My Pregnancy and Oil Journey
- Jasmine Hutchinson
- Jun 20, 2019
- 5 min read
I am currently nearing the end of my second pregnancy and I have been blessed to feel every change my body went through. From feeling the baby attach to the uterus (this was painful), to the symptoms from the surge of hormones (from nausea and pain to depression), to the stretch of my skin (burning … it’s been quite a journey.
I don’t mean to say blessed to be facetious. I say it because, although not every experience with my body was pleasant, I am still grateful to be healthy and connect with myself in a different way.
Because I wanted to deliver and progress through my pregnancy in a supportive environment, I chose to have my care managed by a midwife who was knowledgeable about health and wellness and not going to try to shove medications down my throat for every little thing. My journey with her and her staff has exceeded my expectations beyond what I could have ever hoped for- they made me feel like part of a team/family than a patient. I am ending this pregnancy having gained more knowledge than when I went in.
Yes, I am getting to the oils… Aside from being supported by my midwife, I also had a supportive husband- who annoyingly continued to check on me, supportive friends- who could look past my smile, and family- one in particular made sure I was actually using my oils.
Oils… When it came to using oils during my pregnancy, I mainly rotated between the following: Peppermint, DigestZen (doTERRA), Digize (YL), Lavender, Lemon, WildOrange (doTERRA), Cinnamon Bark, Ginger, OnGaurd (doTERRA), Thieves (YL), Balance (doTERRA), Frankincense, Grapefruit, and Spearmint.
It is encouraged that you dilute your oils when you are pregnant as since your blood vessels are dilated and you have an increase in blood supply, a small amount can go a long way. Also, keep in mind the oils do cross the placenta. Remember oils are not new, they have been used since ancient times. Different doctors use them also as a first line defense- see link in the reference section for videos from doTERRA at bottom of the page.
I used these various oils in different ways. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I was extremely tired- at times I would wake up eat a little breakfast and go back to sleep, and I was also nauseated most of the time. If you know about morning sickness, you know it is not just in the morning but all day. I ended up calling off most of my first trimester. When I was up and functional I rubbed peppermint on my stomach to help with morning sickness, drank tea with ginger, and sipped water with a drop of lemon and peppermint in it throughout the day. This brought my nausea down to a level I could tolerate and eat. I used lavender and vetiver essential oils to help me get some rest during my naps before work, so I would be functional when I was there. I wish I would have continued to use them every time I slept but I slowly fell off a routine with how I used to use oils before pregnancy.
As my body began to go through its hormonal changes and I wasn’t able to push myself how I once did before becoming pregnant, the emotions started to set in. I continued to work through them and “nurse” myself, talking with a few friends here and there who cautioned me to be on alert if anything were to change.
Eventually, I called one of my close family member-crying I might add- and told her about what I had been feeling. She not only prayed for me but also encouraged me to start using my oils again, Wild Orange specifically. I then began to diffuse wild orange at night, which helped me feel better. I could feel the difference. I then also felt like I had the energy to walk for exercise which also helped my mood. For me, it was a night and day feeling.
During my second trimester, I ended up getting sick. I made a medicine bomb tea with 6g of the ginger crystals, a drop on lemon, OnGaurd, eucalyptus, and a shot of elderberry. I drank this once a day before going to work and it gave me an energy boost, cleared my stuffiness, and made me feel like I wasn’t sick- for like 5 hours. At home, I diffused OnGaurd and eucalyptusaround the house while taking elderberry and using OnGaurd cough drops. I was only sick for four days and then had a lingering cough for 3.
The cinnamon essential oil I mainly used in my tea, coffee, or desserts. I began having a craving for it and ironically it also helps stabilize blood sugars.
At the beginning of my third trimester, I started having back pain and the Braxton Hicks started. I made a blend of Spearmint, Frankincense, Wild Orange, and Lavender in by body butter mix and would rub on my belly and back to aid with the pain. This helped me along with ice and heat packs until about 34 weeks, then I had to go off work and actually rest. (I am a working momma). I continued to use this blend as needed until my back pain went away. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to stop Braxton Hicks- it is apart of your body preparing for labor.
As I move closer to my EDD (estimated delivery date), I find myself using oils like
balance, vetiver, peppermint, spearmint, the DigestZen when GERD is a problem, Wild Orange, and Frankincense. I use these oils both topically and aromatically throughout the day and night. Rubbing balance with peppermint on my feet before going for a walk actually feels different than when I didn’t use it. These oils also provide me with an extra boost while cleaning and organizing my home to prepare for the baby.
Using oils in my pregnancy has helped me with a lot of symptoms along with having a tremendous support system. As I prepare for labor I am now getting my blends together to aid through and post labor. I will be sure to share my experience with you all.
Resources… If you are interested in watching some educational videos on oils and pregnancy. doTERRA has some information about oils and pregnancy I watched toward the end of my pregnancy.
I also used Moder Essentials and The Essential Life, along with online articles, as a reference for looking up with oils were safe to use during pregnancy. Although you should also speak with your health care provider.
You should avoid Sage (ok during labor), Hyssop, Fennel, and wintergreen during pregnancy. There are also other oils that should be avoided in certain trimesters depending on if you are high risk. Be sure to research.
I hope the information from my journey helps you with yours.
Jasmine Hutchinson BSN, PHN, RN
My Doterra Member Number: 6339913; More information about Doterra
My Young Living Member Number: 11817538; More information about Young Living
Feel free to email or comment; I am here to help you on your journey.
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