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Pregnancy Naturally
A rush of emotions. A little stick. Will it be pink! Or blue?
Who should you tell first? What do you do now?
Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience that is full of
excitement and love and anxiety and tension. There are a lot of
decisions to be made and you must face the realization (whether
it's your first or your 12th) that life will never be the same.
Once you have the details of the actual delivery, the who
(midwife or doctor), what (your baby), where (home birth,
birthing clinic or hospital) and when (determining your due
date) down, you can get on with making sure that baby has the
best possible beginning even before you give birth.
Nutrition will be one of the keys to help you to keep your
growing baby healthy and safe while still in your womb. And an
extra bonus will be helping you to keep up your energy and
minimizing the unpleasant effects of carrying your little one
inside of you.
If you have a craving, indulge it. If you can't eat something,
don't worry about it. The body has different needs during this
time and those needs show themselves in various ways. It's a
temporary situation and nothing to be concerned about.
Prenatal Vitamins - While many multiple vitamins have the
necessary quantities of vitamins and minerals for an average
adult, prenatal vitamins have the increased quantities of those
vitamins most important during this precious time. In addition,
some prenatal vitamins have added the herb Ginger to help with
morning sickness.
Calcium and Magnesium - These minerals are important during
pregnancy for a number of reasons. If you don't have enough
calcium to provide to your baby as he begins to form bones and
teeth, your body will naturally compensate by pulling these
critical minerals from your own teeth and hair. This is why many
women get more cavities and have brittle, dull hair during
pregnancy. In addition, adequate levels of calcium may prevent
preeclampsia during late pregnancy. Of course, there is the
added benefit of avoiding excess leg or muscle cramps, common in
pregnant women.
Red Raspberry - This herb is commonly known as the woman's herb
and can be taken throughout pregnancy. It has been used
traditionally to strengthen the uterus and help women carry
full-term reducing the chances of premature birth.
5-W - This is an herbal combination by Nature's Sunshine
Products. Many mothers and midwife's insist they would not
deliver without it. 5-W (five weeks) should be taken during the
last five weeks before the scheduled due date. This product will
help to tone the uterus and shorten the duration of labor.
Common ailments and natural alternatives
Sometimes our best efforts aren't enough and we end up getting
sick or having other problems that need to be addressed during
this delicate time. Because anything that you take will also
affect your growing baby, it's best to use safe, natural
alternatives whenever possible.
For almost all of the following, the best natural prevention is
water. Pregnant women need far more of it than the average
adult. Be sure you have water with you every where you go and
drink it by the gallon.
Allergies and sinus congestion - Fenugreek may assist by acting
as a mild laxative (opening the bowels to flush the irritants
and mucus) and by reducing mucus secretions. A side benefit of
fenugreek is that it promotes lactation in nursing women.
Back pain - See a good chiropractor and use rice pillows to ease
the pain.
Bladder Infections - Use cranberry supplements daily as a
preventative if you are prone to bladder infections. Should you
contract a bladder infection during pregnancy, you could
increase your dosage of cranberry and add colloidal silver, a
natural antibiotic. Be sure to do this at the very first sign of
the infection as bladder infections that reach the kidneys may
increase the risk of preterm labor.
Colds - Echinacea is a safe alternative that can be used during
pregnancy. Sip on Echinacea tea or take a few capsules several
times a day. Another herb that may be effective is Olive Leaf.
Of course, don't forget to increase your vitamin C.
Constipation and hemorrhoids - This sometimes occurs due to the
extra iron in prenatal vitamins. While it is generally not safe
to take a laxative during pregnancy, there are some things you
can do. Increase magnesium. Magnesium is a natural muscle
relaxant and will help to relax the sphincter muscle that allows
for proper elimination. Increase fiber. Often, due to cravings
or specific food aversions during pregnancy, women don't get
enough fiber. Supplement if needed. Exercise may also help.
Insomnia - Valerian root acts as a natural sedative and may be
just enough to help induce sleep.
Nausea - Ginger or peppermint tea can be very helpful here. Also
try aloe vera juice.
This is a time of joy but it may take a little extra strength
and willpower to stick to your desire to stay natural. Just
remember, the less toxins you put into your body, the healthier
your baby will be.
About the author:
Nicole Bandes is a Certified Herb Specialist that has been
helping others to regain their health and vitality since 1999.
Nicole uses and recommends Nature's Sunshine Products for her
family and friends. Read more articles by Nicole at
http://www.naturallyherbs.com.
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