Essential Oils during pregnancy?

[Babyluv]

Hi everyone

Just wondering who knows about essential oil use during pregnancy.
I get an awesome diffuser for my baby shower that you fill with water, add a few drop of oil, plug in and it diffuses a mist of essential oils.

I got two oils with it an easy breathing one which has eucalyptus, spearmint, peppermint, tea tree & lemon and a calming one which has lavender, bergamot, mandarin, ylang ylang, sandalwood and patchouli.

Does anyone know if these are safe? and if the calming one would be suitable for labour?

Thanks

[sconeonamission]

I have a oil burner (the one that uses a tealight candle) and lavender oil. The oil bottle says don't use in pregnancy, but perhaps it means not on the skin? Coz I had it burning anyway today. I can't smell it anyway.

Be interesting to find out!

[Fleur]

If in doubt, check with someone who knows what they are talking about - I am getting my info from a couple of books I have! but according to them, they are all ok except maybe the peppermint. Lavender is funny, some say it's perfectly safe (and it does ahvea reputation as being fairly safe) other s say it's ok if it's diluted. All oils should be used with care during pregnancy, although I wouldn't worry too much if it's late term & in a burner.

Hopefully someone more knowledgable can shed more light

[samaraxx]

I was given some essential oils as a gift in my first pregnancy. I wasn't sure to use them or not so I rang the consumer contact number on the bottles and asked them. Turns out some of them were not reccommended for use in pregnancy, one of them I was strongly advised NO!!! And the rest of them were fine to use. I can't even name them for you sorry- Baby Brain!!! But maybe try doing that? Or ask a chemist or health shop (although not all health shops are really educated on the whole pregnancy thing).
Good Luck x

[delphmoon]

When I was in labor my sister went and bought lavender oil and massaged me with it. It wasn't til after DD was born that we read the bottle and it said don't use in pregnancy

I agree with what Samara said- better to be safe than sorry

[tinkerbelle]

Maybe consult a qualified aromatherapist? - they woudl be able to tell you.
The aromtherapist I saw said spearmint, peppermint, lavendar, bergamot - can all be good to use during labour.
Ylang ylang has a blood pressure lowering effect apparently, so should be used wtih caution in ppl who already have low BP.