When I was pregnant with my first little girl (she’s sixteen now, and her sister is fourteen), I remember being absolutely overwhelmed by all the advice on using clary sage in pregnancy. One minute I was reading websites that said, “Don’t touch essential oils at all, they’re dangerous for you and your baby!” and the next minute I’d stumble across advice that basically suggested drowning yourself and your newborn in oils.
I was pulling my hair out. No wonder so many of my mummy friends just decided it was easier not to use essential oils for birth at all — the information was so contradictory.
Looking back, I can laugh, but at the time, I had what I can only describe as a “pregnant mumzilla” phase. Think bridezilla, but instead of obsessing over flowers and table settings, I was obsessed with creating the perfect birth and the safest environment for my baby. I went on a wild cleaning spree, throwing out anything I thought might be toxic. I remember telling my husband, very seriously, that from now on we’d clean everything with just water, vinegar, and bicarb soda.
I was planning a home birth and, as first-time mums often do, I got myself worked up over every possible scenario. “What if the midwife doesn’t make it in time?” (She lived half an hour away.) “What if something goes wrong?” My midwife reassured me, as most do, that first labours usually take hours and hours. Spoiler alert: mine did not. No time for beautiful water birth, no candlelit relaxation, and definitely no essential oils for birth. The bottles I bought remained unopened.
But those essential oils for birth weren’t wasted. During my second pregnancy, I was already hooked. I had my clary sage for labour. My lavender for calming and a few others in a little first aid kit. My midwife had encouraged me to study aromatherapy, which I did while on maternity leave. Aromatherapy particularly focussing on pregnancy and labour had become a passion of mine.
The Confusion Around Clary Sage in Pregnancy
One of the oils that comes up again and again in pregnancy conversations is clary sage. You’ll often hear:
- ❌ Myth: Clary sage will bring on contractions or cause miscarriage.
- ✅ Fact: There is no clinical evidence that clary sage causes uterine stimulation in pregnant women.
So where does this belief come from? Traditionally, clary sage has been called a “uterotonic” oil — something that could, in theory, stimulate the uterus. That reputation stuck, and out of caution, many aromatherapy guidelines still say, “Avoid in pregnancy until full term.”
But here’s what the research actually shows:
- A 2017 pilot study looked at women at 38–40 weeks who inhaled diluted clary sage. Their oxytocin levels rose slightly, but there were no uterine contractions observed on monitoring.
- A 2022 study using footbaths with clary sage and lavender also showed a small oxytocin increase, but again, no increase in contractions.
- Lab studies on animals are conflicting. Aqueous (water-based) extracts of clary sage have made mouse uterine tissue contract, but the essential oil itself and its main component, sclareol, have shown the opposite effect — relaxing overactive uterine contractions.
In other words, while clary sage has a reputation for stimulating labour, human studies don’t back that up.
You can download a handout with the referenced studies here.
So, Should Pregnant Women Use Clary Sage?
Here’s my take, both as a mum and an aromatherapist:
- Before 37 weeks: It’s still wise to avoid clary sage unless you really need to use it. The risk is theoretical, but better safe than sorry in early pregnancy. There are other essential oils that an aromatherapist could recommend.
- After 37 weeks: Some midwives and aromatherapists may use it cautiously to support labour relaxation. Evidence doesn’t show it will bring on labour, but it may help with calming and reducing anxiousness.
- For midwives in early pregnancy themselves: There’s no evidence that incidental exposure (being in a delivery room where clary sage is diffused or used topically by a client) poses any risk. Wearing gloves when handling oils and ensuring good ventilation are sensible precautions, but there’s no reason to panic or avoid it altogether.
A Note on “Safe”
Normally, I like to use the word “safe” a lot when talking about essential oils. But when it comes to pregnancy, I’m cautious. We can never make 100% guarantees because no one is going to run big clinical trials on pregnant women to test what’s safe. Instead, we rely on data from smaller studies, animal models, and decades of recorded use.
That’s why it’s so important to stay up to date with the latest research. A lot of the information floating around the internet about essential oils in pregnancy is outdated or based on hearsay rather than science.
Clary Sage for Labour
When it comes to preparing for birth, many women hear about using clary sage for labour as a way to help the body during those final stages. While research doesn’t support the idea that clary sage can induce contractions before the body is ready, it is often included in discussions about essential oils for birth because of its calming aroma and traditional association with relaxation.
Some midwives and mums like to diffuse it during labour to create a soothing environment, or blend it with massage oils for comfort. The important thing to remember is that clary sage, like all essential oils, should be used thoughtfully—supporting the birthing experience without replacing professional care.
My Final Thoughts
When I first discovered essential oils, I was full of doubt and confusion — and maybe a bit of mumzilla energy. Over time, I’ve learned that oils like clary sage can have a place in pregnancy and birth, but they aren’t magic potions and they’re not ticking time bombs either.
Used wisely, with proper dilution and timing, clary sage can be a supportive tool — especially for relaxation and emotional grounding. The real danger lies in misinformation and fear, not in the oil itself.
So if you’re pregnant, or supporting someone who is, remember: research, ask questions, and use essential oils thoughtfully. They can be a beautiful part of the journey, without the myths and confusion clouding the experience.
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