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.
Want a massage with pregnancy-safe oils done for you? See our prenatal massage in Singapore, where our therapists use oils checked to be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mums.
Why oils matter in prenatal massage
Also known as essential oils, these have been used throughout history because of their many health benefits. Adding these oils to a prenatal massage can make it more powerful and help ease many conditions the expecting mother may be suffering from: swollen ankles, headaches, morning sickness and lower back pain. As a mother, you might be anxious about your pregnancy and how to cope with its demands and stresses. Massage oils have long been known to help mums through it all.
Essential oils do more than smell nice. They affect how well you relax, how deeply your muscles loosen, and how well you sleep after your massage.
Six pregnancy-safe oils we recommend
Lavender oil
Lavender is one of the best oils for prenatal massage, and the top oil for helping you sleep. Compared to other oils, it reduces anxiety, calms, and is excellent at relieving pain. It is known as a balancing, all-round oil, and is 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
Frankincense has been used in pregnancy since ancient times. It eases anxiety, helps you breathe more deeply, and helps you prepare emotionally for delivery. Many mums book sessions with frankincense in the third trimester just for the calm it brings before labour.
Ylang-ylang oil
Ylang-ylang is sweet and floral. It lowers blood pressure (helpful for stressed expecting mums), eases tension headaches, and helps you sleep well. It goes well with lavender for a very 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.