NATURAL REMEDIES for PREGNANCY DISCOMFORT
Backpain
Bladder Problems
Colds and Coughs
Constipation and Hemorrhoids
Fainting and Dizziness
Headache
Heartburn
Insomnia
Leg Cramps
Pelvic Pain
Complexion Changes
Stretch Marks
Varicose Veins
Backaches can be particularly annoying. They can be caused by poor posture, inappropriate lifting techniques, lack of exercise, or the weight of the baby and the stretching ligaments.
Suggestions:
* Utilize good posture
* Use proper lifting techniques
* Pelvic rocking
* Massage
* Sleep with pillows supporting your legs and
back
* Wear flat heeled shoes that offer good
support
* Heat (bath, shower, pad, sock)
* Swimming
* Don't move in a jerky fashion
* Stretch daily
* Herbal Liniments may help
* St. John's Wort tincture, 15-25 drops in a glass of water every few hours
as needed
* For severe pain add 3-5 drops of Skullcap tincture to the above
* Chiropractic help may be of use as
well
Cystitis, an infection of the bladder, is not uncommon during pregnancy. This is due to the added stress placed on your bladder because of the increased volume of fluids in your body.
Suggestions:
* Avoid junk food, refined starches, sugar,
coffee, tea and foods high in acidic content
* Eat live yogurt daily
* Drink plenty on fluids, especially water
* Wear cotton underwear
* Avoid using soap to wash your genitals or using bubble bath or bath salts
* After intercourse emptying your bladder and washing with water may help
reduce the risk of infection
* Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
* Include garlic, leeks and cabbage in your diet
* Blend unsweetened cranberry juice with parsley three times daily
* Barley water, chamomile, marshmallow and raspberry teas are effective
* Try taking 500g daily of Vitamin C until symptoms improve
Pregnancy can cause your mucous membranes to swell. This can make it more difficult to get rid of coughs, colds, etc. Prevention is key here. Eat well, and get plenty of rest and exercise. Also avoid people who are contagious if possible.
Suggestions:
* Well balanced diet
* Increase Vitamin C foods
* Eating garlic or onions can help with infections
* Zinc and Vitamin C supplements will help increase your resistance
* B vitamins help if you are under stress
* Use a humidifier
* Use Aconite 6X every two hours for 24 hours at the first sign of a cold
* Allium Cepa 6C three times daily for a streaming head cold
* Eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and tea tree: 2 drops pf each oil into a bowl
of water, inhale steam for 10 minutes Do not use in conjunction with homeopathic
remedies.
Recipes:
Herbal Decoction for colds:
4 Cloves
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
a few slices of fresh ginger
1 pints of water
a slice of lemon
honey
Add the spices to the water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the lemon and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink a hot cup of this every 2 hours.
Cold Tea:
Chickweed
Echinacea
Blackberry leaves
Mix equal parts of the herbs in a container and take a heaping teaspoon into a tea bag. Steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey. You can drink this as often as needed for cold symptoms
Constipation can become a problem in pregnancy due to hormonal changes affecting the digestive system. However, iron tablets can also lead to constipation as well as a lack of fiber in your diet. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the rectum which are associated with pregnancy. Preventing constipation is a good start to preventing hemorrhoids.
Suggestions for constipation:
* Regular exercise, especially squatting
* Plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet
* Drink plenty of fluids
* Drink prune juice
* Nux Vomica 6X three times daily
* When you have to go..GO! Do not delay the urge to defecate.
* Avoid straining your bowels (This will also help prevent hemorrhoids.)
Suggestions for Hemorrhoids:
* Avoid straining
* Apply baking soda wet or dry to take away the itch, even add some to your
bath water
* Hamamelis 30X
* Witch hazel or lemon juice to reduce swelling or bleeding
* Comfrey or Yellowdock Root ointment
* Herbal sitz baths
Fainting is common during pregnancy. The blood may pool in the lower body and the brain may become temporarily deprived of oxygen, causing fainting or dizziness.
Suggestions:
* Avoid standing for long periods of time
* While standing practice contracting and relaxing your leg and buttocks
muscles to help blood return to your head
* When resting lay on your side as opposed to your back
* When sitting return to standing slowly
* Don't get out of a hot bath too quickly
* Keep cool in hot weather
* If you feel faint, sit to avoid injury and place your head lower than your
body, kneeling on all fours works too
* Take a few drops of Bach Rescue Remedy as soon as your start to feel
faint
* Make sure you blood sugar isn't low, eat small protein rich snacks throughout
the day
* Shiatsu points Lung 9 (LU9) and Heart 7 (HT7) together, if done by someone
else, or separately if alone, for 5-7 seconds, repeat three times, then do
the same to the opposite arm
Resulting from hormonal changes or stress, headaches can be familiar during pregnancy.
Suggestions:
* Get plenty of rest
* Exercise regularly
* Excessive caffeine can cause headaches, as can caffeine withdrawal. If
you have been totally avoiding caffeine, a cola or cup of
caffeinated tea may help
* Try relaxation exercises
* Soak a washcloth in cold water containing a few drops of essential oil
of lavender. Apply to forehead and rest in darkened room
* Massaging the neck and spine may help
Hormones released during pregnancy allow the softening of the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach. This lets stomach acids back up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation. This may also occur in the latter months of pregnancy as your baby pushes all of your organs upward.
Suggestions:
* Eat smaller, more frequent meals
* Remain upright for an hour after eating, lying down can irritate the
problem
* Eating yogurt or drinking milk can help
* Avoid spicy or greasy foods
* Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk
* Mercurius Solubilis 6C three times daily
Insomnia can be caused by a lot of factors: restlessness, the need to urinate, worry, overstimulation, discomfort, etc
Suggestions:
* Avoid stimulants
* Eat a few hours before bedtime, making sure your meal is easily
digestible
* Try drinking chamomile tea before bed, or limeflower
* Try warm milk or a calcium and magnesium supplement
* Make sure that your room is well ventilated and your bed comfortable
* Use extra pillows as needed
* Do some pelvic rocking before bed, followed by a warm bath
* Massage of the head and neck may relieve tension
* One tablet of Passiflor 6X, Coffea Cruda 6X or Nux Vomica 6X before bed
or if you awake in the middle of the night
* A few drops of Bach Rescue remedy in water will help you if your are
restless
* Add two or three drops of essential oil of lavender to a base oil and use
it with a massage before bed
Cramps in your muscles are common during pregnancy. They may be caused by the weight you are carrying, circulation changes, or calcium deficiency.
Suggestions:
* Regular exercise
* Adequate calcium intake
* When the cramp begins, bring your toes towards you, and massage the
muscle
* Dissolve four tablets of Magnesia Phosphorica 6X in a small glass of warm
water
As your pregnancy continues, the weight of the baby and your changing form may cause pain when your pubic joint expands in preparation for birth.
Suggestions:
* Regular exercise
* Rest when you need it
* Warm compresses at the site of pain
* May worsen after walking or standing a lot
* May be worse when you are tired
Skin changes abound during pregnancy. Some are pleasant, others are not. Most of these changes will go away shortly after the birth of your baby. Here are some ideas for the not so pleasant changes that pregnancy can bring.
Suggestions:
Pigmentation:
* Use a sunblock when in the sun
* Never bleach your skin
* Use St. John's Wort oil to help prevent discoloration
* Eat foods rich in PABA and folic acid
Itching:
* Changing laundry detergents to a dye free,
perfume free brand
* Wear cotton clothes
* Oatmeal baths help with itching
* Chickweed ointment
* Bach Rescue Remedy Cream [liLime Flower teas before bed can be
soothing
Acne:
Acne may either get better or worsen during pregnancy, try to keep your face dry, and avoid oils
Contrary to popular belief, stretch marks cannot be prevented. Your best defense is healthy skin, and good genetics behind you. These marks will fade and turn silvery after the birth.
Suggestions:
* Eat the proper diet to help your skin
be healthy
* Drink plenty of fluids (Skin that is well nourished stretches better)
* If you have itching, use a cream to moisturize the area, some people prefer
a Vitamin E oil
* Take Calc Fluor 6X 3 times daily for a week starting in early pregnancy,
continue alternate weeks for the rest
Recipes:
Stretchmark Oil
dark glass 50 ml bottle
50 ml of wheatgerm oil, or mixture of wheatgerm and almond oil
essential oils of lavender and neroli
Fill the bottle with wheatgerm oil, or the mixture of wheatgerm and almond
oils for a thinner solution.
Pregnancy causes changes to the blood volume and hormone levels. The increased flow of blood and the relaxation of the muscular walls of the blood vessels leads to a more difficult return of blood from the lower body. They can appear in the legs, vulva, or rectum. The varicose veins in that area that are a result of these changes can be painful, itching, and unsightly. However, heredity does play a part in this process. Here are some ideas to help.
Suggestions:
* Massage may help prevent, but avoid if
varicosities develop
* Avoid standing for long periods of time
* Exercise regularly (Swimming, yoga and walking are great)
* Eat well, including plenty of fiber, Vitamins A, C, E and B complex
* Eat raw garlic, onions and parsley to increase the elasticity of your
veins
* Never cross your legs
* Avoid tight clothing
* Support stockings may help if you raise your legs up before putting them
on
* Raise the foot of your bed 3-4 inches
* Put your legs up whenever you can
* Exercise the pelvic floor and inner thigh muscles
* John's Wort and Shepard's Purse help improve blood flow
* Ointments of comfrey, yellow dock root, plantain or yarrow may help stop
bleeding, reduce pain and ease swelling
* Hammamelis 6X three time daily for up to a week for painful varicose veins
(stop when you get symptom relief)
* Calcarea fluorica 6X is good for building up elasticity