Great Oils for Prenatal Massages
During pregnancy, aromatherapy and massage can be used to relieve some of the issues such as muscular aches, fatigue, and insomnia. Emotional states such as anxiety and stress can also be eased with massage oils — in fact, these oils play a major role across the trimesters.
Why oils matter in prenatal massage
Also known as essential oils, these have been used throughout history because of their numerous health benefits. The addition of these oils into a prenatal massage can result in a more powerful experience and help alleviate a host of conditions the expecting mother may be suffering from — swollen ankles, headaches, morning sickness, lower back pain. As a mother, you might be anxious about your pregnancy and how to cope with the demanding stresses; massage oils have long been known to help mums throughout.
Essential oils don’t just smell pleasant — they actively shape the relaxation response, the depth of muscle release, and the sleep that follows your massage.
Six pregnancy-safe oils we recommend
Lavender oil
As the ultimate sleep-inducing oil, lavender is one of the best oils for prenatal massage. Compared to other oils, it reduces anxiety, calms, and is excellent at relieving pain. Known as a balancing oil and an all-rounder — one worth trying when you are pregnant.
Ginger oil
Ginger is warm and spicy. It serves well as an analgesic and a natural anti-inflammatory. Use it to relieve pain and aches during pregnancy — particularly the heavy, end-of-day muscular soreness in your shoulders, lower back, and calves.
Sunflower oil
Unlike other oils, sunflower oil is light, non-greasy, and rich in linoleic and stearic acid — key components of healthy skin. Since it absorbs into the skin fast, it’s perhaps the right oil to use for prenatal massage. It also keeps the skin supple as your bump grows.
Grapefruit oil
Grapefruit prenatal massage oil does not pose any risk when exposed to the sun (unlike most citrus oils). It oxidises quickly, however, so it should be used soon after opening. A fresh, uplifting scent — excellent for morning sickness or low energy.
Frankincense oil
An ancient pregnancy ally, frankincense soothes anxiety, supports deeper breathing, and helps prepare emotionally for delivery. Many mums book sessions with frankincense in the third trimester specifically for the calm it brings ahead of labour.
Ylang-ylang oil
Sweet and floral, ylang-ylang lowers blood pressure (helpful for stressed expecting mums), eases tension headaches, and supports restful sleep. It pairs beautifully with lavender for a deeply calming evening massage routine.
Oils to avoid during pregnancy
Not every essential oil is pregnancy-safe. Avoid clary sage, rosemary, juniper, basil, jasmine, peppermint at strong concentration, and pennyroyal — these can stimulate uterine contractions or cross the placental barrier in ways we’d rather not risk. At BMB, all oils used in our prenatal sessions are checked against your trimester on the day — bring up any allergies or sensitivities with your therapist before the massage begins.
How we use oils at BMB
Our prenatal massage therapists choose the oil blend based on your trimester, the issues you’re experiencing, and your scent preferences. A first-trimester mum struggling with morning sickness will get a different blend (grapefruit, ginger, gentle lavender) than a third-trimester mum dealing with swollen ankles and trouble sleeping (lavender, ylang-ylang, frankincense). Each session is tailored, screened for safety, and finishes with a recommendation for your home routine if you’d like to continue between visits.