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Are essential oils safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, only some oils are safe to use.

Some oils should be completely avoided, such as:

• Basil;
• Cassia;
• Cinnamon;
• Clary Sage;
• Rosemary;
• Thyme;
• Etc.

In this post I’ll show you everything you need to know about pregnancy and breastfeeding and essential oils:

• What oils are safe to use;
• What oils to avoid;
• How to use the oils that are safe.

I will also answer some of the most common concerns and questions you might have regarding the safety of essential oils.

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IMPORTANT

The content of this blog post is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

I am not a doctor and I’m only sharing my personal experience here.

If you are unwell or sick, always ask your trusted doctor or medical practitioner for advice. Pay particular attention if you are allergic or intolerant to any food and/or medication, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Children and elderly people should also seek medical attention quickly if unwell or experiencing any symptom.

Even if you don’t experience any symptom, always contact your trusted health provider if in doubt. If you feel unwell and are worried, it is safer to ask for medical advice from a professional than to wait.

Never risk it!

CAN YOU USE ESSENTIAL OILS WHEN PREGNANT?

There are conflicting opinions about using essential oils on pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. In fact, some people do not recommend using oils if you are pregnant or nursing, while others believe it to be completely safe, as long as you stay away from certain oils.

The truth is that, because of the delicate nature of pregnancy and breast-feeding, there isn’t in my opinion enough research done on the subject. 

That is why you should always ask a health care provider or a certified aromatherapist before using any oil.

It is always better to be safe than sorry!

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING?

Having said that, I know of a lot of women that used essential oils throughout their pregnancies and beyond, without any issue.

The most important thing is obviously to know which oils are considered safe and which ones are best avoided.

In this post I’m going to list the essential oils that are NOT safe for use during pregnancy and breast feeding.

Does it matter what brand of essential oils you use?

If you are wondering if essential oils are safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding, then the answer to that question is most certainly yes!

Not all essential oils are created equal, and you should research what company sells high quality, pure and unadulterated oils.

Stay away from cheap oils, as they most likely contain synthetic fillers that can have serious health risks for you and your baby.

Regardless of what brand you decide to buy, look for 100% pure and natural oils instead.

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DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS

In my home we only use Doterra oils as they are CPTG (certified, pure, of tested grade) essential oils.

This gives me peace of mind when using oils on myself or on my children, as I know there are no hidden ingredients contained in the bottles I purchase.

If you are new to essential oils, and don’t know where to start, you could read this post.

Here I explain what are the “15 things to know before using essential oils.”

Alternatively, I also have a post on “Essential oils for beginners”.

THE Benefits of essential oils while pregnant

According to healthline.com, there are indeed many health benefits that can be gained by using essential oils while pregnant.

Unfortunately, pregnancy and breastfeeding are very often accompanied by common ailments, and a few drops of essential oils can provide an effective relief from some of them.

IN PARTICULAR, THE SAFE USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS DURING PREGNANCY CAN:

• Reduce nausea;
• Soothe and support your stomach in case of indigestion;
• Help minimise stretch marks;
• Promote skin elasticity;
• Soothe lower back pain;
• Reduce leg pain;
• Promote a good night’s sleep;
• Reduce anxiety associated with labor and pregnancy in general;
• Etc.

ESSENTIAL OILS dURIG LABOR:

• Reduce anxiety;
• Help managing pain;
• Create a general sense of calm in the environment;
• Etc.

ESSENTIAL OILS POST BIRTH:

• Promote a healthy bond between new moms and their baby;
• Help with breastfeeding;
• Reduce discomfort cause by haemorrhoids;
• Help with symptoms of “baby blues”;
• Promote a general sense of wellbeing and improve your mood;
• Etc.

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ESSENTIAL OILS AND PREGNANCY SAFETY

Generally speaking, if you stay within the following safety guidelines, you can use essential oils during pregnancy.

However, it is always a good idea to seek medical advice before using them for the first time!

important

Only use 100% unadulterated and pure essential oils, from a reputable company. 

Never use essential oils topically unless properly diluted, and only use them after a patch test.

Pay particular attention if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or on older people and young children.

Some people might develop skin irritations or adverse reactions.

Never ingest essential oils without reading the label first, as not all oils can be consumed internally.

Always talk to your trusted medical practitioner before using essential oils, especially if you suffer from any allergy, intolerance, are ill or are already taking any medication.

can you use essential oils during first trimester?

The first trimester of pregnancy is the most delicate of them all. 

This is the time when the embryo is forming. Therefore you should avoid using any kind of product that could possibly interfere with your baby’s normal and healthy development.

Do not risk exposing yourself and your unborn baby to unnecessary toxins.

However, during the remaining trimesters, you can start using pure essential oils safely.

CAN YOU INGEST ESSENTIAL OILS WHILE PREGNANT?

There is a lot of debate about the safety of internal use of essential oils, whether you are pregnant or not.

Whatever your beliefs on the subject, you should not ingest essential oils while pregnant. 

There isn’t enough research done on whether or not essential oils can potentially cause toxicity when used internally.

The safer option for you and your baby, is not to ingest them. 

Thankfully, there are different ways to use essential oils during pregnancy, such as topical application, and use in a diffuser.

Is it safe to diffuse essential oils when pregnant?

Luckily for you, it is safe to diffuse essential oils around pregnant women (as long as you stick to the list of safe essential oils).

The aromatic use of essential oils can indeed have so many benefits. In particular, it can promote a sense of calm and relaxation, and improve mood.

However, if you decide to use your oils aromatically, there are a few points you should consider.

Pregnant women normally have a heightened sense of smell. Therefore, you should use only couple of drops of essential oils in your diffuser. 

In addition to that, some of the stronger oils might affect a pregnant woman, so it is best to avoid those (even the ones that are considered safe anyway).  

Can I use essential oils on my skin while pregnant?

Aromatherapy massage is indeed a great way to use essential oils while pregnant.

However, remember to only use oils that are considered safe during pregnancy!

Topical use of oils can have many health and mental benefits for you.

Many of the common ailments that are typical in pregnancy, such as back pain, leg swelling, stretch marks, and itchy skin, can be alleviated by the use of essential oils.

However, essential oils do present a risk of skin irritationS. 

This risk is more prevalent in pregnant women, as their skin is more sensitive.

As a result, you should never use undiluted oils on your skin if you are expecting.

It is recommended you dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (such as almond oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or fractionated coconut oil), before applying them on your skin.

IF YOU NEED HELP TO DECIDE WHAT CARRIER OIL IS BEST FOR YOU, YOU CAN READ THIS POST.

Here I go through the main ones, and I list all their properties and benefits.

PLUS, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FREE PRINTABLE!

How much should you dilute essential oils?

Furthermore, if you are pregnant, you should use oils only after a heavier dilution rate than you would normally use.

As I mentioned before, essential oils do present a risk of skin irritation when used by people with a very sensitive skin, such as the elderly, young children and pregnant women. 

The reason behind this, is that essential oils are very concentrated and can irritate your skin.

Always do a patch test before using oils all over your body. 

Apply a small amount of a heavily diluted essential oil on an area of your body such as under your feet. If in the following 24 hours there are no adverse reactions, you are good to go.

If, on the other hand, you develop an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.

According to this article, 

if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you must dilute your essential oils to a 1% ratio.

In other words, add 1 drop of essential oil per 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.

Also, if you want to add oils to a warm bath, do not use more than 4 drops.

WHERE DO YOU APPLY ESSENTIAL OILS WHEN PREGNANT? 

When applying oils topically, the safest place is under your feet.

In fact, the skin under your feet is quite thick, and not as delicate as the rest of your body. Furthermore, there are no mucous membranes around the feet area, so you are very unlikely to cause an unwanted reaction.

Despite all that, it is still very effective to massage oils under the soles of your feet, and this type of topical application is the one that I always recommend for children as well.

I should add that, if you are suffering from a headache or from back pain, it is safe to massage (heavily diluted) essential oils directly on your forehead or temples, or on your back.

CAN YOU USE BEAUTY AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN UNSAFE ESSENTIAL OILS WHILE PREGNANT?

You might come across some personal care products that contain one or more of the essential oils that are considered unsafe during pregnancy.

Do not worry about those, as the concentration of oils in those products is very low and won’t have any harmful effect on you or your baby.

Anyway, if you are worried, it is best to ask your doctor about it. There is no point in being stressed about something, when your GP can easily reassure you.

CAN YOU USE DIY PRODUCTS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS FOR PERSONAL CARE?

If you like to make DIY products using essential oils, please do follow the recommended dilution ratio of 1%.

You can make up a 250ml of homemade shower gel or shampoo using only natural ingredients, but do not add more than the recommended max amount of essential oils.

CAN YOU COOK USING HERBS AND SPICES WHILE PREGNANT?

Unlike essential oils, herbs and spices do not have a high concentration of their main compounds. Therefore, they are safe to use.

For example, if you are expecting, you should avoid the use of rosemary essential oil, but you can use the plant of rosemary to flavour your food.

Indeed, it takes a lot of plant materials (such as leafs, petals or roots) to extract a few drops of essential oils. That’s what makes them very powerful.

WHAT ESSENTIAL OILS CANNOT BE USED DURING PREGNANCY?

I’m going to share with you the list of essential oils that are not safe to use during pregnancy.

This means that you should not apply or diffuse or ingest any of the following essential oils while pregnant, regardless of what stage you are in.

ESSENTIAL OILS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

Here’s a list of all of Doterra single oils you should avoid if pregnant.

Bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive, as other essential oils companies might sell different oils.

Before using any type of product, always clear it with your trusted doctor first!

• Basil;
• Birch;
• Cassia;
• Cinnamon;
• Clary Sage;
• Lemon Myrtle;
• Rosemary;
• Star Anise;
• Thyme;
• Turmeric;
• Wintergreen;
• Yarrow.

ESSENTIAL OILS BLENDS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

You should avoid any of the following Doterra blends, as they contain at least one of the single oils mentioned above.

• Active Botanical Duo, Doterra Yarrow Pom;
• Calming blend, Doterra Adaptiv;
• Cellular complex, Doterra DDR Prime;
• Centering blend, Doterra Align;
• Detoxification blend, Doterra Zendocrine;
• Digestive blend, Doterra Zengest / Digestzen;
• Encouraging blend, Doterra Motivate; 
• Holiday Joyful blend, Doterra Holiday Joy;
• Inspiring blend, Doterra Passion;
• Joyful blend, Doterra Elevation;
• Massage blend, Doterra Aromatouch;
• Metabolic blend, Doterra Smart and Sassy;
• Protective blend, Doterra On Guard;
• Renewing blend, Doterra Forgive;
• Soothing blend, Doterra Deep Blue;
• Steadying blend, Doterra Anchor;
• Tension blend, Doterra Past Tense;
• Uplifting blend, Doterra Cheer;
• Women’s monthly blend, Doterra Clary Calm;
• Women’s perfume blend, Doterra Whisper.

ESSENTIAL OILS TO USE WITH CAUTION DURING PREGNANCY

The following oils can be used during pregnancy, but only with caution.

In other words, do not use them on a regular basis, but only sporadicly.

Furthermore, consult with your doctor before using any of the following essential oils. Particular attention should be paid to Neroli essential oil.

Bear in mind that this list is not exhaustive, as other essential oils companies might sell different oils.

Before using any type of product, always clear it with your trusted doctor first!

• Arborvitae;
• Cedarwood;
• Clove;
• Cypress;
• Fennel;
• Litsea;
• Manuka;
• Marjoram;
• Myrrh;
• Neroli;
• Peppermint;
• Petigrain;
• Rose;
• Siberian Fir;
• Spearmint;
• Spikenard;
• Vetiver.

ESSENTIAL OILS BLENDS TO USE WITH CAUTION DURING PREGNANCY

You should use any of the following Doterra blends with caution, as they contain at least one of the single oils mentioned above.

• Anti-aging blend, Doterra Immortelle (or Salubelle);
• Cleansing blend, Doterra Purify;
• Comforting blend, Doterra Console;
• Enlightening blend, Doterra Arise;
• Fortifying blend, Doterra Amavi;
• Holiday Peaceful blend, Doterra Holiday Peace;
• Hopeful blend, Doterra Hope;
• Outdoor blend, Doterra Terrashield;
• Reassuring blend, Doterra Peace;
• Respiratory blend, Doterra Air / Breathe;
• Restful blend, Doterra Serenity; 
• Skin clearing blend, Doterra HD Clear.

Is It Safe to Use Essential Oils While Breastfeeding?

Never use essential oils on a newborn! 

Do not apply the oils on a baby’s skin, and do not let a baby ingest any oil. Never!

If you want to diffuse essential oils in the room where your newborn will be, only use 2 drops max in the diffuser, and leave a window or door open, as babies can get overwhelmed very easily.

ESSENTIAL OILS TO AVOID DURING BREASTFEEDING

When it comes to breastfeeding, it is best to avoid the same oils and blends as when you were pregnant.

Same advice would apply for those oils and blends to use with caution.

In addition to that, it is best to avoid the use of Eucalyptus oil all together when around young children. 

Moreover, Peppermint oil can reduce your milk production, so it is best avoided during breastfeeding.

If in doubt, ask your lactation consultant for advice and help.

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING? CONclusions

Pregnancy is certainly an exciting time for any woman. However, it does come with the worry of having to avoid the use of some foods or products.

When it comes to essential oils, you will need to pay particular attention, but there is no need to avoid them altogether, as long as you follow the guidelines for essential oils safety here explained.

I hope you found this article helpful, and if you are already pregnant: congratulations!

Please do leave a comment below and let me know if you are using oils in your pregnancy and what is your personal experience. I’d love to hear from you!

IMPORTANT

When using Essential Oils, make sure to use only CPTG Certified, Pure, Tested Grade ones, like Doterra Essential Oils. The content of this blog post and any information provided here has not been evaluated by any government entity or medical practitioner. It is NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, illness or condition. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical counselling. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from any medical condition or illness or injury, you SHOULD consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any product.