Essential Oils: Pregnancy + Postpartum

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM

I have used essential oils during my last two pregnancies, home births, postpartum, and with my newborn babies. They offer so much support to our bodies and can replace so many chemical-filled products that can be harmful to us and our growing babies.

Before I get into my favorite oils and blends, let’s talk about nutrition.

The most important thing you can do during pregnancy to keep your body healthy, strong and thriving is to provide it with the highest quality, most nutrient dense foods available. Easier said than done. First of all, we may not always have access to organic produce that’s free of pesticides and toxins. Secondly, our soil is becoming so depleted that even when we’re able to eat lots of fruits and veggies they still are not providing us with all the nutrition necessary for our bodies to be at peak performance. And lastly, let’s be honest ladies, sometimes just the thought of a big salad full of vegetables makes us nauseous! Am I right???

Since it’s difficult to eat all the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that our bodies require, supplements are key. The BEST, most bioavailable (meaning our bodies are actually absorbing all the nutrients, unlike most supplements that end up as a waste product), whole foods supplements I’ve ever tried are the 3 that make up doTERRA’s Lifelong Vitality Pack. It includes a wholefoods multivitamin, omegas 3,6, and 9, and a cellular complex that has polyphenols, antioxidants, and adaptogens. I HIGHLY recommend these to EVERYONE, but especially to mamas-to-be.

Along with the Lifelong Vitality Pack, there are two other supplements that personally made a huge difference in my health before, during and after having babies, and those are PB Assist Probiotic, and Terrazyme Digestive Enzymes. The probiotic will help maintain a healthy gut flora, which is incredibly important in keeping your immune system strong. The digestive enzymes will aid in digestion, and keep things regular. This was my personal pregnancy MVP (most valuable pill).

Want to learn more about these supplements or create a custom supplement routine?? CLICK HERE

ESSENTIAL OILS + PREGNANCY

The most important thing to remember when using essential oils is that NOT ALL OILS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Most “essential oils” on the market aren’t essential oils at all. They’re fragrance labeled as an essential oil. This can be really dangerous. “Fragrance” can mean hundreds of chemicals. Take a look at all your bath + body products right now. Do any of them say the word “fragrance” in the ingredients?? If so, just know that means potentially hundreds of chemicals are entering your bloodstream daily.

Now when it comes to essential oils, you need to make sure that what you have is certified, 100% pure, therapeutic grade. This quality of essential oils I’ve only seen in one company, doTERRA, which is why I chose it almost 5 years ago. They are the largest, most tested, most trusted, company on the planet. I love that all the research is done for me, and every single oil’s test results are made public on sourcetoyou.com And because the quality is far superior to anything else on the market, I can always count on outstanding results.

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

There are 3 ways these specific oils can be used. Aromatically, topically, and internally.

AROMATICALLY – You can use the oils aromatically by placing 6-10 drops in a standard diffuser with water. This suspends the aromatic compounds into the air providing everything from emotional support, energy, more restful sleep, and also to cleanse the air. Another way to use the oils aromatically is to simply place a drop in the palm of your hand, rub hands together and cup over nose, then inhale…. So good!

TOPICALLY – High quality oils can be used topically on the skin. This can provide emotional support, hormonal support, enhance sleep, and also soothe the body. I typically recommend diluting the essential oils with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, rosehip oil or jojoba oil.

INTERNALLY – If your bottle of essential oils has “Supplement Facts” on it, just like your food has, that indicated they are safe to take internally. Using essential oils internally can be cleansing, invigorating, and support a healthy inflammatory response.

PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS + MY TOP ESSENTIAL OIL RECOMMENDATIONS

FATIGUE – This hits us HARD in the 1st trimester but creeps up on us all throughout pregnancy. I love citrus and mint oils for their uplifting and energizing properties. Lemon, Tangerine, Wild Orange, Green Mandarin, and Grapefruit are great in water throughout the day. Peppermint and Spearmint are invigorating. Blend a couple drops of your favorite citrus + mint oils together in a diffuser for the perfect pick-me-up! I also have to mention another one of my daily supplements- Mito2Max. This supplement is for energy, stamina, and boosts mitochondrial function without the use of stimulants meaning it’s a safe and effective way to boost your energy levels during pregnancy! (I also could not thrive without this postpartum either!)

HEAD DISCOMFORT – The number one thing you can do is to STAY HYDRATED. Adding citrus oils to your water can make it more fun and little easier. Frankincense supports a healthy inflammatory response. Blend it in a rollerbottle with Peppermint, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and roll on temples and across forehead, or put a drop on your thumb and press into the roof of your mouth for relief. You can also do the same thing with Peppermint. Lavender and Roman Chamomile are calming + soothing. I also love PastTense Tension Blend, a premade roller blend that relieves tension.

NAUSEA –  I personally found the most relief from Cardamom essential oil. It actually blocks the receptor pathways of nausea. I put a drop behind my ears, and a drop in my water along with Fennel essential oil, to sip on. The aroma of citrus oils also reduced my nausea, along with Ginger,  Lavender, and Sandalwood. New to doTERRA are Ginger drops too! These are perfect for a queasy stomach.

IRREGULAR BOWEL MOVEMENTS – Terrazyme Digestive Enzymes, HANDS DOWN. This helped me the most. As for the oils, DigestZen, Wild Orange and Lemon. I would drink a drop in my water or add them to a veggie capsule.

CONGESTION – One of those symptoms that can sometimes hit and linger the entire pregnancy. Breathe Respiratory Blend is phenomenal for helping to open the airways. I diffused this with Lavender at night, applied topically to my chest, and once in a while I’d crack open the bottle and take a few deep inhales for clear breathing. Other great oils include Cardamom, Peppermint, and Siberian Fir.

LOW BACK DISCOMFORT – Deep Blue Soothing Blend and Deep Blue Rub. I layered these for the most cooling/warming soothing effect. Such relief in the 3rd trimester. They also helped immensely with hip discomfort. AromaTouch Massage Blend, Lemongrass, and Marjoram are great for discomfort too. I would combine them together in a rollerbottle so it’s ready to go when needed. During labor I preferred more of a warming effect which is why I chose Black Pepper. Black Pepper essential oil + a little coconut oil helps take the edge off.

SWELLING– HYDRATION + CIRCULATION – Drink lots of water with some citrus oils, and support the circulatory system with AromaTouch Massage Blend and Cypress essential oil. Dilute these with coconut oil and massage into your swollen body parts for relief.

STOMACH + DIGESTIVE UPSET – DigestTabs are chewables containing DigestZen and calcium carbonate which soothe and neutralize acid. These were my BFF during the 3rd trimester!

SLEEP SUPPORT – It’s totally normal to have trouble sleeping during pregnancy. You’d think with all the fatigue you’re experiencing throughout the day, sleep would come easy? Alas, it does not. Oils like Serenity Restful Blend, Lavender, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Frankincense, Bergamot and Breathe Respiratory Blend are my favorites to diffuse. I add a 6-10 drops into my diffuser 30 minutes before bed. You can also make a pillow spray, or a rollerbottle to roll on the bottoms of your feet. No matter what way you’re using them, essential oils contain powerful constituents and that help our bodies relax and rest easy.

BUM DISCOMFORT – I created a spray with Cypress, Helichrysum, and Lavender to ease the discomfort. It truly made a difference for me during pregnancy, and even more so postpartum.

STRETCH MARKS – Rose Touch, Immortelle Anti-aging Blend, or Frankincense, along with doTERRA’s Body Butter– doesn’t get any better! I used this combo twice a day with amazing results.

LABOR + POSTPARTUM

These are the exact recipes, oils and blends I used during my last 2 labors, deliveries, and postpartum:

LOW BACK- Black Pepper + Deep Blue

LOW ENERGY- Peppermint + Wild Orange

ANXIOUS FEELINGS- Balance + Copaiba

BREASTFEEDING (milk boosters) – Clary Sage, Basil, Fennel

CRACKED NIPPLES- Myrrh + Helichrysum

PERI-SPRAY- Immortelle + Witch Hazel + Water

HORMONAL SUPPORT- Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Bergamot, Copaiba + ClaryCalm Blend

Again, these are all of my personal favorites. This is what worked for me in my pregnant and postpartum body. I encourage you to discover what works best in yours! doTERRA also offers a ton of plant-based products from haircare, to skincare, to household items, that can replace a lot of the harmful, chemical-filled products in your home. Pregnancy is a great time to take inventory and start making some easy, natural swaps!

We all want to feel our best while providing the most safe and loving environment for our babies. I hope that some of these natural solutions offer you the support they offered me! To learn more about essential oils or to get started with your very own CLICK HERE.

Not sure where to start?? I recommend the Healthy Start Kit This will cover 80% of your needs and gives you 25% off future purchases for 1 year.

Peace + Love,
Kelly