Are Oils Safe for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding?
The short answer is to avoid Clary Sage during pregnancy and peppermint while breastfeeding.
You will find warnings everywhere about which oils you should and should not use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These previously were very valid concerns because of the impurities that were so prevalent in the oils available and the threat that they posed in pregnancy, but now that we enjoy the purity of oils that we have with dōTERRA it is no longer an issue.
It is dōTERRA’s sourcing and commitment to pure oils that makes them safe. Toxic oils are either harvested from the wrong species of plant, not distilled properly, harvested at the wrong season, tampered with, chemicals and fillers added and other such things. This is the very reason we can use dōTERRA oils safely, because of their care and commitment to pure safe oils.
You may see mixed information out there in different books about oils and their safety in pregnancy and with your newborn. Please understand these books were written with all oil users in mind. They will be ultra-conservative because their readers may not necessarily be dōTERRA users. The information I give in my book comes from personal experience in my midwifery practice.
dōTERRA has set a standard that reassures us we can use doTERRA oils with confidence in pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is heightened sensitivity so we might use a little less of the oils but they can be used very effectively. In pregnancy, we are very protective about what we put into our body. We should have confidence in the oils through pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Clary Sage is relaxing, calming, and soothing. In general, women should not use it during pregnancy unless they have a lot of experience with the oils, simply because there are so many oils that can accomplish the same thing that maybe aren’t quite as aggressive as that one is.
Peppermint is a caution only for lactating moms, but only a minor caution, it “may” decrease milk supply for some. Other than that, oils are very well-founded for pregnancy.
I always say to follow your own intuition.
You are the one who was given stewardship over your body, and everyBODY is different, so do what you feel comfortable with.
Here is a message from Dr. Hill about using essential oils in pregnancy.
I am suffering from SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) and have been trying to find information about how I can use the oils to help with this condition. It is very painful and is progressively getting worse as baby grows.
I have read and own the first Edition of “Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth & Babies” I have done many of the suggested thing in the book and love reading the book and applying so many things from it. However, I am been unsuccessful in finding something to help with the SPD. Please let me know if there is an oil safe that I can use to help with this. Thank you very much!
Sandra,
Pubic bone discomfort (pubic symphysis dysfunction)
A: The good news is it usually goes away pretty immediately after delivery. It’s comes from your body releasing the hormone called relaxin. It relaxes your joints so a baby can fit through the pelvis. This is a good thing, your body is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, the problem is, it can be extremely painful and honestly delivery is the only thing that REALLY helps.
You may find helichrysum, frankincense and white fir are essential oils to be helpful; I use these because they are very gentle and that area can be sensitive to stronger oils in the pain category. Apply topically to that area, you can dilute or use neat.
I have also had success with Rhus Toxicodendron 30C Boiron 80 Pellet; it is a homeopathic for this type of discomfort and has given relief to many of my clients. Let 1-2 pellets dissolved under you tongue 2-3 times a day. A pubic bone adjustment from a chiropractor may be helpful. You can also purchase an SI belt, it is designed to compress and support the sacroiliac joints, relieving stress and instability, and it also may help support your lower back. You can find one on Amazon.
Rhus Toxicodendron 30C Boiron 80 Pellet
http://goo.gl/vMmKjc
You might find this maternity belt super supportive and helpful also.It offers more support than any other I know of.
http://amzn.to/1pmV1KU
Hi Stephanie,
My name is Rayanne Samra, I’m a doTERRA Manager from the Gold Coast Australia. I focus on Essential Oils for Personal Wellbeing, both in/around the home, & for the development of people with a strong key on young children in school.
I have many hundreds of questions about Essential Oils & Pregnancy of which I am not an expert. Therefore, I hope you don’t mind me asking if I can copy the information from your page with all of your personal details t ogive to impending mothers in my team & amongst my close friends & family.
If you are not happy with this, simply say no & I will find another midwife who’ll support the information share.
I will happily forward people to your website for further consultation of yourself & all I ask is that if they quote my name that you send them back to me to supply the with their doTERRA oils & or assist them in becoming a member themselves. I hope that you are like minded with me in seeing that there is room for us all in doTERRA t help as many people as we can & share in our clients to support each other.
Rayanne Samra Natures Secret Therapies
Of course you are welcome to share my info with others Rayanne, I just ask that you give me credit and refer them back to my website.
Stephanie,
Thank you for all that you do. I’ve learned so much from you.
I do have a question. Is it to continue my frankincense regimen (2 drops once a day) during pregnancy? As you states I’ve read many things. I love frank, but just wanted to be sure!
Thank you!
Ashley, thank you for your kind words, yes I highly recommend continuing Frankincense during pregnancy because its amazing for inflammation support.
Would there be any contraindication to taking the Lifelong Vitality Pack while breastfeeding? I notice it has some ingredients I am not sure about, particularly green tea (caffeine??) … and whole food broccoli (avoided for his digestion)… Are they in a form or in enough quantity that it would cause any problems for the baby? Thank you.
Hi Stephanie,
I have a friend who is pregnant and wants to soak in a bath but she want to relax, what oils would you recommend for her to use? I was thinking Lavender but not sure if that is ok to use.
By the way, I Love your website! A lot of great information 🙂
Thanks,
Alesia, Thank you for your kind words, yes…lavender is a great oil to put in the bath for relaxation. You may find my book helpful. Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth & Babies Second Edition http://amzn.to/2cmeR4b
Hi, is it ok to take on guard beadlets when pregnant?
Thank you for your help with this question!
Health happiness and love,
Heather
Hi Stephanie,
I have a question about the LLV and pregnancy. I showed the bottles to my doctor and he was not ok with the amount of vitamin A. Between the Food nutrient complex and the omega complex,, there is 9000 IU. Do you usually recommend the LLV?