1. PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY
Welcome to this Essential Wellness Education presentation on Pregnancy.
PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY

2. Talking to your doctor
Today, I wanted to address a topic that many people have questions about. That topic is the use of essential oils during pregnancy. For most women, many essential oils are an appropriate and safe option during pregnancy. dōTERRA® has always taken a conservative stance on the use of our products during pregnancy. Clinical studies addressing the safety of essential oils during pregnancy are scarce due to the ethical problems with testing substances on pregnant mothers and their fetuses. For this reason, we primarily rely on history of safe use.
It should be noted, however, that during pregnancy it is not uncommon for a woman’s body to be particularly sensitive to essential oils. Because of this increased sensitivity, it’s very important that a pregnant woman consult with her doctor before beginning the use of any product. Further safety can be achieved by modifying usage regimens to compensate for increased sensitivity during pregnancy. Even if a pregnant woman has used our products without any incident, she should still inform her doctor of the products she uses. This information can be important as your physician considers various treatment plans.
Because each pregnancy is different, an expectant mother’s doctor can help determine which essential oils are best to use in the context of her pregnancy.

3. Nutrition
When it comes to pregnancy, there are few things as important as proper nutrition. Proper fetal development relies in huge part on adequate nutritional status in the mother. Eating a balanced diet that incorporates healthy whole foods as well as a good balance of macronutrients, namely carbs, fats, and protein, can help promote good nutritional status.
However, due to increased nutritional needs during pregnancy that exceed normal bodily needs, multivitamins or prenatal vitamins are often recommended by healthcare practitioners.
While not designed as a prenatal vitamin, dōTERRA® Microplex VMz® Food Nutrient Complex is a food nutrient formula of bioavailable vitamins and minerals that are deficient in our modern diets. The formula includes a balanced blend of essential antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, and an energy complex of B vitamins presented in a patented glycoprotein matrix. Microplex VMz also contains chelated minerals including calcium, magnesium, and zinc for optimal bone and metabolic health.* Microplex VMz contains the dōTERRA tummy tamer botanical blend of Peppermint, Ginger, and Caraway to calm the stomach for those who may have experienced stomach upset with other vitamin and mineral products.* This food nutrient supplement is an excellent place to start when considering addressing nutritional needs.
Because maternal needs for folate, iron, and other nutrients are much higher than normal bodily needs, additional supplementation is likely to be necessary. As with all supplements taken during pregnancy, please consult with your healthcare provider to determine your specific dietary needs in each pregnancy.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

4. Nutrition
In addition to the core nutrients provided by dōTERRA Microplex VMz®, maternal needs for calcium and other nutrients essential to bone health are also elevated. Scientists agree that adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. dōTERRA Women Bone Nutrient Essential Complex is a blend of vitamins and minerals that are essential for women’s bone health beginning in adolescence and continuing through menopause.* Bone Nutrient Essential Complex is formulated with bioavailable forms of natural nutrients that include vitamins C and D, plus calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals that support healthy bone density as a woman ages.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

5. Nausea
Pregnancy causes a number of physiological adaptations that differ slightly in every pregnancy. However, one of the most common adaptations, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, is morning sickness. The term “morning sickness” can be misleading as it is not confined solely to the morning hours, but can also affect ordinary feelings of nausea or discomfort later in the day. Fortunately, there are essential oils that can help with these normal feelings of nausea.
dōTERRA DigestZen® essential oil blend and DigestZen softgels were formulated specifically to support digestion, sooth stomach upset, and maintain overall digestive health.* Known as dōTERRA’s “tummy tamer” blend, this unique blend contains Ginger, Fennel, and Coriander to help ease occasional stomach discomfort.* DigestZen is a healthy, natural, and gentle way to soothe an upset stomach and is great to have on hand during pregnancy.*
To use DigestZen, add a drop or two to water to take internally or rub on the stomach (or soles of the feet) for a calming aroma as needed. DigestZen softgels are designed to be taken internally and offer all the benefits of the oil blend. Each softgel contains two drops of the essential oil blend for convenience and consistency.
For severe morning sickness, see your healthcare provider for further direction.

6. dōTERRA Essential Oils
Aside from the DigestZen® essential oil blend, there are also a number of single essential oils that can also help alleviate occasional feelings of stomach discomfort.*
Cardamom and Peppermint, used throughout the culinary world for their tantalizing taste and aroma, can both help alleviate occasional stomach upset when taken in a Veggie Cap or in water. Ginger can also be particularly useful because it may help reduce occasional nausea.* Spearmint offers many of the same benefits that Peppermint does, but is chemically very different from Peppermint, making it a milder option to use, especially when sensitivity is an issue as it often is during pregnancy.*
All of the essential oils mentioned in this slide can be used powerfully in an internal use model. They can be taken by adding 1–2 drops to a glass of water or in a Veggie Cap. They can also be added to shakes or food for internal use.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

7. dōTERRA DigestTab
As part of changes in her body, a woman is likely to experience occasional heartburn during pregnancy. DigestTab® is a calcium carbonate tablet infused with DigestZen® Digestive Blend to deliver the benefits of digestion-supportive essential oils as well as the acid-neutralizing benefits of calcium carbonate.* Calcium carbonate, which comes from natural mineral sources, helps maintain stomach acid balance by neutralizing excess acid in the stomach.* This helps relieve the discomfort caused by occasional acidity such as heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence.* The specially designed calcium carbonate in DigestTab is less chalky than many similar products on the market and much easier to chew and swallow.
DigestTab can be taken with or between meals as needed for relief from occasional stomach upset and heartburn. Tablets can also be taken before and after eating problem foods (as many women find certain foods are more likely to provoke heartburn).
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

8. Sleep
When pregnant, good sleep can sometimes feel elusive. Part of this is due to the discomforts that come as the fetus increases in size. However, even with the discomforts of pregnancy, a calm, relaxed state can often help improve a woman’s sleeping routine. When used aromatically, blends such as dōTERRA Balance®, dōTERRA Breathe®, and dōTERRA Serenity®, as well as single oils such as Clary Sage, Dill, Lavender, and Sandalwood, promote feelings of calmness and can help create an ideal environment for achieving a good night’s rest. They can also be applied to the feet topically or used internally, if appropriate. Try placing a few drops on your blankets or pillows. Diffuse for 30 minutes before going to bed, or while going through your nightly routine. One or two drops of Lavender in a cup of hot water makes a relaxing tea that may help you at bedtime.*

9. Restful Complex Softgels
dōTERRA Serenity™
Restful Complex Softgels
Let’s also talk for a moment about dōTERRA Serenity™ Restful Complex Softgels. The Serenity Restful Complex is a unique combination of Lavender essential oil and natural plant extracts in a vegetarian softgel that can help you get the refreshing sleep you need without leaving you feeling groggy and sleepy the next day.* dōTERRA Serenity Restful Complex combines the well-researched, relaxing benefits of Lavender essential oil and L-Theanine along with lemon balm, passionflower, and chamomile to gently promote relaxation and sleep.*
To use, take 1 to 2 softgels before sleep.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

10. Emotions
As most pregnant women will report, emotions can be especially heightened during pregnancy. This is a natural result of fluctuating, elevated hormone levels in pregnancy. Though finding emotional balance can seem impossible in certain stages of pregnancy, or even just day to day, essential oils can be a powerful way to promote increased balance.
Essential oils are perhaps best known for their ability to powerfully affect mood. By carefully analyzing the chemistry of each of our oils, dōTERRA created the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy™ System. With six proprietary essential oil blends representing common categories of emotional well-being, the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy System makes emotional aromatherapy easy and accessible for anyone dealing with common negative emotions. This kit also includes a useful wheel to help the user identify negative emotions and match those emotions to an essential oil blend to promote greater balance and positive emotion.
To use the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy System, simply identify the emotions you’re struggling with and use the appropriate oil blend aromatically. Diffuse your favorite blend throughout the day to experience emotional benefits or use as needed and on the go by placing a drop in your palms and cupping your hands around your nose while inhaling deeply several times.

11. Additional Support
Because many women experience heightened sensitivity to certain aromas during pregnancy, in addition to the dōTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy™ System, there are also other essential oils and blends that can be helpful in grounding and balancing the emotions.
dōTERRA Balance® Grounding Blend is one of our most popular essential oil blends for emotional wellness. Perfectly blending Spruce, Ho Wood, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile with Fractionated Coconut Oil, dōTERRA Balance offers an enticing fragrance that promotes tranquility and relaxation. Try beginning your day by putting dōTERRA Balance on the bottom of your feet to promote feelings of calmness and tranquility throughout the day or apply dōTERRA Balance to your wrists or neck to help ease anxious feelings, as needed.
ClaryCalm®, a topical blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex, is another blend that helps balance heightened emotions. dōTERRA Serenity® blend can also help reduce feelings of tension and provide a calming effect on emotions.
ClaryCalm and dōTERRA Serenity can be diffused for a grounding, harmonizing effect on the emotions. Both can also be applied over the heart to provide constant aromatic benefits on the go. For some women, it may be especially helpful to use ClaryCalm in a warm bath to simultaneously provide topical and aromatic benefits. Serenity can be used in a similar fashion and also offers great emotional support when applied to the soles of the feet.

12. Skin
When pregnant, a woman’s skin changes as well. As a woman’s uterus expands, the skin in the abdomen can become taught and sometimes can’t keep up with the growing fetus.
Another skin challenge that many pregnant women experience is an increase in oil production. Fortunately, many essential oils can help reduce the appearance of oily skin and also help reduce the appearance of blemishes while simultaneously beautifying skin. Some favorites are Frankincense, Grapefruit, Helichrysum and Immortelle. Just apply the oil to skin, as needed, diluting if sensitivity is a concern or consider adding to moisturizers for added benefit. Remember to avoid direct sunlight for 12 hours after using citrus oils on skin.

13. Essential Oils & Delivery
Finally, let’s talk about the culminating events in pregnancy: labor and delivery. Just as essential oils are powerful in promoting emotional wellness during the course of pregnancy, they are similarly effective at helping promote positive emotions during labor and delivery. It isn’t uncommon for a woman to experience anxious feelings or feelings of uncertainty prior to delivery. For this reason, it can be incredibly powerful to utilize the profound effects essential oils can elicit when used aromatically to boost the mood and soothe away negative feelings. Research studies have found that when compared to women who did not use essential oils during labor and delivery, those that did reported less feelings of anxiety and felt more positive about their experience.
If a woman has used essential oils throughout her pregnancy for emotional support, her favorite oils can be a good place to start when thinking about what to use during labor and delivery. And if she hasn’t found a favorite, essential oils known for their soothing, grounding effects on mood, such as Lavender, Clary Sage or blends like dōTERRA Balance® or dōTERRA Serenity®, should be used. Simply add a few drops to a diffuser and diffuse to enjoy deep aromatic benefits. Women should be sure to consult their healthcare team on placing the diffuser in a location that won’t interfere with her treatment or be in the way.

14. Recap Proper nutrition is crucial Use essential oils for:
Nausea and digestive discomforts
Improved sleep habits
Emotional balance
Skin beautification
Labor and delivery
Let’s recap what we’ve learned today. First, proper nutrition while pregnant is of tantamount importance. Essential oils can be a powerful, natural way to support wellness during pregnancy. Use them to combat normal feelings of nausea and digestive discomfort, improve sleep habits, promote emotional balance, beautify the skin, and to ground heightened emotions during labor and delivery. Remember, though, to be sure to consult with your healthcare provider on your use of essential oils during pregnancy.