Obstetricians and midwives advise extreme caution to pregnant women who take medication. Although seemingly harmless, "natural" products such as eucalyptus oil can cause unanticipated side effects during pregnancy. No compelling evidence exists linking eucalyptus oil cough drops to serious adverse effects during pregnancy. However, these natural remedies pose a number of theoretical risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. Consult your health care provider before using eucalyptus oil cough drops or any other medication or supplement.
Fetal Toxicity
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, an organization that supports the use of essential oils for medicinal purposes, cautions against their routine use during pregnancy. According to the NAHA, a fetus has underdeveloped detoxification organs, and scientists do not fully understand how a fetus eliminates poisons from its bloodstream. The National Institutes of Health warns that eucalyptus oil is toxic; it may cause muscle weakness, seizures, dizziness and weak heartbeat. Although these side effects are rare in adults using recommended quantities, they may theoretically arise in a fetus who absorbs the compounds in utero.
Circulatory Disruption
According to the NIH, eucalyptus oil can trigger changes in heart rhythms and blood pressure. This may be accompanied by dizziness or vertigo. Because eucalyptus may decrease a mother's blood pressure, it may also alter the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the uterus. As a result, the fetus may theoretically suffer from stunted growth or brain damage from inadequate blood flow. Despite these concerns, the NIH notes that eucalyptus oil's exact effects on pregnancy are theoretical and poorly understood.
Fetal Organ Failure
The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions against the excessive use of eucalyptus oil products, noting that they can cause multiple organ failure if ingested in very high amounts. Eucalyptus oil cough drops present little risk to adults, but the UMMC warns strongly against their use in children younger than 6. Because fetuses and young children have poorly developed livers and kidneys, they may experience severe organ failure from very small doses. In theory, a fetus that ingests eucalyptus oil in the womb may experience liver or kidney failure. This could result in stillbirth or in significant problems in early infancy.
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