Gentle birth method practitioner, naturopathic nutritionist and clinical aromatherapist, Sara Cosendai explains some of the ways to use essential oils to support you through your pregnancy journey. Read on for Sara’s tips on how you can care for your body during this time.
Pregnancy is both magical and challenging during this time. Many of you are used to classes and treatments at triyoga guiding you through new territory as part of a community. During the current situation there is a different approach for your support system – we are still here, just in virtual form with our online treatments. Below are a few nurturing suggestions for you and your baby to keep you feeling both physically and mentally happy.
Essential oils
Sense of smell has a powerful effect on your state of mind and clinical grade oils work remedially on your physical wellbeing. I usually recommend diffusing oils during your yoga or self hypnosis practice – this helps to create positive memories in your limbic system that are triggered whenever you smell a particular aromatic oil. Who doesn’t need a bit of extra help at the moment?
I recommend wild or organic oils when possible – as well as diffusing, you can add a couple of drops to your pregnancy oil or mix with a tspn of coconut oil and add to your bath. Here are a few brief uses and benefits of some pregnancy friendly oils:
Highland lavender (lavandula angustifolia) – There have been clinical trials into diffusing lavender and how it eases anxiety and promotes sleep. It is also known to support bronchial infections when diffused and acts as an anti-spasmodic when massaged into local areas, i.e. shoulders and lower back.
Mandarin (citrus reculata) – Known for uplifting the mood and spirit – added to pregnancy oil some genus of mandarin help to support the skin with stretch marks.
Lemon (citrus limon) – Helpful to inhale or diffuse during moments of nausea – there have been clinical trials into its efficacy supporting some forms of pregnancy nausea. In addition, it acts as a potent anti-viral and works wells diffused with lavender. When working from home it helps to focus the mind.
Sweet orange (citrus sinesis) – a helpful pregnancy safe topical digestive support, useful for stressed tummies – add 1-2 drops in some pregnancy oil and massage clockwise into your belly. Like most of the citrus oils it assists people to uplift, relax and unwind.
*as with all essential oils do a small 24hr patch test prior to full usage.
Abhyanga: ayurvedic self-massage
Ayurvedic philosophy is used as part of the Gentle Birth Method. Giving loving touch to the skin, your largest organ, has a huge impact on the nervous system and in turn your endocrine system. Simply massaging your skin helps to stimulate the release of happy hormones, this supports your nervous system and baby’s too.
*Be careful with oily feet; wear socks after oiling!
This process can take 5-30 minutes depending on the time you have. This ritual can be performed in the morning to energise you for the day ahead, or evening after a hot bath to relax you before bed. Make sure your strokes are slow and gentle, integrating long strokes on the limbs and circular strokes around the joints.
Traditionally warmed ripened sesame oil is used, but you can use your pregnancy oil or whatever oil you have at home. Lightly warm a bottle or small bowl of oil in a container of hot water before using, lay down a towel to sit or stand on before beginning.
1. Begin with massaging the soles of your feet and each toe individually. Carefully covering the bottoms and tops of the feet- this is where many nerve endings end so is soothing for the nervous system.
2. Next, move up the legs in long, slow strokes.
3. Move up to the sacrum, back and belly, spending time moving clockwise in a circular motion around the navel to follow eliminatory tract (colon).
4. Lightly work around the chest, moving down to the arms and hands. Spend time on each finger.
5. Finish with the shoulders, neck and face, working on the ears and gently rubbing fingertips into the scalp to stimulate circulation. Give a little extra time and attention to the scalp at least one day a week when you can allow the oil to soak in before washing the hair.
A detailed health history is taken during your first appointment. You will be asked about areas of focus you would like to address for your pregnancy. A personalised health plan with recommendations for dietary, supplement and lifestyle is emailed within 48 hrs after consultation.
Sara began working in natural health over 15 years ago. She has worked and trained with Dr. Gowri Motha of the Gentle Birth Method and at St John’s Wood Viveka Centre, founded by Obstetrician Dr Yehudi Gordon, which was attached to the pioneering birth unit of the St John and Elizabeth hospital. Alongside being a Gentle Birth Method practitioner she is also a Naturopathic Nutritionist(NTDip)(mBant) (mCNHC) a Clinical Aromatherapist and has trained as a doula with Dr Michel Odent and with Gurmukh, of Golden Bridge Yoga L.A, as a prenatal yoga teacher and Kundalini yoga teacher. She weaves this together for a multi-faceted approach.
