To see a positive pregnancy test arouse a huge mix of emotions and feelings; happiness, relieves, fear, stress, anxiety, relaxation, ambivalence... - a chaos of emotions. With my first positive pregnancy test I felt like on a carousel; the ride started all of sudden and I am still riding on it.
Beside all the different feelings there are a lot of changes in the body. Most women kind of have a feeling, it just feels different and they know already before their period is overdue that they are pregnant. Other women don't feel any difference at all and again others are haunted by unpleasant physical complaints. A common and widely spreader complaint is morning sickness that can hold on during the whole day and night. It can be accompanied by vomiting, vertigo and dizziness. It may helps to eat little snacks over the whole day and it is important to try to stay hydrated. Extremely tiredness is also common. Nap as often as you can, specially if it is your first pregnancy. Due to the hormonal changes a lot of women experience lower back pain as the pelvic griddle relaxes and the breast enlarges which leads to a different body midpoint.
It takes time until your body and mind adjusts to the new situation. Essential oils can be supportive during this time of change:
Morning sickness and vomiting
Morning sickness and vomiting are really common and drug therapy is limited during pregnancy. Essential oils are a great complementary option during pregnancy.
A controlled, double blind randomized clinical trial was accomplished and showed that Lemon essential oil decreased the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting. Peppermint and Ginger are recommended for post operative nausea but do not have the same effect on nausea during pregnancy.
Vertigo and dizziness
A lot of women experience vertigo and dizziness. Rosemary is my personal number 1 for general debility, physical and mental fatigue and sluggishness. It improves the blood circulation, helps with vertigo and low blood pressure. A foot bath can do wonders!
Lower back pain and emotional support
Essential oils are great support for pain, can also balance your emotions and your hormones. There are many oils to choose from which can be used; Mandarin, Geranium, Lavender and Chamomile Roman are just a few that I list here which are great helpers during the pregnancy.
I recommend to enjoy a whole body aroma massage. It relaxes and balances your body and mind, essential oils are great for your skin and can prevent stretch marks and it stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory system.
To find your specific essential oils that support your body and mind contact a certified aromatherapist. They can help you to get the most beneficial oils for you and offer a safe use for your unborn miracle.
Essential oils can be used through the whole pregnancy. Next month I will talk about the second trimester, starting at13 weeks of pregnancy until 28 weeks of pregnancy.