Comprehensive essential oils guide for common pregnancy annoyances

Burning in my chest, itching on my belly, and yawning throughout the entire day. Yep, I’m pregnant. And the perpetual nature of all those little annoyances add up.

But there are essential oil remedies and recipes that can help lessen the discomforts of carrying your sweet unborn baby.

When it comes to pregnancy, you may be feeling a bit hesitant on using oils or a little unsure what is safe and what is not… and understandably so.

There is way too much information out there and it’s my personal belief to err on the side of caution, discretion, and even minimalism.

Safe essential oil recipes and uses during pregnancy

My midwife once said that in terms of anything from ultrasounds to medication, sometimes it’s not about what you do or use, but when.

Maybe it’s when the nervous system is forming.
Maybe it’s when the lungs are developing.
Maybe it’s…

So it’s important to know which oils are safe and unsafe during pregnancy because you’re growing a little life inside of you! It’s not worth risking using something you think smells nice or might be a great remedy outside of the baby years when you’re pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

Use great quality essential oils along with a good carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil in any topical applications and make sure you’re diluting to 1% or less (especially less if it’s something you’re using daily).

Essential oils blend for stretch marks

By combining about 6 drops lavender, 6 drops myrrh, and 4 drops helichrysum into a carrier oil and rubbing over the entire belly and lower abdomen area. Repeat this throughout your pregnancy and afterwards to help keep the marks away and help get rid of any as well. But also don’t forget that propr hydration is key to keeping your skin elastic!

Pregnancy hemorrhoid relief

Make a spray to use as needed in a small glass spray bottle by combining 3 drops helichrysum, 3 drops geranium, and 1 drop frankincense in witch hazel as the carrier. Mix well and apply as you need it.

This can also be a really great thing to have on hand following birth! Witch hazel alone even without added oils is really helpful and soothing.

Read about what to include in a postpartum care kit.

For itchy skin on the belly

Ultimately, this just means your baby and belly are GROWING!

But it can be really uncomfortable, especially during big growth spurts. So to help the skin adapt, combine 1 cup shea butter with ½ cup of coconut oil and ½ cup sweet almond or jojoba oil, then add 4 drops frankincense, 4 drops geranium, 6 drops helichrysum, & 6 drops of lavender. (I prefer Almond oil as the vitamin e is great for skin!)

And really, any mixture of the above oils are so soothing.

Melt the shea butter over low to medium heat until it is clear and melted. Then add coconut and almond oils; stir. Remove from heat and let cool off a bit before adding essential oils.

Place in refrigerator for a few hours. If you so desire, you can choose to whip it up until it is like butter. Then, add into a nice glass lidded jar and place back in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Apply to belly to any itchy areas for relief and it will moisturize and give you healthy skin. Storing it in the fridge keeps its form, but also adds to the soothing effect.

Essential oil remedies for general pregnancy discomforts

Please don’t forget to always dilute your oils to 1% or less in a carrier!

Use frankincense and lavender on the bottoms of the feet for calming and emotional support.
For prenatal tiredness and fatigue use a citrus oil on wrists, back of neck and temples and inhale deeply – Lemon, orange or grapefruit are great for this use, just know citruses can be phototoxic meaning that you should avoid sunlight exposure when doing this.
Sleep issues and pregnancy insomnia can be remedied with lavender on the bottoms of the feet, or add a few drops to your pillow, wrists and back of your neck. Also can be added into your bath or a diffuser at bedtime.In fact, add a few drops lavender and frankincense to a spray bottle and top off with witch hazel or vodka (yes, it’s actually a carrier and no, it doesn’t make your house smell boozy) – then spray on sheets just before bedtime.
If you suffer from seasonal discomfort, you can use lemon and lavender and German or Roman chamomile. I also really love Neroli. I read somewhere a long time ago that it’s an antihistamine. I don’t know, but it’s my favorite oil in general so it makes me feel happy regardless.
For reflux issues, use about 2 drops of orange in a carrier oil and rub over the area of discomfort.
Ginger oil helps with nausea really well just by inhaling or adding to a diffuser.
For swelling, apply frankincense and lemongrass and cypress topically with a carrier oil if you choose, to the bottoms of the feet and/ or areas where swelling occurs.

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Kara Carrero

Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 6 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!

Comprehensive essential oils guide for common pregnancy annoyances