How to choose a prenatal massage oil for pregnancy

A massage oil turns a quick back rub into a proper wind-down. In pregnancy it is worth choosing one with a little more care, because your skin and sense of smell are both more sensitive than usual.

Pregnancy brings back aches, tight shoulders and restless nights, and a gentle massage from your partner can ease the end of a long day. Our guide to prenatal massage covers positions and technique. This one is about the oil.

Carrier oils make up most of the bottle

Most of what is in a massage oil is a carrier oil, a plain plant oil that lets hands glide over the skin. On its own, a carrier oil is a fine choice for pregnancy massage. Popular ones include:

• Coconut oil. Familiar in most Malaysian kitchens and bathrooms. Fractionated coconut oil stays liquid in a cool room and is less greasy.
• Sweet almond oil. Light and smooth, with very little scent. Skip it if you have a nut allergy.
• Olive oil. Richer and heavier, good for very dry skin on the legs and feet.
• Jojoba oil. Feels close to the skin's own oils and absorbs well.
• Sunflower or grapeseed oil. Light, inexpensive and good for a full back massage.

Vitamin E (tocopherol or tocopheryl acetate) is often added to help the oil keep fresh for longer.

Choose an oil you like the feel of, and patch test it on your inner arm for a day before using it widely. Pregnancy can make skin react to things it never minded before.

Essential oils in pregnancy

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. A few drops give a massage oil its scent, and many women find a pleasant smell relaxing. They are also strong, so a little caution goes a long way.

• Wait until after the first trimester before using essential oils on your skin, as a common precaution.
• Dilute well. In pregnancy, aromatherapists usually suggest no more than about 1%, which is roughly one drop of essential oil to a teaspoon (5 ml) of carrier oil.
• Never apply them neat to your skin, and never swallow them.
• Avoid some oils altogether in pregnancy. These include clary sage, rosemary, pennyroyal, sage, wintergreen, camphor, cinnamon bark, basil and juniper, among others.
• Gentler choices that aromatherapists often consider suitable in diluted form from the second trimester include lavender, sweet orange, mandarin, grapefruit, frankincense and chamomile.
• Citrus oils can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use them on skin that will be covered, or in the evening.

If you have a medical condition, a history of miscarriage or a high-risk pregnancy, ask your doctor before using essential oils at all. Keep them out of reach of children.

Scent for nausea and stress

Many women find that citrus scents such as orange, lemon or grapefruit help them feel fresher when nausea strikes, and that lavender helps them unwind before sleep. The evidence that scents ease nausea is limited, but if a smell makes you feel better, it is a reasonable thing to try.

A diffuser in a well-ventilated room is a gentle way to use scent. Run it for short periods, keep it away from where your baby will sleep later, and switch it off if the smell starts to bother you. Your preferences may change from week to week.

Using massage oil at home

1. Warm a small amount, about a teaspoon, between your palms.
2. Use slow, light strokes on the back, shoulders, hips, feet and lower legs.
3. Keep pressure on the bump very light, and avoid deep pressure on the calves and inner thighs.
4. Wipe off any oil on the soles of your feet before you stand up, as oily tiles are slippery.
5. Store oils in a cool, dark place and throw them away if they smell stale.

Stop and call your doctor if you feel dizzy, have contractions, bleeding or leaking fluid, or notice a leg that is swollen, red and painful. In an emergency, call 999.

For your bump

We do not currently sell a massage oil in Malaysia. If your belly feels tight and dry as it grows, our Stretch Mark Cream is a light, fast-absorbing cream with aloe vera, shea butter and jojoba oil, formulated for pregnancy and breastfeeding and halal certified by BPJPH, Indonesia. In a Mama's Choice satisfaction survey of 78 mums in Indonesia in 2022, 98% felt it absorbed easily and 97% felt it was comfortable to use and not sticky. Smooth it on after your massage or after a shower.