Can I use essential oils during pregnancy?

Yes, you can! doTERRA essential oils, when used properly, are natural and a really safe option for women during pregnancy. During pregnancy, essential oils—ones that are safely sourced, that are CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade™, as doTERRA's are—become a really effective, supportive option for women while pregnant to take care of themselves

A lot of women begin using essential oils during pregnancy because it is a time when women are looking for natural solutions and replacing what they used in the home and in or on their bodies for a more natural solution. So it's a time when a woman is often seeking health and harmony safely, and essential oils become a really beautiful option

Are there any essential oils that I should be avoiding while I'm pregnant?

There are a few oils that you would avoid using entirely and then some that you would just dial down the usage. So the ones that we don't want to be using during pregnancy, it's quite simple. It's Clary Sage, and we want to really dial back on the Jasmine and the Myrrh. And interestingly, those three oils are going to be the oils that a woman is going to want to be using during birth and very early postpartum. So you'll get to use them, but they're just not recommended during pregnancy.

We recommend light use of the hot oils. So Clove, Cinnamon, Cassia, just not using a lot of them. And also always remind the pregnant mommas not to use any citrus oils topically because of photosensitivity during pregnancy and also, just in regular life. So those are really the key oils and usage guidelines during pregnancy.

Are there certain application methods that are best while pregnant?

Aromatic Use

Using a diffuser or just breathing out of your palms. Or if you're a mom with other kids running around, maybe just grabbing the bottle and opening it and inhaling.

Topical Use

Begin with aromatic. So use a diffuser, get acquainted with the essential oils, use them in the palm of your hand, breathe them in, and enjoy the aromatic benefits. Then once you're more comfortable and you begin to use the oils topically, you can begin to use the oils topically for additional support.

Lots of dilution during pregnancy. Meaning adding some more carrier oil to the oil application. So if you were going to use one drop of Lavender, you might use one pump of doTERRA’s Fractionated Coconut Oil.

So for topical application, it's quite lovely when you're pregnant. Foot massages; belly massage; head/neck, temples, and low back applications. It can be a very nurturing and beneficial to the mom.

Essential Oils in the Bath

Oils during pregnancy combines both aromatic and topical and is taking a hot bath. It is the nicest thing to do when you're carrying around a little person inside of you to get off your feet and take a nice hot bath.

For a hot bath is to take anywhere from one to three cups of a natural Epsom salts —so no fragrance or anything added. Then you can add in Lavender and Frankincense. So one to two drops of Lavender, one to two drops of Frankincense into the Epsom salts, give them a little mix, and then you can dump them into your bath.

You can take the AromaTouch massage blend that doTERRA has put together and use it the same way in the Epsom salts and into the bath and soak and relax. Listen to a beautiful, relaxing song or read a book. It's a really nice time to restore the body for a pregnant momma.

Are there any questions that I should be asking my doctor about using essential oils while pregnant?

Definitely ask your doctor or your medical team before you start using oils, either before pregnancy or during pregnancy. It's great to check in with them on your overall health plan and essential those would be a part of that.