Tanja Thielen · health strategist, former nurse
Natural support in pregnancy: what works, and what to leave alone
You'd love to do this naturally, and you want certainty too. That's exactly why I wrote “Natural Balance During Pregnancy” with midwife Petra Lomartire. On this page you'll find the essentials: what essential oils can mean for you, how to use them safely, and how to start simply.
The short answer
Is it allowed? Yes: in the diffuser and well diluted on the skin, you can work with the right essential oils in pregnancy. Two clear limits: we don't use oils internally during pregnancy, and a small group of oils you leave alone entirely (the list is below). In the first twelve weeks we're extra cautious with skin application. When in doubt, talk to your midwife.
The honest part first: what to leave alone for now
People who want to sell you something rarely start with what you shouldn't buy. We do, because you're pregnant and you simply want to know where you stand.
Leave alone
Hyssop, sage, wormwood, rue, lavandin, oakmoss, parsley seed. These you don't use during pregnancy (and they're not in the kits below either).
Mindful and sparing
Camphor, cassia, clove, rosemary, wintergreen, cypress (not in the first five months). Well diluted, not daily.
Welcome daily
Lavender, citrus oils (mind the sun on your skin), frankincense, tea tree, cardamom and the gentle blends from the book. Always diluted on the skin; extra restraint in the first three months.
The key question is never “is this oil scary?” but: which dose, which dilution, which application. That's exactly what the book explains per oil, with sources. When in doubt, always check with your midwife.
Why do all those lists contradict each other?
One site bans peppermint, the next calls it perfectly fine. Frustrating, and explainable: many warnings concern one specific application (usually: large amounts taken internally) and then get repeated without that context. Take lavender, the oil everyone wonders about: diluted on the skin and in the diffuser, lavender is among the best-researched and most-used oils in pregnancy. In the book we walk through the best-known contradictory warnings one by one, source included.
Clary sage is the loveliest example: not during pregnancy, yet a traditional companion during birth. Two truths, one oil, which is exactly why we explain it phase by phase.
Where they find their place in your pregnancy
The queasy mornings
A drop of lemon or ginger inhaled from your hand; fresh and light, exactly when you can use it. This is the question we're asked most.
The evening
A few drops of lavender or the restful blend in the diffuser as you get into bed. Many women make it the same ritual as brushing their teeth.
Full days
The roll-on with the grounding blend on your wrists, up to your nose, breathe in. Three seconds for yourself in the middle of a packed diary.
Skin that grows with you
A nurturing oil with lavender and frankincense in a carrier oil, every evening over belly and hips.
The cold season
The protective blend in the diffuser when half your world is sniffling.
Later: birth and the early weeks
From the cooling cloths to the first baby massage: the book walks every phase with you.
The questions everyone has (rightly so)
“Is this safe for my baby?”
Diluted, dosed and with the right oils: yes, and you don't have to take our word for it. The book backs every safety rule with sources (including Tisserand & Young, the standard in aromatherapy safety), and the list above shows we're willing to advise against things too.
“How do I know the quality is real?”
Every bottle carries a Quality ID; on sourcetoyou.com it shows you the complete independent GC/MS report of your batch. In peer-reviewed research on lavender oil, two thirds of tested brands turned out adulterated or diluted; these oils stayed consistent batch after batch. Checkable, not a matter of faith.
“Isn't this one of those selling clubs?”
More than 95% of all accounts are simply customers, like you'll be. Nothing to sell, no one to invite, nothing to order monthly. And because you may have read it elsewhere: we do not advise internal use of essential oils during pregnancy, not even “because the quality is so good”.
“What will it really cost me?”
Your own account costs a one-off €24.25 and gives 25% off everything. Choose one of the two kits below and that account fee is included, with the discount from day one.
Starting simply: two good answers
Both kits contain the same ten oils the book's starter-set chapter is built on: lavender, lemon, peppermint, tea tree, oregano, frankincense and the blends Air, ZenGest, On Guard and Deep Blue. The book tells you, oil by oil, how to use each one in pregnancy. The real difference between the kits: the size.
Family Essentials Kit
€187.34 account fee included
The ten oils in 5 ml bottles. The entry point: get to know everything, risk little. A diffuser isn't included; add one to the same order if you like.
Start with the Family Kit →
Home Essentials Kit
€333.77 account fee included · incl. Petal diffuser
The same ten oils in full sizes (15 ml; Deep Blue 5 ml), with the Petal diffuser included. Cheaper per drop; this lasts you months, including later with a baby in the house.
Start with the Home Kit →Not sure? If you'd rather start small, choose Family; if you want to be complete straight away (diffuser included), choose Home. There's no wrong answer here.
Either way: the one-off account fee (€24.25) is included, 25% off everything from day one, and no obligations afterwards. Prices incl. VAT, July 2026; see the order page for the current price.
Included with your kit: a whole team behind you
Start via this page and you land in our team. Concretely, that means:
Customer app, answers 24/7
For all your questions: “can this go on my skin?”, “what do I do about…?” You're never on your own.
3 months of free wellness scans
A personal overview of where you stand and what suits you.
Free webinars and training
From beginner class to deep-dives, as often as you like.
Direct contact with me
When you're stuck, I'll personally think along with you.
This comes with it because guidance makes the difference between a drawer full of bottles and oils you actually use.
Take the guide with you (free)
Leave your email address and you'll receive the guide “Ten oils, and what to do with them”: applications and real-life recipes per oil, pregnancy-proof, including how to bring all ten home in one go.
Done! Check your inbox (and occasionally your spam folder) for the guide and the meditation.
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The whole story, chapter by chapter
More than 40 chapters on pregnancy, birth and the early weeks: glucose-conscious eating, relaxation, aromatherapy phase by phase, tips from Petra's midwifery practice and DIY recipes without unnecessary additives.
Coming soon
Frequently asked questions
Can I use essential oils while pregnant?
Yes: diluted on the skin and in the diffuser, that works well with the right oils. We don't advise internal use during pregnancy, and in the first twelve weeks we're extra cautious with skin application. When in doubt, talk to your midwife; NHS and NICE guidance advises keeping complementary approaches modest in pregnancy.
Which essential oils should I avoid in pregnancy?
Leave hyssop, sage, wormwood, rue, lavandin, oakmoss and parsley seed alone. Treat camphor, cassia, clove, rosemary and wintergreen, among others, mindfully and sparingly. The book explains each oil, with its source.
Is lavender oil safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Diluted on the skin and in the diffuser, lavender is among the best-researched and most-used oils in pregnancy.
Can I use a diffuser while pregnant?
Yes, with the right oils. Diffuse in moderation, think 15 to 30 minutes at a time, in a ventilated room.
Do lemon or ginger help on queasy mornings?
Many women find inhaling lemon or ginger fresh and relieving; it's one of the most-used applications in pregnancy.
What's in the kits?
Both kits contain lavender, lemon, peppermint, tea tree, oregano, frankincense, Air, ZenGest, On Guard and Deep Blue. Family: 5 ml bottles. Home: full sizes plus the Petal diffuser.
Do I have to sell anything or order monthly with an account?
No. More than 95% of all accounts are simply customers; there's no purchase or recruitment obligation and no monthly order needed.
What does an account cost?
A one-off €24.25, included when you start with a kit. It gives you 25% off all products.
Is the quality independently tested?
Yes, per batch. The Quality ID on your bottle shows you the full GC/MS report on sourcetoyou.com.
Essential oils are not a replacement for medical care. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, consult your midwife or GP with questions or complaints; in the UK, your NHS antenatal team is your first port of call. This page contains partner links: ordering through them supports our work at no extra cost to you.