HEALTH Stretch marks and skin care in pregnancy

The essential on stretch marks


Aromatherapy
Ellen Cox

It’s official, there’s a baby boom on. The highest number of births since 1896 were recorded last year, and if my own circle of pals are any indicator – five bundles of joy have arrived in the past ten weeks! – the boom is continuing.
Aromatherapy has a very supportive role to play during pregnancy, helping to reduce anxiety, aches and pains, fluid retention and the big one brought on by bumps, stretch marks.
Firstly, though, the most important point with regard to using essential oils during pregnancy is to use them in a much lower concentration (1 per cent or less) – they may be natural, but this doesn’t mean you can lather them on. Wine is made from grapes, but it doesn’t mean you can wash down a gallon of it without ill effect. ‘Everything in moderation’, especially when pregnant. 
Another important point: It is generally recommended to use essential oils after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. At around 12 weeks, the first scan normally takes place and many women find nauseous symptoms have passed and their sense of smell, which often triggers nausea, is settling down. Essential oils have potent aromas, and like some foods, they may be too intense for some people in the first trimester.
Obviously, the skin stretches in pregnancy, but the effects of that stretching depends on the elasticity available. Every woman’s skin is different, and just like different fabrics (think of a cotton pillow case verses a cotton t-shirt) it will be affected in a different way. 
Choose a vegetable oil like sweet almond oil or avocado oil – both are high in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E and can be easily and deeply absorbed. The essential oils of neroli (orange blossom) and mandarin have a history of helping to prevent stretch marks. Neroli helps to rejuvenate cell growth (also used in the treatment of scars) and mandarin helps the skin to retain moisture and nutrients (also extremely uplifting and cheerful). Add 50 drops of essential oil to 100ml of sweet almond oil to give a 1 per cent blend. (Alternatively use Atlantic Aromatics Neroli Massage Blend, developed specifically for use in pregnancy). 
Massage the tummy area daily, always in a clockwise direction.  This can help to establish a relaxing routine at this special time. Although this is one of life’s extraordinary experiences, for many women it can be a time when worries and concerns present themselves. Finding ways to relax is extremely important. Ask a close friend to swap a hand or a foot massage – you’ll be amazed at how chilled out you can feel after a 15 minute treatment. Many massage therapists are trained in pregnancy massage, so go on, treat yourself, this is an important event.
Unfortunately some skin types are more predisposed to stretch marks than others. Also, pregnancies develop differently. I recently spoke to a lady who was using essential oils in a massage blend throughout her pregnancy. She was delighted that she showed no sign of any stretch marks. However, in the last four weeks, the baby grew rapidly and substantially, and stretch marks were unavoidable.
If you think you may be more likely to develop stretch marks (if you have a family history, for example), a good choice would be rosehip seed oil (rosa mosquetta), which is a real skin food – extremely high in essential fatty acids, especially gamma linolenic. (Alternatively, or for a more cost-effective route, combine the rosehip seed oil with Atlantic Aromatics Organic Body Oil, a three-in-one vegetable blend including apricot, macadamia and sesame).
The suggested vegetable oils mentioned here can be used directly from day one; the sooner you begin the better.
Lots of women find a soak in the tub during pregnancy extremely beneficial. Dilute five drops essential oils in a tablespoon of milk or vegetable oil before adding to the bath, light a candle and do be careful stepping in and out of the tub. 

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to know more about aromatherapy use during pregnancy, contact Ellen at living@mayonews.ie .