Questions from a pregnant massage therapist.

[Santa In Your Panties]

Hi All

I am 12 weeks pregnant and a mobile massage therapist. I have only been using grapeseed and nut oils since if found out, but wondered what people thought about using lavender, chamomile, tea tree and some ofthe other less harmfull essential oils in v. low dilution(or pre mixed e.g. relaxing/invigorating etc).

I am not a qualified aromatherapist but have worked with oilsfor myself, family and friends for a number of years (I do not use essential oils for any of my official 'clients').

I regularly treat my sister who loves using lavendar and geranium in small dilution, but I haven't been able to use this for a while.

What are your thoughts? Should I stay completely away from all oilsor now I've hit the 3 month mark would it be safe?

Also - how long did all you other therapists work up to? I'm hoping to work as long as possible but would be interested to hear from others.

Thanks,
Mandy
XX

 

[Alubyelef]

Congratualtions

**** climbs up on soapbox ****

You as the therapist absorb a lot of the oils through your hands. I think you need to be cautious about anything that can get into the blood stream and thence the placenta/amniotic sack. Anything that does get into the amniotic sack tends to stay there and may be reabsorbed, unlike people that can excrete the essential oils and their by products out though kidneys/liver/lungs/skin and the EOs are gone. This applies to cleaning products, filling the car up with petrol, walking down the street in traffic- it all adds up to a chemical load on the baby. I really don't care about studies that say this or that or all essential oilsare safe in pregnancy, it's the total chemical load to be concerned about (and essential oils are chemicals). If you can avoid some exposure by not using essential oils, I recommend avoiding the exposure.

I am a qualified aromatherapists, I do know all the safe oils, and more to the point, the unsafe oils, but I don't use essential oils on pregnant clients unless these is a condition that needs to be treated, and I will only use them while needed, rather than a preventative measure during pregnancy. Pregnancy is not a 'condition' that needs to be treated. For the pregnant therapists, minimising repeated exposure to chemical compounds is a good idea, and essential oils are chemical compounds. So many children have chemical sensitivities these days, I see more and more people who are sensitive to lavender due to over exposure. 'Safe to use during pregnancy' almost always means 'does not cause miscarriages' rather than 'does not have long term effects on the child', by long term I mean fertility issues later, strange liver tumours etc, there just aren't those type of 'safe to use during pregnany' studies done. 'Safe to use during pregancy' also refers to the occassional exposure a client can get having a treatment every so often - not repeated exposure like the therapists encounters if using essential oils all day.

**** climbs down off soapbox ****

Now since you've said you don't use essential oils on clients, and only family and friends, your exposure probably isn't that much (depends on how many friends and family you treat), I'd still avoid essential oils unless you really needed to use them, I am sure your friends and family will understand.

How long you work seems to be a very individual issue, some women work right up to delivery, though with reduced hours, one or 2 clientsper day rather than 4-6.Some lower their table and work on a stool rolling around the table and develop a whole new method of working without having to stand up or rach across much.Some just find working around the belly too much to cope with and stop much earlier, it really is on a case by case basis, the important thing is listen to your body. Some people find they can't work much during the 1st trimester due to morning sickness and work all the way through 2nd and 3rd, some can't work during the 2nd trimester. I think your challenge will be more to do with how long you can lug the table around, lifting it in and out of the car - again a very individual thing. Listen to your body! You've also got to consider yourbalance - winter, slippery surfaces, you, a belly and a table......

 

[marizel]

Hi Cola

Thank you so much for your advice on this. I totally agree with you re: the 'chemical' issues and I will be avoiding essential oils for family and friends (it's very easy to keep thinking about their needs and forget that I'm thinking for 2 now!). They are all very happy to be having massages at all a lot of the time.

Also I have found it quite difficult during this first trimester as I've had a fair bit of sickness and slightly low blood pressure. It's not actually a problem performing the massages - but as you say getting the table in and out of the car and driving in the evening has definately tired me out.

I am starting to feel a lot better now (hopefully about to enter my 'blooming' period!) so I intend to work for as long as I can comfortably do so.

Thanks again for all your words of wisdom - they are much appreciated.

Mandy
XX