Fatty acids are the basic building blocks of fats and oils. Essential fatty acids are a component of dietary fat vital to physiological function. Because the body cannot make them, it is essential that they be obtained through dietary sources.

Base Oils

Essential fatty acids have a significant effect on every system in the body and we cannot survive without them. They:

• help build and produce healthy cells, tissues and organs
• support proper thyroid and adrenal activity required for growth and energy
• are crucial to brain and nerve development and function
• improve cardiovascular function by keeping the arteries supple and lowering blood pressure
• aid digestion
• bolster immunity and assist in the removal of toxins from the body
• improve the health and function of the skin and hair
• are crucial in the breakdown and transport of cholesterol

Skin disorders, including eczema and dry or scaly skin, dry hair, hair loss, nail problems, gall stones, liver problems, varicose veins, susceptibility to infection, low body weight, infertility and retarded growth may indicate a deficiency in essential fatty acids.

There are two main categories of essential fatty acids based on their chemical structures:

• Omega-3 also known as alpha linolenic acid
• Omega-6 also known as linoleic acid

Note the subtle spelling difference between ‘linolenic’ and ‘linoleic". Occasionally essential fatty acids (EFAs)are referred to as vitamin F or polyunsaturates.

Compresses

The essential fatty acids play an integral role preconception, pregnancy, labour and postpartum. They are crucial:

• in the production of prostaglandins
• for the healthy development and function of your baby’s brain
• in decreasing the likelihood of premature birth and its associated
  problems
• in reducing the incidence of low birth weight babies
• in treating the condition pre-eclampsia

Inhalation

EFAs are converted to prostaglandins, a group of fatty acids made naturally in the body that act as chemical messengers (hormones). There are many different prostaglandins thought to play a role in the regulation and function of every organ and cell in the human body.

During pregnancy, prostaglandins play an integral role in stimulating and maintaining hormonal levels necessary for successful conception, pregnancy, labour and postpartum. For example, during labour, it is the release of prostaglandins that stimulate the release of oxytocin and help soften the connective tissue of the cervix in preparation for birth.

Room Spray

EFAs assist in the transmission of nerve impulses and are vital for normal development and functioning of your baby’s brain. Deficiency is linked to an impaired ability to learn and recall information.An omega-3 fatty acid called DHA (Docohexaenoic acid) found in high concentrations in brain tissue, is believed to be essential to brain development and growth, ultimately affecting learning ability.

The vast majority of human brain growth occurs in the womb - especially during the third trimester - and immediately following birth. In fact as much as 50% of the brain’s DHA is formed during foetal development and the remaining 50% accumulates in the following first year or so. It is important, therefore, that the growing foetus has an adequate supply via the pregnant mother’s diet.

Furthermore, because it is thought that an infant has very little or no enzymatic capability to make its own DHA, it is important that the EFAs are provided through diet, ideally via breastfeeding. This is especially relevant in cases of pre-term or low birth weight babies.

Oil Burner

A recent American study found that disturbed sleep patterns of infants may indicate that the baby’s central nervous system has not fully developed as a result of a deficiency in EFAs. The study found that babies born to mothers with adequate intakes of essential fatty acids, had more mature sleep patterns with less transitional sleep - the time between sleep and wakefulness.

Aromatic Bath

Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure, oedema (swelling due to fluid retention) and an excess of protein in the urine. The cause is not known. Untreated it can progress to a more serious condition called eclampsia.

The EFAs are recommended in the treatment of pre-eclampsia as they help improve circulation, lower blood pressure and thin the blood. Caution: if you have blood-clotting problems a supplement including the EFAs is contra-indicative.

Related posts:

1. Essential Fatty Acid
2. Essential Oils for Babies
3. Oils to Avoid

Caution

The following is a list of oils universally accepted as being UNSUITABLE for use during pregnancy:

• Aniseed
• Clove
• Juniper
• Basil
• Clary sage
• Cypress
• Fennel
• Hyssop
• Jasmine (use from 36th week)
• Melissa (use from 36th week)
• Marjoram
• Myrrh
• Cinnamon
• Pennyroyal
• Peppermint
• Rose
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Pine
• Parsley
• Camphor
• Tarragon
• Thyme
• Wintergreen

Self Help

Always carry out an allergy test by placing one drop of oil in a teaspoon of water and rub into the arm near the elbow. Wait for two hours. If irritation occurs, find an alternative oil. The same test can be carried out with any base oil although there is no need to dilute first.

It is best to avoid all essential oils during the first trimester. Store all oils in a dark-coloured bottle protected from heat or sunlight. Do not use essential oils neat on the skin, except for lavender. Dilute in a carrier or base oil or in water.

Related posts:

1. Essential Oils for Babies
2. Using Essential Oils
3. Other Risks to Avoid

A combination of jasmine, rose and neroli will help post partum recovery. Jasmine encourages “involution” or contraction of the uterus and rose helps soothe muscle trauma and balances the hormones. Neroli is uplifting, refreshing and balancing for the nervous system. All three are safe for use while breastfeeding.
Chammomile is a relaxing oil with anti-inflammatory qualities. Perfect for post partum recovery, it is useful for stress, headaches, insomnia and aching muscles. It is safe to use while breastfeeding.
Lavender is ideal as a compress for episiotomy, tears or Caesarean scarring.

Blend for scarring

If you have had a caesarean, apply the following blend daily to the healing scar:

• 20 ml sweet almond oil
• 5 ml wheatgerm oil
• One capsule vitamin E oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil

Related posts:

1. Post Partum Recovery
2. Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Labour
3. Aromatherapy for Preconception

Pregnancy

Neroli

Extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, the sweet fragrance of neroli is uplifting and useful in treating anxiety, mood swings, tension and insomnia. It is also used to prevent stretchmarks and other skin problems.

Mandarin

Mandarin is a refreshing and gentle oil and can help constipation, heartburn, fatigue and insomnia. Blend with neroli or lavender.

Lavender

Lavender blends well with most essential oils and is favoured for its antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal and calming properties. It is used for depression, insomnia, skin problems, headaches and to soothe aches and pains. One drop on a pillow at night will help you sleep. Lavender differs from the other essential oils in that it can be applied neat to the skin. It soothes the itchiness and reduces swelling of insect bites. The healing effect that lavender has on burns has to be seen to be believed. It immediately soothes the pain and within days, the burn heals with no scarring.

Stretchmark Blend

You or your aromatherapist can mix a blend specifically for stretchmarks. Apply this daily at home from 16 weeks onwards. Massage the abdomen gently using clockwise circular movements moving down to the hips and buttocks.
Recipe for home blend (one application):

• 5 mls base oil (almond/grapeseed/coconut)
• 1 capsule vitamin E oil
• 1 drop neroli essential oil
• 1 drop mandarin essential oil

Labour

Jasmine

Jasmine is noted for its properties in preparing the uterine muscles for labour. AVOID using jasmine during the first eight months of pregnancy then use daily as a massage oil on the abdomen and lower back. In the delivery room it will help to promote focus and strength.
Whereas rose is regarded as the queen of aromatherapy oil, jasmine is the king. The oil is extracted from millions of tiny flowers hand-picked before dawn.

Labour Blend

• 50 ml base oil (grapeseed/sweet almond/coconut)
• 2 drops jasmine essential oil
• 2 drops rose essential oil
• 2 drops neroli essential oil

Related posts:

1. Aromatherapy for Recovery from Labour
2. Aromatherapy as a Healing Tool
3. Aromatherapy for Preconception

Geranium

Geranium is uplifting, sweet floral oil and has a calming action on the nervous system. Often used in treating infertility, geranium is used in preconception care to balance hormones and encourage elimination of toxins.

Rose

A good quality rose oil is nurturing, balancing and soothing. It blends well with geranium in preparation for pregnancy. Only one drop of rose is needed, as it is extremely potent and expensive. Extracting the oil from the rose petals is an intricate process and several flowers are needed to produce a small amount.

Juniper

Juniper helps menstrual problems, cramps, fluid retention, circulation and cellulite. It is an energising oil and blends well with geranium and grapefruit for a detoxifying blend.

Grapefruit

This citrus oil tones the skin, helps eliminate excess fluid, detoxifies the liver and boosts the immune system. Blend with juniper and geranium.

Detox Blend

Add to100 ml grapeseed, coconut or sweet almond base oil the following essential oils:

• 3 drops geranium
• 2 drops juniper
• 3 drops grapefruit

Related posts:

1. Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Labour
2. Aromatherapy for Recovery from Labour
3. Aromatherapy as a Healing Tool

Aromatherapy uses essential oils as a healing tool. These oils are extracted from the flowers, roots, leaves, bark, seeds and fruit of plants. They possess distinctive therapeutic properties to improve health and prevent disease, both physiologically and psychologically.

Olfactory

Aromatherapy works through olfactory stimulation, the sense of smell, to directly affect the limbic system that controls emotions. It is one of the oldest known therapies, dating back six thousand years to ancient Egypt and India.

As a precautionary measure it is best to avoid all essential oils during the first trimester. This is because the body is adjusting to several changes and may be highly sensitive. These three oils have proven to be safe for use on the body throughout the remainder of your pregnancy:

• Neroli
• Mandarin
• Lavender

Many oils that are best avoided during the first eight months of pregnancy due to a possible risk of miscarriage are useful in the last month of pregnancy as preparation for labour. Among these are jasmine and geranium and rose.

It is worth noting that jasmine; neroli, chammomile, rose and geranium are potent oils with rich aromas that should be used in small quantities. One or two drops will usually suffice

Application

Aromatherapy can be applied via massage, compresses, inhalation, bathing, oil burner or room spray. Always inform an aromatherapist of your pregnancy when booking an appointment.

Related posts:

1. Aromatherapy for Preconception
2. Aromatherapy for Pregnancy and Labour
3. Aromatherapy for Recovery from Labour