stressing out about essential oils!

[prone_to_wander]

Ladies can you please help me out. I am completely strung out about essentail oils right now. Can you talk me down/reassure me? Does anyone else use the following oils?

I'm 25 weeks. And I'm in Thailand for a vacation.

I got a massage on the beach yesterday and realized half way through the massage that the oil has fragrance, so I asked what it was...it was Jasmine. Which I'm not supposed to use.... at all! So As soon as she was done, I ran out into the ocean and had a rinse and then had a shower when I got back to the hotel.

Then today I put on my mosquito spray that I specifically bought so I could avoid using DEET and then realize that it has citronella, cedar oil, lemon grass and peppermint oil in it!!!

So I went to the resturant bathroom and washed it off.

The bugs don't seem so bad, but I obviously need to be careful of mosquitos.

Now I'm not feeling super unwell and I'm really upset (which isn't helping matters). How dangerous is all of this for my baby? Is this as serious as I think it is? and Is there something I should be looking for? I mean they said Jasmine oil could cause miscarriage!

Baby has been moving a LOT lately. But I don't have anyother issues no blood or discharge. Just tonight, My upper abdomen hurts, but really that could be eating too much/upset and worried about this essetial oils problem. Can ya'll talk me down. Please!!!!

[RedOakMomma]

I really doubt essential oils, rubbed on your SKIN in a healthy mid-pregnancy, are going to have ANY effect on your pregnancy. That's expecting too much of essential oils!

For what it's worth, I used large amounts of the bug spray you're talking about in two of my pregnancies, with absolutely no problem. A little citronella oil (not to mention the others) is FINE compared with the very real chance of getting mosquito-borne illnesses. Obviously you should be smart about when you're out and about (avoding peak times for disease-carrying mosquitos), but be smart and realistic about your risks---use the spray.

[beachlover]

I've never used the Jasmine, but I've used a more natural bug spray while pregnant that I know had at least the citronella in it.

I'm sure all will be well.

[mamaof5boys]

Originally Posted by prone_to_wander

Ladies can you please help me out. I am completely strung out about essentail oils right now. Can you talk me down/reassure me? Does anyone else use the following oils?

I'm 25 weeks. And I'm in Thailand for a vacation.

I got a massage on the beach yesterday and realized half way through the massage that the oil has fragrance, so I asked what it was...it was Jasmine. Which I'm not supposed to use.... at all! So As soon as she was done, I ran out into the ocean and had a rinse and then had a shower when I got back to the hotel.

Then today I put on my mosquito spray that I specifically bought so I could avoid using DEET and then realize that it has citronella, cedar oil, lemon grass and peppermint oil in it!!!

So I went to the resturant bathroom and washed it off.

The bugs don't seem so bad, but I obviously need to be careful of mosquitos.

Now I'm not feeling super unwell and I'm really upset (which isn't helping matters). How dangerous is all of this for my baby? Is this as serious as I think it is? and Is there something I should be looking for? I mean they said Jasmine oil could cause miscarriage!

Baby has been moving a LOT lately. But I don't have anyother issues no blood or discharge. Just tonight, My upper abdomen hurts, but really that could be eating too much/upset and worried about this essetial oils problem. Can ya'll talk me down. Please!!!!

I looked up these single oils in the fourth edition of the Essential Oils Desk Reference. Here's the info:

Jasmine- nothing stated under safety info
lemon grass and peppermint- generally regarded as safe
cedar- nothing stated
citronella- use caution during pregnancy

I'm not a certified aromatherapist, but based on this data I personally wouldn't worry about the oils you used- and I'm very cautious during pregnancy. Everything was diluted. When you place an oil directly on the skin undiluted, only approx 50% of the compounds are absorbed.

[Gingercat]

Jasmine essential oil is so pricey that I bet that the one used in your massage was very diluted (usually you get 5% or 10% dilution); not to worry at all (too bad that the precious jasmine was washed off in the ocean ).

Here's another relevant threat that you might want to take a look: essential oils and pregnancy

I'm pregnant as well (23 weeks) with my second baby and I find that one of the great pleasures of pregnancy is using Essential Oils for just about everything; currently I'm treating a YI with TTO and calendula, using all natural skin-care products with EO, cleaning the house with home-made non-toxic cleaners based on EO and even diffusing EO all day long to lift-up my spirits. I'd be more concerned with medications, chemical-based skin care products and toxic cleaners than EO!

[prone_to_wander]

Oh thank you everyone! I was getting all up in my head and it was just making things worse. I'm usually able to find some things to help me think my way out of a dilemna like this but this time, my worrying got the best of me.

I think I'll pick up some lovely pure coconut oil and get them to use that when I go get a massage. I'm never quite sure what kind of oil/scent they are using but they are always very concerned about pregnant women, so if I say I need to use this specific product for the baby, I doubt I'd have anyone blink an eye.

Also, I went out and got these citronella patches for bug control, that don't actually have to touch my skin.

Thank you again. I'm much more relaxed. Now to go have another massage on the beach!

[dannic]

Many eo's are at least partially synthetic. Even if it's a pure grade, chances are you're okay. My MW rec's using eo's during preg, except clary sage, but even then, clary sage has never been implicated in a negative outcome durig preg. (according to my eo text book). I have eo's and would use them all if I could tolerate any smells right now. I am using frankencense to ward off depression.
I think you and your baby should be fine. Sometimes it's hard to figure it all out. (esp with preg emotions involved)
Enjoy the beach!