Preblended oil for pregnant client?

[samarira]

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice please! I have my first pregnant client for IHM coming up (37 weeks preganant). I know that you have to be careful using essential oils with pregnant clients, but what about so called "safe" pre-blended oils? I'm not an aromatherapist, so I have a couple of preblended oils I like to use in IHM:

A euphoric blend of Bergamot, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli & rosemary will restore the emotions whilst keeping the mind alert. In a Sweet Almond carrier oil base. Suitable for all skin types.[/align][/align]A nourishing blend of Bergamot, Clary sage, Frankincense and Rose. Inner Calm will restore, soothe and rebalance mind and body. Ideal for use at night or when needed. In a Sweet Almond carrier oil base.[/align][/align]Is it advisable to avoid any blended oils in pregnancy? (I'm thinking I would probably not use them............) If so, should I perhaps just use a plain sweet almond oil if she would like a massage with oil?[/align][/align]Thanks very much.[/align]

 

[atqyquux]

Yes, i think it's best to just use sweet almond oil. (i am not trained in aromatherapy and would have to check my IHM notes - but i think you have to be extra careful at the beginning and also the end of the pregnancy).

You could always do an internet search (lavender may be fine and chamomile - but check first).

Good luck

all the best
jess x

 

[Rebecca T]

Hi

I wouldn't recommend you use essential oils preblended if you are not a qualified aromatherapist and know exactly what the properties of the oils are. Pregnancy is a specialist area - so sticking to base massage oil is ideal and I am sure your client will get a lot from the treatment.

Luv Binah
x

 

[Mr.Pants!]

Hi Sarah,

I agree you should really only use a carrier at this point. The bergamot, jasmine and rose are all emmenagogue's which provokes menstration and contraindicated in pregnancy. Also clary sage and rosemary are also contraindicated in pregnancy. So although they are relatively safe oils to use, where pregnancy is concerned it would be better to just avoid them for the moment.

Hope this helps.

Sue

 

[anewsavd]

Thank you all for your advice. I will stick to base oil only for pregnant clients.

Asan alternative, I guess a pleasant smelling lotion could be used on the skin. It's not my favoured product for IHM but we did use a monoi lotion on our course, and I think there are some similar products sold in Body Shop. Would there be any problems using these with pregnant clients?

 

[Dennis Mitchell]

sparkie, if there are essential oils in the Body Shop product, I would avoid it. You've also got to consider that pregnant clients sense of smell can be a bit sensitive, what you consider pleasant smelling they can often find overpowering. Just stick to a plainbase oil, and make sure you let her know it is for her benefit you are using an unscentedoil, because you are concerned about essential oils.

Having said that, because she IS 37 wks, ask her if she knows what position the baby is in, if the doctor has said it's just time to wait, etc. If the baby is head down and she'd fed up with being pregnant (middle of summer is not the best time to be at the end of a pregnancy) and the doctor is OK with it all, your second blend Bergamot, Clary sage, Frankincense and Rose would actually be quite good for helping things along, if the time was right, and everything is normal. (I do a lot of pregnancy massage and from wk 37, I usually start working on all the avoid during pregnancy areas if they want me to, because they are the go into labour areas to work ) But keep some plain base oil on hand if she finds the smell too much. Make sure you have a glass of water handy for her too.

*** added ****I am a qualified aromatherapist that uses no essential oils during pregnancy unless there is a condition to treat, or to help with labour

 

[playground.love]

Many thanks Cola, that is very useful advice, and good point about sense of smell!

 

[crickeys]

Hi agree with Sue, There are some oils which are safe for use during pregnancy, but I would not personallytake the risk of introducing a pregnant client to aromatherapy, as with many other health issues new contra actions are reported everyday, something that is good for us one day is bad the next, so I would avoid aromatherapy altogether.

Other than than that, I would highly recommend IHM to pregnant ladies as a deeply relaxing treatment that can relieve many ailments of pregnancy, and is a treatment that they can actually recieve during pregnancy.

I tend to use coconut oil for a regular IHM as ithas apleasant aroma, doesnt leave a oily residue on skin, and is believed to help prevent the greying process!!! (i should have used it daily1 lol[sm=FIFangel.gif])

I hope you find this helps

Sas