Pregnancy is amazing. As your baby grows, different hormones ebb and flow to enable your body to move and stretch. The only downside to this is some women experience muscular aches and pains, particularly in places like the hips and lower back. The good news is there is a natural way to soothe aches whilst bringing about a sense of deep relaxation.
Our essential oils expert, Aromatherapist Jo Kellett explains:
“Using aromatherapy from your second trimester can help relieve pregnancy aches and pains and be a great de-stressing tool. There’s one particular hormone – Relaxin – that’s produced during pregnancy (and remains in the body approximately six months after birth) which is involved with relaxing the muscles and ligaments in the body. This allows the uterus to grow as the baby develops but also softens the pelvis ready for birth. Unfortunately, Relaxin softens all the joints in the body which can lead to various muscular aches and pains.
To help this concern, make a massage oil blend and apply it to areas that are uncomfortable, like hips, neck, shoulders and lower back. Why not ask your birthing partner to massage the harder-to-reach areas?
For pain relief and relaxation
I would suggest adding the following essential oils to 25 ml of blending oil like Jojoba.”
2 drops of Chamomile (Roman) – Anthemis nobilis
1 drop of Marjoram (French) – Origanum marjorana
2 drops of Mandarin – Citrus nobilis
“You can also add this massage oil blend to a bath to lower stress levels. Add a small amount just before getting in, swirl the oil into the bathwater, lie back and inhale the relaxing aromas.”
*If you have any concerns about you or your babies’ health during pregnancy you should consult your Midwife or Obstetrician. The use of essential oils is complimentary to your well-being during your pregnancy and does not take the place of orthodox medical care*
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram
