pregnancy

[Guest guest]

i think we have a significant amount of experience on the list

regarding pregnancy care

its not a specialty of mine but i have had several pregnant women as

patients, and of course, have three kids of my own

i find it fascinating to compare all of the various techniques and

rituals involved in taking care of the mother to be found in

traditional cultures

there is so much there - somebody should write a book describing,

contrasting and comparing all these techniques

 

i think its key to have a somebody experienced in prenatal care advise

the expecting parent(s) rather than soliciting information from the

internet

its a very delicate time and sometimes things can go wrong

 

nonetheless, there are a few key components that I often recommend,

some which are familiar to ayurveda and some that are not

these are very simple treatments (but not an exhaustive list) that

anyone can do, and i will list them as they come to me:

 

1. multimineral and multivitamin, with folic acid: a simple cheap and

affordable insurance policy against neonatal defects

 

2. carminative tea: during the first trimester, for morning sickness,

using herbs such as ginger root, dill seed, celery seed, coriander

seed, and fennel seed; use 3-6 slices of fresh ginger with a teaspoon

of the fresh crushed seeds, boiled in 2-3 cups of water for 10 minutes

- drink throughout the day; also good for breastfeeding to ease colic

 

3. red raspberry and nettle tea: taken from the 2nd trimester forward,

to provide minerals and gentle astringing agents to tone the uterus

 

4. an iron/energy tonic, taken at the end of the first trimester to

post-partum - there are many on the market in the West such as

floradix, but you can also make your own from herbs such as ashvagandha

and shatavari, and/or chinese herbs such as american ginseng, chinese

wolfberry and prepared rehmannia, boiled with prunes and figs - boil in

water for several hours, until its thick and black and the fruit is

almost totally dissolved, strain well and while its still warm blend

with an equal proportion of jaggery, and keep in a cool place. dose is

1 large tsp mixed with ghee, 2 x daily; alternate sources of iron

include yams, leafy greens and of course red meat

 

5. for heartburn, something like 1/2 tsp each licorice root and

slippery elm powders, mixed with water; deglycrrhized licorice (DGL)

tablets are convenient, 1-2 tabs as needed

 

6. for poor fat digestion, try eating a little bitter food juts before

eating, e.g. a salad of bitter greens (endive, dandelion) with lemon

juice before meals

 

7. for constipation increase fiber intake: hemp seeds are particularly

good to munch and traditionally used to treat constipation safely -

avoid laxatives as this can promote premature labor

 

8. for hemorrhoids treat the constipation and enhance digestion, and

use soothing herbs such as licorice, slippery elm and plantain - in

reality however pre/postnatal hemorrhoids can be wicked painful and

difficult to treat - there is a chinese "herbal" musk ointment that is

incredibly effective to ease the pain, and some very good herbal

remedies that need to be administered under supervision

 

9. to prevent varicose veins (and hemorrhoids) eat flavonoid-rich

berries including blueberry, raspberry and strawberry; hawthorn berry

and flower can be taken internally as a tea, and horsechestnut can be

used topically as an ointment; try inverted postures daily, keeping the

feet raised above the head, and cold water hydrotherapy (esp. in hot

weather)

 

10. for muscle cramps try taking a separate calcium/magnesium (citrate)

supplement, 300 mg each before bed - it can be an indication of

deficiency

 

11. for breathing problems, try simple relaxation exercises and very

gentle hatha yoga; neti can be used to clear the nasal passages but

usually with limited success - estrogen tends to make the mucosa more

boggy and thus women often complain of nasal stuffiness - certainly

avoid milk/flour/sugar as this can make it worse

 

12. for the 8-9th months the mother can start taking a cup of warm

organic milk with a tsp of ghee on an empty stomach- this will enhance

her strength; at this time and also throughout the pregnancy gentle

massage can be performed, avoiding lots of pressure on the lower back -

focus mostly on legs mid back and shoulders - good footwear is crucial

Caldecott

todd