects our hormones to the degree that it could be problematic if we weren’t careful.
For me, though, the threats to a mother who is very depressed outweigh the predicted science we have around using essential oils for pregnancy.
To that end, we would certainly want to avoid essential oils that have a uterine action or a strong effect on the hormones - even inhalation. These are the essential oils we want in the delivery suite at the end of pregnancy.
Oils to avoid in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy, even for inhalation, are Rose, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Myrrh, and Fennel.
So, during that precious early 16 weeks, if we inhale essential oils, we want to keep it to very light citrus oils and a couple of gentle herbs. This works well for us because the citruses are the ones that have the best effects on mood anyway.
For this kind of work, it’s useful to think of the essential oils with a keyword. One quick anchor gets you to the heart of how it makes you feel. It won’t be quite the same for everyone because the smell is such an individual thing, but it is a start.
I’d be happy for you to be inhaling any of these oils right the way through the pregnancy and using them topically from 16 weeks.
Since my skin-burning exploits with lemon in the bath are now becoming the stuff of legend, I’ll also denote the ways I would suggest using each.
Also Read: Essential Oils for Breastfeeding
What are the Best Essential Oils for Pregnancy?
1. Bergamot
Key Identification: Sunshine
Such an uplifting oil. It is bright, refreshing, and exciting.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
Be careful about using it topically during the day because it is phototoxic and may irritate your skin in strong sunlight.
Don’t use it in the bath. It has high levels of monoterpenes that degrade quickly and can lead to skin sensitization, so don’t use old oils. Replace after six months.
2. Yuzu
Key Identification: Fizz
Yuzu is like bergamot, but even more so. It is a popular fruit in Japan that smells like a cross between a grapefruit and a mandarin. It is delightful.
Traditional Japanese medicine suggests bathing with whole yuzu fruits when you feel down. I love it!
I find it a very calming and soothing oil if I am stressed.
Like bergamot, this one is expressed from the peel and so, again, will be phototoxic in sunlight.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
Don’t use it in the bath. Remember that this oil has high levels of monoterpenes that degrade quickly and can lead to skin sensitization, so do not use old oils. (Replace after 6 months. )
3. Lemon
Key Identification: Brightness
Lemon is one of the few oils we have evidence of where we can see its physiological action. Constituents in lemon oil interact with the serotonin receptor, which has many functions, including modulating mood.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
Don’t use it in the bath. Remember that this oil has high levels of monoterpenes that degrade quickly and can lead to skin sensitization, so do not use old oils. (Replace after 6 months).
4. Orange
Key Identification: Positivity
I find sweet orange to be such a useful oil. Many clinical studies done in dentistry show how effective it is for calming nerves. It feels happy, upbeat, and optimistic.
Another nice quality of sweet orange essential oil is it tends to make you feel happier about yourself and more attractive somehow. If you are feeling a bit like a beached whale, I’d recommend a few minutes sitting with sweet orange oil, and of course, it would work just as well if you sniffed an orange!
I do use orange oil in the bath, but only a drop or two, and make sure you dilute it well in a carrier. My latest favorite is to mix a bath oil of warm milk, honey, and orange oil.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
Remember that this oil has high levels of monoterpenes that degrade quickly and can lead to skin sensitization, so do not use old oils. (Replace after 6 months).
5. Geranium
Key Identification: Relief
Remember how it has most of the emotional healing of rose essential oil but no actions on the uterus? This is helpful in maternity matters because it is probably the best essential oil for stress.
You can leverage all of those lovely uplifting and soothing qualities it has without worrying about starting contractions.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
6. Neroli
Key Identification: Optimism
I think this may be the best oil for pregnancy if you can afford it. It is light, positive, and so soothing for anxiety. If you can’t afford the essential oil, try spritzing yourself with orange blossom water. I found that amazing when I was pregnant, and it was so refreshingly cool when I used it in the delivery suite also.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
7. Roman Chamomile
Key Identification: Surrender
You know what I’m going to say now…“Que sera sera. Whatever will be, will be…”
Such an important oil for calming generally. Also, think about how good the best anti-inflammatory oil there is would be for aches and pains and swollen ankles!
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
8. Vetiver
Key Identification: Tranquility
Peace, perfect peace, when you are tired, stressed, or anxious. It’s like a heavy blanket being pulled over you to keep you calm.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
9. Frankincense
Key Identification: Comforting
Frankincense slows the breath and makes you feel as if G-d is nearby. If you are afraid, then frankincense helps.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
10. Helichrysum
Key Identification: Strength
In my book about helichrysum, I say this is for the wound that will not heal. It is a specifically recommended oil for PTSD and trauma on any emotional, mental, or physical level.
Use: Diffuser, aroma pendant, bath, massage oils, roller balls, creams, and lotions, or for meditation.
More Help With Essential Oils for Pregnancy
I mentioned in the previous video Susan Mousley, a former president of the International Federation of Aromatherapists and a lifelong midwife. She has been instrumental in creating several aromatherapy innovations in UK hospitals.
She and I recorded an interview back in 2018 about her work, particularly around how essential oils can support antenatal mood. She talks about the challenges of being a pregnant woman in the workplace and how this can be supported.
It was a lecture designed for qualified aromatherapists to help them understand some of the issues that pregnancy can present in their patients.
I cocked up the editing at the beginning, so bear with it; it comes right after about a minute and a half.
Conclusion
Using essential oils for pregnancy can be so helpful for supporting mood. Keeping level and calm is not only good for the baby and you. Why not try spending some calming time with your oils? All that said, if you do feel as if you may not be safe or that your emotional balance may be suffering, please speak to a health professional. Do not suffer alone, and please make safety your priority.
Also Read: Best Essential Oils for Labor
