Aromatherapy for Pregnancy

If you want to use aromatherapy in pregnancy, you need to take extra precautions to only use essential oils that are safe for both you and the baby.

I'm going to give you some information from the book Aromatherapy and Massage for Mother and Baby by Allison England, an aromatherapist and nurse who runs an aromatherapy clinic for mothers and babies in England.


Nathalie P./PhotoXpress Rather than looking at essential oils to avoid (about which there isn't consensus), let's look at how Allison says you can use aromatherapy in pregnancy. For any use, she recommends a one percent (1%) dilution:

• To 3.5 ounces (100 ml) of carrier oil, add 25 drops essential oil.
• To 1/3 ounce (10 ml or 2 teaspoons) carrier oil, add 2 drops essential oil.

Bergamot: Mix with water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.

Roman Chamomile: Use for relaxation with massage, skin care, baths, or diffusion.

Cypress: Use after the fifth month for problems associated with sluggish circulation, such as fluid retention, cramps, and varicose veins.

Eucalyptus globulus: Use to help clear mucous and congestion.

Lavender: Use for relaxation or to help relieve headaches with massage, skin care, baths, or vaporization.

Other essential oils you can use during pregnancy: lemon, mandarin, neroli, petitgrain, sandalwood, tea tree, and ylang-ylang. See Allison's book for specific recipes for specific discomforts of pregnancy.

Prevent Stretch Marks

To help prevent stretch marks, massage this blend daily onto your hips, stomach, thighs, and breasts throughout pregnancy and afterward until you return to your normal weight:
   4 tablespoons (80 ml) almond oil
   1 tablespoon (20 ml) avocado oil
   7 drops lavender essential oil
   5 drops of either neroli or mandarin or tangerine essential oil

Essential Oils for Labor

According to Allison, essential oils safe to use during labor include:

• Rose: Make a massage oil using rose and lavender to gently massage the mother.
• Neroli helps with breathing: Place 1 or 2 drops on a tissue to inhale, make a room spray, or use in a diffuser.
• Lavender is calming. In addition to using in a massage oil with rose, you can diffuse lavender in the room.

• Gernanium helps balance emotions. Use in a room spray or diffuser.
• Ylang ylang helps relieve fear and depression. Use in a room spray or diffuser.

She also offer specific recommendations for the different stages of labor. As a guide to aromatherapy in pregnancy, I highly recommend Allison's book. Of course, consult a professional healthcare provider if you have any complications or medical conditions.