Oils for Pregnancy and Post-Partum Care

 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. 

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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.  ​