Aromatherapy?

[tlat]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had used aromatherapy in their first trimester? I am about 4 weeks and prior to my BFP have loved a bit of scent in the air! having googled it...the results vary from an outright no to only use certain essential oils to only use them on an oil burner but not directly on skin! I'm just feeling a bit emo today and was thinking it might help!

[Pidgin]

Hi tlat, I've used essential oils throughout (just coming up to 28 weeks). There are some oils you're supposed to avoid in pregnancy - ones that stimulate contractions for example - I stuck to lavender and geranium (separately), which I use in my bath and an oil burner. I only use a couple of drops in the bath, but then I wouldn't use more than that normally anyway. I would avoid putting them directly on skin though.

[Umnitsa]

I've been using Clarins body and face oils all through pregnancy. Quite a few essential oils are not recommended at this time, so I also googled them to check. Clarins body oil is especially formulated for pregnant women as it is supposed to help against stretchmarks, so I assume it is perfectly safe. You might want to look up its composition and use the same oils in mixing your own blends.

Congratulations and good luck with your pregnancy!

[tlat]

Thanks Pidgin and Umnitsa! I feel abit better now, feeling very hormonal....crying one minute and excited the next!
Off to buy some new oils now....shopping therapy!

[Umnitsa]

It all sounds v familiar!

These are some of the oils one should avoid in pregnancy: calamus, mugwort, pennyroyal, sage, wintergreen, hyssop, basil, myrrh, marjoram, thyme.

Hope you feel better after your pampering session!

[tlat]

Hmmm Umnitsa...that's interesting....sage, basil and thyme....aren't they herbs usually used for cooking !

[Umnitsa]

It's much more concentrated in essential oils than the amount of the same herb you would put in a salad, I guess that's why.

[tlat]

Any one know if there are any that would be good for morning sickness? It has just hit be pretty hard today!

[Umnitsa]

Try Roman chamomile with ginger as inhalation in a burner or on a tissue (advice from my midwife).