Health and Ayurveda

Monday, May 21, 2007

Aromatherapy in pregnancy

Pregnancy brings about a lot of physical and hormonal changes in a woman’s body. These may manifest into moderate to severe discomforts like morning sickness, edema due to water retention, stretch marks, heaviness in the body, etc. pregnancy is a wonderful experience but this happiness can be marred by these discomforts. Also the excess weight and stretch marks, which remain behind after delivery, may spoil a woman’s beauty.
Aromatherapy offers simple yet effective remedies for all these problems. However pregnancy is also a very delicate stage hence these oils are best used under guidance of an aroma therapist. Following precautions need to be taken:
  • Certain oils like basil, cinnamon, dary sage, fennel, juniper, comfrey, myrrh, Melissa, thyme, hyssop, etc are contraindicated in pregnancy while others like marjoram and rosemary are to be avoided during the first three months or the 1st trimester.
  • Use essential oils in lower concentrations
  • If you suffer from skin or other allergies, use oils very carefully. A patch test is indicated before use
  • During a massage keep the strokes lighter than usual
  • The moments of the pregnant clients like lying down for massage, turning or getting up have to be very gentle
  • If you are on homeopathy medicine, consult your homeopath before using essential oils, as it is believed that the strong, of the oils negate the effect of the homeopathic medicines

Aromatherapy in first trimester
(First three months)


The commonly encountered symptom in first three months is nausea or morning sickness. Rest is very important during this period. This is also the most delicate phase since the foetus is not stable yet and improper lifestyles or wrong drugs may lead to miscarriage. Hence one has to be extra careful during this period.
Morning sickness: to combat nausea inhalation of mandarin oil or orange oil by means of port pourri or vapourizers is useful. One may also put a couple of drops on ones pillow to prevent morning sickness. Alternatively add a couple of drops of lavender, sandalwood and orange and massage gently on the abdomen. Reduce oily, spicy foodstuffs in diet. Have frequent smaller meals in a day rather than having large and meets at longer intervals. Go easy on fast food. Eat plenty of fresh fruits (barring papaya and mango) and take herbal teas made from chamomile or orange blossom.

The second trimester
(The date from four to six months of pregnancy)


Frequent urination, heartburn and varicose veins may appear during this period. The following remedies can be implemented:
Varicose veins: varicose veins and spider veins may develop during second trimester due to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Use crepe bandages to support the calf muscles. Indulge in gentle and moderate exercise and avoid very hot water baths. Make a blend of two drops each of cypress, lemon grass and lavender in 30ml of apricot kernel base oil. Massage gently but firmly from ankle upwards towards thighs. Avoid working directly on the swollen veins. Alternatively you may use a blend of the three drops of geranium in 20ml of base oil. However more caution needs to be observed where then using geranium during pregnancy.
Constipation: increased the fiber intake in diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and salads. Avoided pulses like Bengal gram, kidney beans etc as these causes flatulence. However one can consume green gram. Keep your body well hydrated. A helpful aromatherapy blend is 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of rose in 15ml of base oil. Massage gently in clockwise circular motion on the belly. Alternatively one may use a blend of chamomile and orange.
Fluid retention/ edema: reduce the salt intake in diet. The edema or swelling is generally present on the ankles and legs. Hence while sleeping, raise the head slightly with the help of pillows. For ankle edema give a foot bath by adding 7-8 drops of lavender, 3 drops cypress, 3 drops of orange and 2 drops of patchouli to a bucket full of warm water. Ensure that you use plastic bucket and water is only lukewarm. Alternatively add 3 drops each of benzoin, rose and orange to ¼ bucket of warm water and use this for foot massage.

The third trimester
During this period abdominal girth increases substantially which exerts pressure on all the organs especially the lower back. Hence along with the problems encountered in the 2nd trimester one may also experience problems like lower back pain and difficult in lying down or sleeping.
Lower backache: massaging lower back is very relaxing. One may use a blend made from sandalwood and lavender by adding 4 drops of each to 15 ml of base oil. Mild fomentation can also be given.
Sleep problem: lying down in different positions becomes difficult due to increased size of abdomen. Try lying down on the left side keeping the left leg straight and bending the right leg at the knee.
Support the right knee by placing it on the cushion. Have a relaxing bath with neroli. Lavender and vetiver oils just before going to bed. You may also add a couple of drops of lavender oil to your pillow.
Stretch marks: these may not be seen during pregnancy as the skin is tensed. However they appear soon after delivery if measures are not taken during pregnancy itself. Although these marks do not cause any problem it is better to prevent them for cosmetic purpose. These stretch marks are likely to appear on lower abdomen, thighs, breast and buttocks. So in order to minimize the scarring and retaining the elasticity and suppleness of the skin, start aroma massage from the fifth month itself and continue even after the delivery till you lose the extra weight that you gained during pregnancy. For massaging make a blend of five drops of lavender and 5 drops of frankincense in 30ml of olive oil. You may add the contents of capsule vitamin E to the blend. Adding evening primrose oil to the blend also helps to smooth the skin.
Sore nipples/ breast: the breast size also increases during pregnancy due to increased levels of prolactin hormone. This causes them to be engorged and tensed. Nursing the baby also causes cracked nipples which are very painful. The following blend can be used during pregnancy and even when you are nursing the baby. However before breast feeding ensure that the nipples are washes thoroughly and wiped dry. Care must be taken to prevent the essential oils from entering the newborns stomach. use a gentle massage oil with 3 drops each of rose and orange in 15ml of sweet almond or olive oil. During labour, if possible use aroma candles or vapourizers in the labour room.

Post partum care:
Inadequate lactation, post partum depression may be encountered after delivery.
Inadequate lactation: this rarely occurs and is often psychological that physiological in nature. Hence it is important for the mother to relax and help her baby to suck more frequently on the nipple. Increase your intake of milk, sugar, rice and asparagus. Do not get anxious whether baby is getting enough feed or not. So long as the baby passes urine, for about 10-12 times in 24 hours, sleeps well, and sucks energetically you may also use cold compress on the breast using 2 drops each of lavender, geranium and peppermint oil. This helps facilitate lactation.
Post partum depression: this may occur within a week after delivery. Usually it is mild in nature but some woman may suffer from severe depression, which may last up to a year. A massage with 5 drops each of chamomile, geranium and orange in 30mlof almond oil is relaxing. You may also have a bath by adding 7-10 drops of jasmine and ylang ylang to warm water. Inhalation of 3 drops of neroli and 3 drops of bergamot also helps. To relieve the pain in the perineal region, which may occur due to tear and suffering, take a sitz bath of lavender and tea rose.

Massage during pregnancy
The precautions to be taken while giving massage to a pregnant lady have been mentioned. Let us look at the steps:
Back massage: after about 4th month of pregnancy it becomes difficult for a woman to lie down on her stomach. Hence work with your partner in sitting position.

  • After your partner is comfortable, place your left hand over the partner’s forehead and your right hand palm across the back on her neck. Hold for a few moments and then release.
  • Apply little oil on your fingers and gently massage each of your partner’s shoulder blades and upper back. Employ kneading movements using your thumb.
  • Spread the oil on the entire back evenly and begin an effleurage movement
  • Stroke gently down the spine from the base of the neck to the lower back. Repeat this movement 20 times
  • Stroke across the back starting from the lower back from the right hand side. Stroke out from the inside of the body towards the loins with alternate hands, moving upwards gently towards the shoulders.
  • Using thumbs work upwards on each side of the spinal column from the lower back to the neck to help relieve congestion along the spinal nerves.
    Repeat this 4 times

Abdomen: For a pregnant woman lying on her back may exert extra pressure on the blood vessels due to the weight of the foetus. This may result in constriction of important blood vessels. Hence support the head, neck, and back with cushions, pillows mattress etc. ensure that she is comfortable. It is of utmost importance to keep the strokes gentle and light. Do not exert undue pressure under any circumstances.

  • Apply the blend as per your choice and needs, evenly over the abdomen.
  • Using the palms of your hands, carefully glide the hands from either side of the waist towards the navel. Lift your hands off as they reach the navel. Continue this and work over the whole abdomen.
  • Gently circle around the abdomen with the flat of your hand in clockwise direction. Do not apply any pressure. Repeat this for about 5-6 times.

Legs: legs also get easily tired during pregnancy due to extra weight that they carry.

  • Support your partners legs by placing a cushion or bolster beneath her knees.
  • Begin by dabbing the oil and gently stroking the leg with effleurage from the ankle to the knee.
  • The smoothen out the muscles by working from the shin bone towards calf.
  • Upward motion helps to relieve varicose veins and ankle edema

Finish the massage by massaging the scalp and neck with light circular movements.

Choice of blends: add ten drops each of any two of the following essential oil to 100 ml of base oil (sweet almond, extra virgin olive oil, apricot kernel oil are desirable as base oils). Choose any of the pairs given below depending on the person’s physical and mental set up.
Chamomile and lavender
Lavender and sandalwood
Neroli and frankincense
Ylang ylang and sandalwood
If you encounter complications in pregnancy like pregnancy induced hypertension or diabetes, please consult an aromatherapist before starting aromatherapy as certain oils like cypress which may be permissible in normal pregnancy may prove harmful in hypertension.

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