If you are pregnant and you wish to use essential oils to relieve some of the symptoms of discomfort that may accompany pregnancy, talk with your obstetrician before doing so. Your doctor will have the most recent information of what may be helpful, harmful, or simply ineffective in helping you during this time.
Doctors agree that women in the first trimester of pregnancy should avoid the use of essential oils, to be sure that the fetus is not exposed to any substance that may turn out to be toxic. Some essential oils can cause uterine contractions during the first trimester, and some may have an adverse effect on the baby during this critical developmental period. While there is very little research on the effects of essential oils on developing fetuses, it is common sense to follow this advice from the obstetrics community.
In the second or third trimester, however, some essential oils may be useful in diffusions to calm anxiety and assist with relaxation and sleep, some may be helpful when added to a carrier oil for massage, and others may be preferable to harsh chemicals for housecleaning. Obstetricians generally warn against taking any essential oil internally, as this may have a toxic effect on the fetus and even cause a miscarriage.
Some studies indicate that lavender essential oil may actually help reduce the pain of labor and delivery when diffused in the delivery room. Mirzalinajmabadi et al. (2018) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the studies to date, published in the Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Cancer Research. The researchers concluded that “aromatherapy with lavender reduced labor pain the active phase.” The studies examined used lavender essential oil in a diffuser, a practice that can certainly be employed with ease in the delivery room. Massage with lavender oil diluted in a carrier oil also may have the desired effect.
Some other essential oils may help calm anxiety, improve relaxation, relieve nausea, and reduce the pain of headaches during pregnancy. Rose essential oil can be effective in promoting sleep as well as calming frayed nerves. Roman chamomile essential oil has been found to relieve migraine pain, according to a 2014 study; Roman chamomile and geranium oils help reduce anxiety, including during labor.
Oils considered safe during pregnancy include the following:
- Argan
- Bergamot
- Cardamom
- Cypress
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Grapefruit
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Mandarin
- Myrtle
- Neroli
- Patchouli
- Pomegranate
- Roman chamomile
- Rose
- Rose otto
- Rosewood
- Sandalwood
- Sweet orange
- Tea tree
- Ylang-ylang
The list of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy includes the following:
- Aniseed
- Arnica
- Basil
- Birch
- Bitter almond
- Boldo leaf
- Broom
- Buchu
- Calamus
- Camphor
- Cassia
- Cedarwood (thuja)
- Chervil
- Cinnamon
- Clary sage
- Clove
- Coriander
- Costus
- Deertongue
- Elecampane
- Horseradish
- Hyssop
- Jaborandi leaf
- Juniper berry
- Melilotus
- Mugwort
- Mustard
- Nutmeg
- Oak mass
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Pennyroyal
- Pine
- Rosemary
- Rue
- Sage
- Sassafras
- Savin
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thuja
- Thyme red
- Tonka
- Wintergreen
- Wormwood
Peppermint often lands on the list of forbidden essential oils during pregnancy, but recent studies suggest that when used strictly for aromatherapy, peppermint essential oil can reduce the nausea that many pregnant women experience. A diffusion of lemon essential oil can also have this effect when used regularly.
