Bump&Birthmotherandbaby.co.uk| June 2020 | 27Citrus oil
as a morning
sickness remedy
y sense of smell is often heightened in
pregnancy, you may find relief from nausea by
using essential oils. Morning sickness can strike
throughout the day, and this remedy can be used
any time you’re feeling queasy. Try using essential
oils with a citrus base – lemon, sweet orange, or
grapefruit, for example. Less is more when it comes
to aromatherapy, so place just one or two drops of
your chosen essential oil on a cotton wool ball and
take a few deep breaths to inhale the scent.
Combine the use of your essential oils and
your hypnobirthing practice to create a
positive mindset, and later for your
baby’s birth – they work
wonderfully well
together.
Coconut oilfor massageDaily massage with coconut oil will nourish
the skin, may help to reduce stretch
marks, and will ease any itchiness.
Start this mindful practice in your
second trimester and continue it
throughout your pregnancy.
Massage is a calming, nurturing
way to connect with your body in
pregnancy and promotes the release of
oxytocin, a powerful feel-good hormone that
you and your baby both experience during
a massage. As your bump begins to bloom,
gentle abdominal massage is a simple way to
bond with your baby – indeed, many mums
report feeling their baby kick when they
massage their bumps in the later trimesters.
This is a nurturing practice you and your
partner can do together. Play some music and
talk to your baby during the massage – she will
learn to recognise your voices.
For the massage, sit between your partner’s
legs or sit upright on your bed with lots of
pillows for support. Apply coconut oil or sweet
almond oil to your hands, then using
the flats of your hands, slowly
move up from your pubic bone
and around your bump,
gently massaging in
circles with slow,
focused breathing.