WEEK 16 – ESSENTIAL OILS & BYRON GOODNESS

Weekly Baby News

Baby size is similar to last week for length however baby’s weight will be increasing. The size is said to be similar to an avocado, however will double its weight and size in the next 3 weeks. The baby is becoming more and more proportioned with the head still at 1/3 of the size. Vocal cords are now formed and the initial sucking reflex has begun.

Pain in the sides of your body may come and go with your ligaments releasing as your uterus and pelvic walls are expanding with growth. For this pain I’ve been using magnesium oil to relax and make this expanding easier for my body to adapt to, plus reduce the discomfort.

Naturopathic Advice

Essential Oils for Pregnancy

My very first course I studied (well after the hospitality stuff in high school) was my Diploma of Aromatherapy. I love essential oils and still use them frequently for personal use and for my clients. I have one client actually who only responds to essential oils, which is fun as it takes me back to many moons ago when that is all I use to treat with, prior to my naturopathy degree.

It is advised that essential oils are to be avoided in the first trimester due to the crucial development phases of the baby’s growth. Not to mention the strong smells are quite difficult to handle regardless, if you have that sensitive nose like I did in trimester 1. From the second trimester though essential oils are great to utilise for different conditions that may arise and also to continue post-natal to assist baby and you to relax and sleep, or help fight off nasty bugs. Essential oils also make a great alternative to the nasty chemical perfumes that are best to be avoided during pregnancy.

My favourite combination of essential oils are Bergamot, Geranium, Sweet Orange and Clary Sage. Clary Sage is not to be used until labour. I will go through essential oils for labour, as we get closer to the due date. Please note essential oils should NOT be taken internally, therefore only to be applied topically or inhaled.

• Bergamot benefits: pain relieving, anti-depressant, calming on the stomach/digestion if discomfort is present, sedative on the nervous system and uplifting. Also great for anxiety, respiratory infections and to refresh you from pregnancy symptoms.

• Geranium benefits: anti-depressant, antiseptic, deodorant. Geranium is known as the almighty ‘Balancer’. Especially helpful to calm the nervous system, relieve anxiety, depression and lifts the spirits. Also great for fluid retention and helps to regulate sebum of the skin

• Sweet Orange benefits: Main uses are soothing on digestion, reduce cramping and pain and alleviate constipation. It is also uplifting for the nervous system, helping you to become cheerful, happy and helps you unwind to feel harmonised. I have always called Sweet Orange the ‘Give a hug’ oil, and whenever the need for a hug I’d pull out this oil.

Safe Oils for Pregnancy from Trimester 2: Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Sweet Orange, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang

Oils to Avoid in Pregnancy: Basil, Camphor, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Fennel, Juniper berry, Nutmeg, Origanum, Pine, Wintergreen

My Journey

Busy week this week! I finished my pre-natal pregnancy yoga training. As mentioned last week it was beautiful to be surrounded by the pregnancy/baby holistic goodness. My teachers were 2 amazing souls (Star & Caroline) who are truly inspiring beings that helped build my empowerment not only as a yoga instructor but also as a mum-to-be and woman. It was so enjoyable to meet women from all over Australia who were on their own journey through womanhood, and interesting how life affects us all differently, it was purely blissful to be around like-minded beings. The topics and conversations around our vegan organic lunches were whole-hearted and came from a place of compassion rather than competition or ego, so much gratitude to these fellow yoginis for this empowering raw weekend, such food for the soul.

Check out the links below to the pages of the beautiful inspiring women who delivered my training.

Divine Star

Shakti Mum

During my yoga training, plus at numerous other times this week, I experienced nose bleeds like never before. Pregnancy increases the dilation of your blood vessels plus together with the increase in blood supply, can result in increased instances of nosebleeds.  Drying out of your nasal lining (perhaps from air-con) may also contribute. I am usually only prone to nose bleeds when I’m super stressed or over-heated. Luckily it was only for the week this time and they have seemed to stop now, so shall see if they come back or not.

I finally got back to my restorative yoga class this week that was heaven!! It was however interesting as it brought up emotions and I had a flow of tears in Savasana and when sitting up in prayer position, that I couldn’t control (have to love yoga for these uncontrolled unexpected emotional moments). After my weekend at a pregnancy yoga course you would think I would have been super dooper mindful of the certain ways of my practice and changing body, especially due to have missed a few weeks of this class. But instead I chose to ignore my intuition that spoke up a few times. This resulting in me pushing too far in twists and my abdominal muscles were aching for a few days. In pre-natal yoga open gentle twists are mainly used to ensure no straining of the abdominals, as they are already going through enough changes with the expanding stomach. It wasn’t too bad but enough for me to realise my mistake and to take it easier next time. I helped reduce the pain with spraying magnesium oil onto my abdomen each day. (I use Amazing Oils magnesium oil).

This week I also started my Personal Training sessions with Naomi. Her experience is motivating and she is also a wellness coach and mum. I find these sessions useful, not only for the PT side of things to keep my body healthy and strong, but also speaking to someone that has been through pregnancy and can offer support and help me find clarity in the choices that are upon me. When pregnant for the first time I feel any extra support and knowledge is super important. The session was perfect, just enough of challenge without me hating on exercise haha. Staying reasonably fit through pregnancy helps lessen the time of labour and assist recovery, plus I wanted a specially designed program to keep me in shape that suited my body and pregnancy, so I also don’t loose muscle tone and strength. I felt awesome and super pumped afterwards, plus excited that I was looking after myself in as many different ways that I could. I’m looking forward to next week when we help build my guns (arms) so I’m ready for the baby carrying to come haha.

Finally this week there were more moments when I felt my stomach was getting a good noticeablebaby bump happening. One moment was surfing at Wategos at Byron, for the first time when paddling it was uncomfortable due to my tummy bump. Wategos was the first place I ever stood up on a surfboard so it is super special to me there, and I was stoked to have had a fun surf with baby on board, for maybe one of my last paddles until post-natal, change to the paddle-board for me.

I posted this picture of me on the beach as was super proud to show off my bump. Only for everyone to  ask ‘where, aren’t you just bloated?’ thanks guys haha. But any growth is growth and exciting so I’m super happy with my pregnancy bump or as one of my best friends calls it Lahbump! #lahbump

Yours in Health

Talita Sheedy