Scents & sensibility
My Child: Winter 2007

Aromatherapy can have great benefits for mum during pregnancy, may assist with a smooth delivery and then recovery after birth. But how safe is it to use essential oils at these times?

You might think aromatherapy and pregnancy are about as sensible a combination as oil and burns to the skin, but consider this: 80 years ago a French chemist badly burnt his hand in the laboratory. He plunged it into the nearest cool liquid and found it brought a surprisingly high level of pain relief. Afterwards, the burn healed quickly and left no scar. The liquid in that vat was essential oil of lavender and thereby aromatherapy was born.

René-Maurice Gattefossé may have coined the name, but aromatherapy has been around since antiquity, with the Egyptians using infused oils for many purposes. Today, the practice uses fragrant, concentrated oils that are extracted from the seeds, roots, bark, flowers and fruit of plants to heal and improve wellbeing.

As a gentle, natural therapy, it makes sense that aromatherapy should be suitable for use during pregnancy, however many people are under the impression that it should be avoided, citing horror stories of oils that cause miscarriage or premature labour.

Susan Cleary, chairperson of the International Federation of Aromatherapists, says: ‘Aromatherapy is absolutely safe to use in pregnancy, provided you take note of the essential oils that have safety precautions and follow correct usages.’ In other words, treat essential oils with the care and respect you would for everything else that goes into or onto your body during pregnancy.

Avoiding aromatherapy means missing out on a fantastic range of benefits during pregnancy, labour and after birth. Different oils can be used to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve swollen limbs, ward off nausea, ease pain during labour and help fight postnatal depression.

Essential oils can be used in a number of ways – heated in an infuser or inhaled on a tissue; with water as a room spray; applied by massage to the skin or in a fragrant bath; or on a cool compress.

Inhalation
When essential oils are inhaled, the aromatherapy works by stimulating olfactory cells in the nasal cavity. This affects the limbic system, known as the emotional centre of the brain. Our sense of smell is poorly understood, but it is known to be linked to the oldest, most primitive part of the brain, which has a direct link to our emotions. The aroma of orange is stimulating and positive, for example, while Roman chamomile promotes a feeling of calm. It is very safe to use oils in this way during pregnancy.

Topically
When essential oils are applied to the skin, they are absorbed into the bloodstream, activating receptors specific to that plant. More care must be taken when using aromatherapy in this way because of this direct access to the bloodstream, and certain oils are to be avoided during different stages of pregnancy (see boxed text over
page for more information).

Emmenagogic oils
Essential oils that are emmenagogic, meaning they promote menstrual flow, should be avoided in the early stages of pregnancy, but they can be helpful around the time of labour. Other oils can cause photosensitivity, which means avoiding the sun after use.

What’s natural?
It’s important to keep in mind that natural does not automatically mean safe. ‘A funnel web spider is natural,’ says Cleary, ‘and so is a rattlesnake. Essential oils can be incredibly powerful and there are a few that a qualified aromatherapist wouldn’t use on anyone – pregnant or otherwise.’

SAFETY
So how do you know which oils are safe to use? ‘Stick to the good old favourites,’ suggests Cleary. ‘Neroli, lavender and mandarin have been proven to be safe when used on the body. And only use blends from a trusted source or an accredited aromatherapist, such as one listed with the IFA. You should seek professional advice so your medical history can be assessed. Be sure to let your aromatherapist know of any medical conditions such as epilepsy or high blood pressure or if you have a history of difficulties during pregnancy.’

Oils for pregnancy
Common advice suggests avoiding aromatherapy during the first trimester of pregnancy, however Cleary has worked with women from conception right through to birth, giving them aromatherapy massage throughout, and points out that as most women don’t know they’re pregnant for the first eight weeks, it may be impractical to advise them not to use essential oils.

Val Tolputt, a midwife and aromatherapist, recommends that women who could fall pregnant should stick to the mild, gentle oils such as Australian sandalwood and rosewood as a sensible precaution. More potent oils should be used with the advice of a qualified aromatherapist in any case, she adds. Inhalation methods such as using an oil burner are perfectly safe during the early stages of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, aromatherapy massage on a regular basis can help a woman feel more connected with her changing body, relieve tension and fatigue, and help with stretchmarks.

Catherine Arfi, the founder of the Aromababy natural skincare range, says, ‘I believe massage should be an integral part of pregnancy and post-natal care. I massaged myself throughout both my pregnancies and continued to do so afterwards. This helped to tone and condition my stretched tummy skin and muscle, which bounced back relatively well within a short period of time. I used massage time to lie down and rest, and talk to my growing baby.’

Aromatherapy massage can also be a fantastic way to get your partner involved – a massage with lavender oil in the evening is a great contribution that can demystify your pregnancy some- what, and is a blissful experience for mum-to-be.

Cleary points out that pregnant women are stressed, just like everyone else. ‘Aromatherapy can help ease anxiety, prevent fluid retention and improve blood circulation,’ she explains. ‘And pregnant woman will have many of the same ailments as non-pregnant women, but need to be cautious about taking drugs and over-the- counter remedies. Using essential oils can boost the immune system, preventing the need for medication for colds or bronchitis, for example. This is especially crucial during winter,’ she says.
Citrus oils, such as lemon and sweet orange, are uplifting oils, great for beating lethargy and for the digestive system. Be careful with bergamot, however, as it is photosensitive. ‘Lemon and lime, which are known for their vaso-constricting properties, may be useful when combined in a massage oil for the legs and feet,’ explains Arfi. ‘These oils may help to tighten and strengthen vein walls. Remember to always massage from the foot upward towards the thigh and remember to elevate legs as often as possible to prevent swelling.’

Grapefruit oil is helpful for fluid retention and adding two drops to a teaspoon of vegetable oil, rubbed onto the edge of the lower rib cage, can be great for indigestion. Cleary also recommends vaporising may chang oil for morning sickness and mental clarity.

Mandarin and lavender are lovely, nurturing oils, and also help with stretchmarks. Use cypress for varicose veins (add a few drops to vegetable oil or cream and rub into the affected area), cedar- wood for mucus congestion and to calm anxiety, sandalwood and tea tree safely during pregnancy.

Tolputt points out that pregnant women have heightened senses so the concentration of essential oils used in the bath and massage oils should be lower than for non-pregnant women. This is one reason why it’s so important to use a specific pregnancy blend or see an aromatherapist.

‘A bath can be deeply relaxing for a pregnant woman,’ says Tolputt. ‘Run the water first, not too hot or else the oils will vaporise before you get in. If you don’t have a dispersant, agitate the water with your hand to break the oils up. Take a flannel into the bath and soak it in the water, then rinse it out and place it under your neck.’ Tolputt’s two favourite pregnancy blends are:
• Three drops of lavender and the same again of sweet orange oil, plus one drop of Australian sandalwood in 20ml of sweet almond carrier oil for massage, or with dispersant in the bath.
• Two drops of rose geranium, three drops of bergamot and one drop of Australian sandalwood in 20ml of sweet almond carrier oil, or with a dispersant in the bath.

Aromatherapy for labour
It was when Tolputt worked as a midwife that she became interested in aromatherapy as a way to promote a calm and nourishing birth experience. She now works at the birthing unit at Blacktown hospital in Sydney and runs a small massage and aromatherapy practice. Her pregnancy blends can be adjusted for labour by adding two drops of clary sage or nutmeg per 20ml of carrier oil.

Aromatherapy is used in many birthing units and is becoming more widely used within hospitals,’ says Tolputt. ‘During labour, aromatherapy helps a woman find her focus and calm panic. Some essential oils also have a mild analgesic effect and
Their presence distracts from labour pain.’

Tolputt says her first priority when preparing pregnancy an aromatherapy blend is that the woman finds it pleasant. Labouring women have heightened senses so it mustn’t be overwhelming. ‘You’d be amazed how a couple of long strokes of the legs or a foot massage with an aromatherapy massage oil can calm a labouring woman through transition, or how comforting an aromatherapy bath can be,’ she says.

During labour, oils can be used for massage or in a bath, or in an electric vaporiser. ‘Two drops of peppermint oil on a tissue helps relieve waves of nausea during labour. It can be used as needed and easily discarded when not,’ says Tolputt.

‘I found inhaling sandalwood essential oil on a hanky during contractions both nurturing and relaxing,’ says Arfi. ‘A known stress-reducing oil, with an ability to promote calm and open the mind and body, sandalwood is an ideal choice at the beginning of a lengthy labour. Also, a hand- towel that’s been soaked in hot water containing a blend of lavender, clary sage and mandarin can help to aid contractions.’

As the baby’s head crowns and the perineum is stretched up, Tolputt sometimes uses a compress of lavender and iced water to ease the burning, stinging sensation. Tears and episiotomy wounds can also be treated with cool compresses utilising either clary sage, lavender, one of the chamomiles or a blend of these.

Looking after Mum
There are various oils that help boost the immune system, balance hormones and prevent postnatal depression for new mothers. Most importantly, explains Cleary, aromatherapy can help with the nurturing process. ‘People pay so much attention to the beautiful baby, meanwhile the new mum is doing a million things at once, trying to cope with the new baby and the family commitments and everything else.

Sweet orange is a happy, cheerful oil that can ease anxiety and help prevent depression. Geranium is both an emotional and hormonal balancer, and lavender is excellent for calming and relaxing,’ explains Cleary.

Tolputt advises mothers to continue using aromatherapy after the birth of their baby, but in lower concentrations, as when pregnant. She also recommends treatment of dry skin with gentle aromatherapy blends rather than using chemical- laden moisturisers.

While it’s safe to use essential oils on the skin, avoid massaging the breasts if breastfeeding as essential oils should never be taken internally. They taste horrible anyway and your baby would not be impressed. Don’t choose any of the oils that are too stimulating or any of the strong spice oils. It’s also best to avoid ginger or anything else with a strong taste.

Safe keeping
Essential oils are derived solely from plants, trees grasses, the peel of citrus fruits and some berries, including juniper and black pepper. They have therapeutic benefits, don’t dissolve in water, are volatile (evaporate into air) and should be protected from heat, light and air. To do so they need to be kept in a dark, well-sealed container, preferably not plastic. There is no need to keep oils in the fridge. With the exception of lavender and tea tree, essential oils must always be diluted in a vegetable or other carrier oil, such as almond or avocado. Avoid contact with sensitive areas of the body such as the eyes and perineum, and note that undiluted lavender and tea tree are not to be used on these areas. Some citrus oils can cause skin irritation, so do a patch test first.

Avoid mistaking fragrant oils for essential oils. Fragrant oils are manufactured rather than natural and the majority are synthetic with no therapeutic benefits other than a nice smell. A good way to gauge whether an essential oil is of high-quality or not is to take note of its price.

Essential oils vary quite a lot in price, for example lemon essential oil may cost a tenth of rose essential oil, whereas fragrant oils will all cost the same. And don’t forget to keep all oils out of the reach of children.

Recommended
Val Tolputt says, ‘I recommend the gentle, calming and uplifting oils of lavender, ylang ylang, sweet orange, Australian sandalwood, bergamot (avoid the sun after use), mandarin, lime, grapefruit, spearmint, neroli, palmarosa, rosewood, tangerine, lemon and rose geranium.
The following can be used in consultation with your aromatherapist: black pepper, tea tree, German and Roman chamomile, eucalyptus, petigrain and vetiver.’ neroli, which is extracted from blossoms of the bitter orange tree, is uplifting and useful in treating mood swings, tension, insomnia and avoiding stretchmarks.

Avoid jasmine for the first eight months as it encourages contraction of the uterus and is noted for preparing the uterine muscles for labour. After the 36th week, use it daily as a massage oil on the abdomen and lower back. It can help promote focus and strength in the delivery room, too. Jasmine, rose and neroli are all good for post-partum recovery.

Precautionary
These oils are only to be used in consultation with your aromatherapist: aniseed, basil, clary sage, atlas and virginian cedarwood, cypress, sweet and bitter fennel, jasmine (see above), juniper, sweet marjoram, nutmeg, rose, myrrh, peppermint and rosemary.

Avoid
Stay away from: hyssop, cinnamon, pennyroyal, sage, pine, parsley, camphor, tarragon, thyme and wintergreen.