8 Uses for Coconut Oil in Pregnancy, Plus Safety and Risks

December 8, 2022

Pregnancy comes with a lot of do's and don'ts. Ensure to hydrate well and rest enough. Don't consume specific meals or perform certain actions. It is perfectly normal to desire to study whatever you consume or do on your body.

Coconut oil, for instance, is a commonly eaten element that also performs well with a moisturizing agent and other stuff. Can you use it while pregnant, though?

Here are a few points to consider about the use of coconut oil while pregnant, as well as some concerns you should raise with your doctor.

Consuming meals containing coconut oil when pregnant:

Coconut oil is classified as a form of superfood. Lauric acid, a medium-length long-chain fatty acid with antibacterial properties, makes up about 50% of the fat in coconut oil. A review of the research found that when lauric acid is consumed, the liver converts it into energy instead of depositing it as fat.

The lipids you eat throughout pregnancy are essential for feeding the placenta as well as the organ development of your fetus. The oil can be used to bake rather than other oils or to saute vegetables. No desire to prepare a meal? A tbsp can be used to make a smoothie.

Can pregnant women safely eat coconut oil? Yes, as long as you're not intolerant and don't go excessive. Pick "virgin" varieties rather than polished ones as they have received less processing.

Using coconut oil for oil-pulling while pregnant:

The practice of oil pulling involves certain people taking a spoonful of coconut oil and gargling with it.

Pulling oil might:

minimize bad breath
reduce the amount of dental plaque.
halt tooth decay.
Make your mouth muscles stronger.

Also, considerable anecdotal data indicates that oil pulling may help a range of illnesses, from renal problems to allergies to headaches, although further studies are needed.

Certain dental problems, like gingivitis or tooth attrition, can be put on by pregnancy. Oil pulling appears to be secure during pregnancy, but there is little proof in either direction. Moreover, oil pulling shouldn't substitute for dental health checkups, flossing, or tooth brushing.

Take a tbsp of virgin coconut oil and gently swish it around your mouth for twenty minutes to try oil pulling at home.

Morning sickness may make it difficult to perform oil pulling in the morning on an empty belly. Swallow the oil into the trash when you're done, then clean your mouth or gargle with salt water.

Using coconut oil when pregnant to cure atopic dermatitis:

Coconut oil is very hydrating to your skin due to its fatty acids. Among the most common skin conditions women experience while pregnant is atopic dermatitis.

Eczema flare-ups may occur if you are pregnant if you already have the condition. Yet, a review of the literature showed somewhere between sixty and eighty percent of eczema cases in pregnancy occur in persons who have never experienced this skin disease.

Virgin coconut oil could be used directly to areas affected as required. The oil may well have beneficial antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial qualities that aid in the healing process in addition to moisturizing dry, itchy skin, says a review of the research.

Research on the usage of virgin coconut oil for treating atopic dermatitis in pregnant women are few, but studies on the overall population indicate that it is harmless to apply to the skin. Talk to your doctor about any additional treatments or diet modification that may be beneficial if you have eczema.

Stretch mark therapy using coconut oil:

As your baby grows, so will your body. Stretch marks may develop on your belly, legs, buttocks, elbows, as well as other parts of the body as a consequence of all this skin stretching. Stretch mark reduction may be aided by keeping skin hydrated.

Despite the lack of studies on the use of coconut oil for scars, its hydrating properties suggest that it may be useful for a number of skin problems.

Virgin coconut oil may aid in the healing process, especially when it comes to the creation of collagen within and around injuries, based on a study of plant oil research. Coconut oil might also lessen skin inflammation, although further studies are needed.

It does seem safe to use virgin coconut oil on your skin as a pregnant woman, once again. Consult your physician if you are experiencing any other skin concerns or want to know about the other stretch mark prevention methods. Let's be the ones to explain it for you that often stretch marks cannot be ignored.

Perineal massage with coconut oil:

Consider performing a regular perineal massage as your due date gets closer to prepare your body in shape for labor. A vaginal delivery involves expansion of the perineum, which would be situated behind your vulva and anus. Vaginal ripping may be prevented by regularly rubbing with a hydrating oil, like coconut oil.

To self-massage:

Put yourself in a relaxed position (e.g., in bed, on the couch).
Place your fingers in the lower vaginal area about an inch and a half deep.
Place stress on your back as stretching your thumbs out to the edges.
Hold for around two min; a little burning or stinging feeling may be felt.
Massage the area around your thumbs with coconut oil for about four minutes.
Rest in between each of the following 2 to 3 rounds.
It's safe to practice perineal rubs while expecting. While you can start at any moment, a study review found that it is the most effective in the 6 weeks leading up to your delivery date.

In conclusion:

Coconut oil could be safely consumed and apply externally throughout pregnancy for a number of reasons. More study, though, is required to look into the entire variety of benefits and risks.

Make an appointment with your doctor to explore if over-the-counter remedies, like coconut oil, are safe to use while pregnant if you're having discomfort or pain or merely like to try something different.