NURTURE Motherhood

Oils for Pregnancy and Post-Partum Care

7/21/2020

I can't express enough just how THANKFUL I am to have oils and natural wellness as an integral part of this pregnancy and birth.

With Greyson, I had JUST begun my natural journey and didn't use oils until he was an infant. While they were a Godsend then, I wish I would've been able to use them through pregnancy, labor and birth. Maybe I would have an easier natural birth experience if I had them in my arsenal. Only God knows for sure, but I'm bringing out all the oily big guns this time around for baby girl.

Below I've composed a list of the oils that I am using in my pregnancy, as well as the oils that will be used alongside my doula's support at home and while in the hospital and the oils I will use for mine and the babies post-partum care.

I will also be putting together a babies and kids best oils post soon as well.

To read about my first natural birth story with Grey, click here.

Oils for Pregnancy

Alkalime
I used this for heartburn and morning sickness. Amazing!
R.C. and Eucalyptus Radiata
With baby girl I developed stuffiness all through my first trimester. Diffusing R.C. or Eucalyptus and using it in the shower helped a ton!
Panaway
For muscle aches, sciatica, hip aches. All the things.
Deep Relief Cream
Same as above. I prefer cream to oil when putting it on large areas.
Ningxia Red
Drinking this everyday, 2-3 oz., is SO beneficial in so many ways. From placenta health, to energy from pregnancy fatigue to stabilizing blood sugar levels, Ningxia Red in my fridge is a must have everyday.
Circulation Blend
I use a circulation blend of tangerine, cypress and helichrysum in the evenings before bed to help with circulation while I sleep. I mix a few drops of each oil with 2 TBSP. of avocado oil and rub from my ankles to my knees in upward strokes. Ningxia Red also helps with this.
Edema Blend
During the third trimester, I, as well as so many mamas, get swelling either in the lower extremities or all throughout the body. In addition to staying off your feet as much as possible, you can use this Edema Blend on your feet, ankles and legs by mixing cypress, tangerine and geranium with a carrier oil of your choice.
Group B Strep Prevention Blend
I did this while I was pregnant with Grey to prevent GBS prior to my appointment to be tested. In addition to taking multiple Apple Cider Vinegar Sitz baths the week leading up to my appointment, I also used three drops of Thieves on my feet every night, five drops Valor along my spine morning and night, took the Life 5 Probiotic every day and drank lemon and thieves in my tea.
Rose Ointment
Amazing for tears, sore nipples and healing hemorrhoids.
Peace and Calming
For all things anxiety leading up to birth and to diffuse each night to help with pregnancy insomnia and restless sleep.

See my expanded post on perineum care below. What to do at one month out from birth, three weeks out from birth, one week out from birth and day of labor onset to help with labor so there is less risk of tearing.

Oils for Labor

Clary Sage
One drop massaged on ankles every 15 minutes can help with dilation.
Present Time
Diffuse to stay present in the moment. Newborn life can feel VERY overwhelming.
Surrender
Release negative emotions by applying 1-2 drops or diffuse.
Release
Release negative emotions by applying 1-2 drops or diffuse.
Peace and Calming
For rest, relaxation and a clear mind through the sleepless newborn fog. This oil helps immensely with my anxiety.
Labor Blend
Frankincense
En-R-Gee
Smell directly from bottle for energy, or apply to back of neck, behind ears or on feet for a natural boost.
Diffuser Blend
Whether a hospital room, your bedroom or birth center, have this blend going continually through labor. Have your partner or doula refill if needed. 4 Drops Lavender, 4 Drops Frankincense, 2 Drops Ylang Ylang, 2 Drops Roman Chamomile.
After-Birth Blend
You can use this oil blend with a carrier oil of your choice over your abdomen right after birth to help expel the placenta and tone the uterus. Have this premade in a bottle for your doctor, husband, midwife or doula to apply. 5-10 drops geranium, 5-10 drops of lavender and 7-15 drops of jasmine.

Oils for Post-Partum Care

Frankincense
Applied to both my head as well as the head of the baby right after birth as an anointing oil. Highly healing.
Trauma Life
For the crown of my head and my feet for immediately after birth. Great to inhale as well.
Lavender
On feet for relaxation and post-birth sleep.
Gentle Baby
Over me to bond with baby. And for my abdominal area after birth.
Claraderm Spray
I use this post-birth on the vaginal area for a natural alternative to store brand sprays that can be filled with chemicals.
Peppermint
If you're having a hard time urinating after birth, put a few drops of this in your toilet bowl. You could alternatively use eucalyptus over the bladder area.
En-R-Gee
Hemorrhoid Relief Blend
Combine the following oils with 4 drops of carrier oil and apply topically to the area. One drop peppermint, two drops helichrysum, 2 drops geranium and 2 drops cypress. Repeat as needed for comfort and healing.
Rose
Rose is HIGHLY healing. Inhale daily or wear as perfume to combat PPD or PPA. Frankincense also works.
Joy
Inhale daily or wear as perfume to combat PPD or PPA. I will be doing a blend of Joy and Rose in diffusers and as my perfume as I struggled with Grey for the first few months.
Thyromin
To regulate thyroid and post-partum moods.
Present Time
To stay present in each moment.

PERINEUM CARE (Episiotomy Prevention)
(Apply Blends to Perineum)

One Month Before Delivery:
5 Drops Clary Sage, 2 Drops Rose. Mix with 1 oz. carrier oil and apply.
ClaraDerm Spray - spray 1-3 times a day

Three Weeks Before Delivery:
8 Drops Geranium, 5 Drops Lavender. Mix with 1 oz. carrier oil and apply three times a day.
ClaraDerm Spray - spray 1-3 times a day

One Week Before Delivery:
8 Drops Geranium, 5 Drops Lavender, 5 Drops Fennel. Mix with 1 oz. carrier oil and apply.
ClaraDerm Spray - spray 1-3 times a day

Once Labor Is Established:
Massage perineum with a 1:10 dilution of carrier oil and Myrrh oil.

If There Is Trauma or a Tear Post-Labor:
Claraderm Spray - can apply hourly if needed.
Melrose - dilute 1:10 and apply to area.
Create a sitz bath with bath water, 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 drops cypress, 3 drops lavender for healing.

Bookmark this post to help you prep your prenatal, labor and postnatal care oil bag.

I will be doing Instagram stories along my way as well so you can see how I'm using them, how I'm preparing them for the hospital and how I'm setting them up with my at-home care station for when baby girl is here. You can follow along at http://www.instagram.com/noshandnurture.

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Grey Turns Four

7/16/2020

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My sweet boy.

Raising you has been the most beautiful, exciting, adventurous, tiring (haha), God-filled adventure of our lives. You are the most amazing little man I would have ever hoped to know and I get to be your mom.

You are modest.
You always have to have a shirt and shorts or pants on at all times. Even when we are home and I tell you it's totally cool if kids chill in no shirt. You won't have it. And I find that charming and totally opposite of toddler life. You prefer buttoned, nice clothes to sporty attire and you love picking out your own outfits everyday now. Something I both super love but makes me a little sad at the same time.

You are funny.
You are the prankster, you love making us laugh. You want to learn jokes just to tell them to us. You make silly faces, and dance around and are just the cutest little goofball.

You are smart.
You blow me away with the concepts you continue to grasp. You've been a little smart cookie since infancy, but as you grow, it becomes more apparent to your dad and I and those around you just how special your little brain is. I am beyond thrilled to be your teacher and can't wait to see everything you become.

You are talented.
You have a knack for science like dad, and are falling in love with music like mama. You asked for a real piano and guitar and microphone for your birthday and you're starting to like to perform. You can oddly do some really good modern dance moves that we've never showed you. I love seeing all the little ways you're becoming you.

You are adorable.
Like, beyond. Your sweet face and your silly smiles melt me every, single, time. Your little voice and the way you still say a few words silly even though your vocabulary is so vast are things to hold onto and remind me you're not big quite yet. Like "fa-leter" for theatre.

You are loving.
You give the best hugs, just like your dad. Firm, like you mean it every time you hug us. You constantly tell me how you'll take care of me and your sister always, especially when dads not home. You sing your baby sister songs in my belly and tell us all throughout the day how much you love us. I can't get enough of you. My bestie.

You are strong.
You know what you want. Which gave us some struggles this year, haha, but we've seemed to work a lot of that out. Praise. You are a master negotiator and a go-getter, which will serve you so, so well later in life. You need to be a strong man to take on this world, and God's guidance and your leadership strength will get you far my love.

You love God.
Already you take time to pray (you pray for your dad out loud while he is at work and it melts me) - you always remind us to pray at dinner, you pray when you hear a siren go by and you always thank God for your family at night. You are a darling soul and I'm honored to be your mama.

You're Tall.
Still one of the tallest toddlers around. I'm convinced you will be over 6 feet tall and you can carry me around when I'm a little old lady because you'll have a foot on me, haha. You are almost in a size 5 and I can't believe how much you've grown in every way this year.

Happy, Happy Birthday to my best friend, my sweetest son, my first born and my world. Mommy and daddy ADORE you and we hope, that even during a "quarantine birthday" you have the most magical and joyful day. We love you. You are four.