DISCLAIMER: This blog post is for informational purposes ONLY and is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed physician, nurse, or nurse midwife. I consulted with my midwives prior to using essential oils during this pregnancy and received the thumbs up!

I always, always, always say to use common sense when using oils. The difference is all about quality (which is why I ONLY use Young Living because I know the quality of what I’m using) and using the oils in the appropriate manner for which they are intended.

I have gotten A LOT of questions from readers about how I’ve used essential oils throughout this pregnancy. I’m certainly no expert, but I always love hearing from others as far as what they’ve liked, tried, and found to support them. So, I thought it would be helpful to share with y’all what I’ve used, tried, liked, etc.

I thought I’d break it down by books, resources, oils, and supplements…

My Favorite Books & Resources for Essential Oils and Pregnancy:

Gentle Babies – This book is THE essential oil reference for safely using oils during pregnancy, birth, and on little ones. I have referenced it MANY times over the last two years and I know it will continue to be a staple in my home!

The Chemical Free Home 3 – This book has SO many awesome DIY recipes that are great for pregnancy and little ones.

Essential Oils Desk Reference Book – This book is just generally the essential oils “bible” and has been fantastic as far as providing information and resources with regards to the different oils and supplements I’ve chosen to use.

A word of safety – These are a few oils to avoid or use with caution sparingly DURING pregnancy:

• Clary Sage or Sage
• Idaho Tansy
• Hyssop
• Fennel
• Wintergreen
• Cassia
• Cinnamon bark
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Tarragon
• Blends and supplements that contain these oils

Again, going back to what I said before… the difference is in quality and common sense.

Essential Oils I’ve Used to Support Healthy Pregnancy:

Lavender – Lavender is just fantastic for supporting skin health, diffusing to support restful sleep, helping to just calm and relax at the end of the day, and I also LOVE putting some in bath salts and taking a warm bath with it. It’s a MUST HAVE for any pregnant woman (in my humble opinion). 🙂 Here’s a post I did on my favorite uses for Lavender.

Frankincense – I always say… “If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me.” Haha! Just kidding, but seriously. Frankincense is FANTASTIC for supporting healthy skin (it’s in my homemade belly balm), and it also is fantastic to diffuse and I love it for supporting a healthy respiratory system. Especially important while pregnant during this time of year! Here’s a post on my favorite uses for Frankincense.

Lemon – I drink SO MUCH WATER while pregnant. I have a glass mason jar tumblr thing that my friend gave me and I love putting a drop of lemon in my water. So refreshing! Here’s a post on my favorite uses for Lemon.

Peppermint – Peppermint is not only invigorating to diffuse (love diffusing it with lemon!), this oil is great for supporting healthy digestion… which is TOTALLY important during pregnancy! I loved to sniff it or even put a drop on my tongue to ease the effects of morning sickness (or all day sickness). Here’s a post on my favorite uses for Peppermint.

Thieves – I love to diffuse Thieves (because it smells like fall!), but also because it helps to support a healthy immune system which is super important. I also put it in my immune system supporting roll-on that I apply to the bottoms of my feet every day. Thieves does contain a few of the “use with caution” oils – I have used Thieves in the appropriate manner and in moderation and have only experienced positive effects from it. It’s all in personal comfort level!

Stress Away – This oil does exactly what it sounds like… melts the stress away. 🙂 Smells like vacation in a bottle and is THE OIL I apply to my wrists when I’m about to head into the grocery store with a fussy toddler. In all seriousness, I love this stuff and use it DAILY! Here’s a post on my favorite uses for Stress Away.

Gentle Baby – This is the “swiss army knife” of essential oils for pregnancy. It’s got such a calming and relaxing scent, it’s extremely supportive of skin health, great for overall wellness, and just… one of my favorites! I can’t say enough good things about it!

Peace and Calming – Another one that does what it sounds like… just is so calming and relaxing smelling. I love to diffuse it and also apply it to the bottoms of my feet before bed!

Valor – I apply one drop of Valor to my belly in the morning and I also love to apply it along my jawline before bed to help promote a restful night’s sleep.

And, of course, my homemade belly butter has been AMAZING. I’m nearing the end and my stretch marks are barely visible.

Vitamins and Supplements I’ve Used to Support Healthy Pregnancy:

Garden of Life RAW Prenatal Vitamin – sadly Young Living doesn’t have a prenatal vitamin. They do have a multivitamin (Master Formula, which I love), but I wanted a good RAW prenatal vitamin to take. I LOVE the Garden of Life line because they’re organic, raw, and have all the vitamins and minerals I need.

Garden of Life RAW Iron – For both pregnancies (with Lilly and this one), my iron has been very low. This isn’t uncommon in pregnancy and many women suffer from low iron throughout pregnancy. So, taking an iron supplement is really important. Again, I love the Garden of Life brand and their iron supplement has been awesome.

MultiGreens – MultiGreens has all those good greens (like barley grass, bee pollen, Pacific kelp, etc.) that are highly supportive of the immune system. They also are great for giving your body energy and nutrients that it needs! I feel a HUGE difference when I take MultiGreens versus when I forget to. I really notice it.

About MultiGreens:

“MultiGreens™ is a nutritious chlorophyll formula designed to boost vitality by working with the glandular, nervous, and circulatory systems.* MultiGreens is made with spirulina, alfalfa sprouts, barley grass, bee pollen, eleuthero, Pacific kelp, and therapeutic-grade essential oils.”

Super C – With Lilly in preschool this year and EVERYONE around us getting sick, I have been REALLY diligent to do anything I can to boost and support my immune system. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to catch anything (hello bronchitis in November… WORST…), but anything I can take to support my body in the best way that I can I will.

I love the Super C tablets because they have all the good vitamin C your body needs! And especially during pregnancy, vitamin C is so good for you and your baby!

About Super C:

“Super C™ not only contains 2,166% of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C per serving, but it is also fortified with rutin, citrus bioflavonoids, and minerals to balance electrolytes and enhance the effectiveness and absorption of vitamin C.* The essential oils that are added may also increase bioflavonoid activity. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins required by our bodies. The ingredients in Super C play a role in normal immune and circulatory functions, help to strengthen connective tissues, and promote overall health, vitality, and longevity.* Because our bodies cannot manufacture vitamin C, we can benefit by consuming this powerful antioxidant daily.”

NingXia Red – Oh, NingXia Red… how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. There’s so much I could say about my beloved NingXia Red, but let me just say that this stuff has been a STAPLE this pregnancy (and really is a staple in our house, period… my husband takes it, and Lilly even has a little every once in awhile too!)

NingXia Red is a superfruit drink that is LOADED with antioxidants. It has helped to support my energy (which I need as much of that as I can get), it’s helped ease nausea and stomach discomfort throughout pregnancy, and it also helps to supply my body with an extra boost of vitamins and nutrients that it needs (especially during this precious time!)

LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff. If you only try one thing… NingXia would be it!

About NingXia Red:

“Add a daily shot of NingXia Red® to your diet to enjoy the benefits of this powerful, whole-body supplement. This sweet and tangy drink’s formula includes wolfberry, which is touted for its health benefits. Also featuring plum, aronia, cherry, blueberry, and pomegranate juices and extracts, Young Living’s NingXia Red is packed with superfoods to support overall wellness.

In addition to these antioxidant ingredients, NingXia Red’s formula includes pure vanilla extract and Lemon, Orange, Yuzu, and Tangerine essential oils for a great-tasting, healthy treat.*

Young Living NingXia Red benefits include support for energy levels, normal cellular function, and whole-body and normal eye health. A daily shot of 2–4 ounces helps support overall wellness with powerful antioxidants.*

750-ml bottles of NingXia Red are Halal and Kosher certified.”

SO there you have it! I’m sorry if this was a super long post, but I hope it was helpful to you!

What about you? Have you used essential oils during pregnancy? Any favorites for you?

If you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! And if you don’t feel comfortable asking in the comments, you can always email me, too!

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