Aromatherapy and Pregnancy
Lorna Findlay
Aromatherapy is a natural healing science employing essential oils extractedfrom aromatic plant sources to treat and balance the body, mind and spirit.During pregnancy, aromatherapy can prove to be extremely beneficial andhelpful alternative, while also being very easy to employ and use. In orderto use essential oils safely during pregnancy a few extra safety guidelineswill need be followed. Though, there are reports of side effects, the usermust be cautious enough to report any adverse effects to the physicianimmediately.

Essential oils are extremely concentrated and volatile. They must be dilutedbefore use. A common dilution for aromatherapy blends during pregnancy is 2%, which would equal approximately 10 drops essential oil to 1 ounce or 2Tcarrier oil (this is the most preferred oil). For an aromatherapy pregnancybath, add 6-10 drops of essential oil to the tub and mix well before gettingin to the tub. 3-6 drops essential oil in a bowl of warm water wrung out ina washcloth works well for a compress. Use the same dilution in a bowl ofsteaming hot water for a steam inhalation. An aromatic bath is supposed toprovide relaxation to the taut pelvic muscles and aid in avoiding stretchmarks.

How ever, there are many essential oils that need to be avoided duringpregnancy. The following list contains oils that should be avoided duringpregnancy and oils that are recommended for use during pregnancy.
OILS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCYUse of essential oils should be extremely limited or avoided during thefirst trimester of pregnancy, but has many wonderful uses in the last twotrimesters and especially during labor.

Oils to avoid during pregnancy include:Basil, Cedar Wood, Cinnamon, Clary sage (during labor), Clove, Cypress(after 5 months), Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine (during labor), Juniper,Lemongrass, Myrrh, Parsley and Pennyroyal

OILS RECOMMENDED DURING PREGNANCY
The following oils will be comfortable for using during pregnancy. Asalways, use caution if you have allergies or a family history of allergies.If you feel you may be allergic to oil, do a patch test first. Good oils forpregnancy include:

Bergamot, Chamomile, Cypress (after 5 mos.), Eucalyptus, Frankincense,Geranium (avoid in early pregnancy), Grapefruit, Lavender. Lemon, Mandarin,Neroli, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Rosewood, Sandalwood and TangerineIf you are currently pregnant and have been using any of the essential oilsthat need to be avoided, but are not experiencing any bleeding or cramping,then there most likely is nothing wrong. However, it is strongly encouragedyou to consult your doctor or midwife and discontinue use of the "to beavoided" essential oils.