case report, excess heat & agitation late pregnancy

[Guest guest]

Dear Doula Sisters;

This case may be an interesting Ayurvedic study for you as it is for

me:

Client, primip now post her due date 2 days:

So much heat! Cool in the house (hot outsite) but why I am I so

hot? What can I do? Much anxiety, restlessness esp agitation

repeatedly used word. And exhausted.

 

Notes: Eating too many nuts & seeds (20 almonds plus ample

sunflower, pumpkin, cashew, etc)

Very concerned about enough protein and confused what to eat. Has

begun eggs (heating!), takes rice/mung kitchari with veggies usually

2X daily, as well as cottage cheese and nuts amply. Taking avocado,

ample flax oil, some other fats. Loosing weight per the doc this

week; past her due date. . " irritated " by use of any oils on her

body, even coconut for self massage. Also by much sweet fruits,

(enjoys watermellon), any even healthy sweets (these usually have

brown/heating sugars and extra nuts, maybe fenugreek too).

 

Moved during her 8th month (still nesting, not playing, getting walks

in but no fun) – feels exhausted (ojas naturally very depleated as a

result). Spiritually very committed to her yogic practices and

beliefs, as well as the community in Toronto where she was teaching

(from Detroit, her home.) but correctly discontinued the more dynamic

breathing exercises Earlier in preg was drinking 1.5 gallons water

upon arising and having many problems with digestive fire as well as

skin oozing water and patches red/bleeding; corrected with balanced

and lessened intake & dietary counseling for agni (inner digestive

enzyme processes). Vegetarian, " can't use milk " creates some skin

prob? tried it with turmeric etc Ayurvedic way, still creating

problems. Bowels moving ok.

 

Presenting complaint: Excess heat!!! Heat in upper half of body for

last few months very agitating (reduced apan pran, but how to treat

w/o inducing miscarriage was the issue).

 

Considerations from my training for her situation – continue eggs for

nourishment, not in same meal with nuts/butters, can

confuse/complicate/heat more. Take eggs with cooling balancers,

fennel, succulent green veggies, fennel seed, coriander powder,

cilantro, mint. Take mint/raspberry/oatstraw in stong tea 4 – 5 cups

daily, cool ok leave out drying (more diuretic) nettles. Peppermint

organic essential oils might be helpful applied to feet (she is not

likely to do these unfortunately, plus needs immediate ...) and drop

per litre drinking water. Sweet dairy (cheeses) not sour, light not

dark sugars for cooling, sweet fresh fruits she is resisting. I'm

thinking liver is at issue, have seen similar aversions to any oil on

body and other such symptoms before, and ref sugar sensitivities,

protein and EFAs are ok, prob not causative. Overlooked the obvious

(below) even tho herein is also probably true. (I don't usually get

to do the birth part of things) Highly suggested to find a skilled

Ayurvedic Physician in Detroit. Net search found Dr. Jay Apte,

(trained physician in India in contemporary as well as Ayurvedic

medicine, and pharmacological MS in this country) coming in 2 days to

start her training program there, she will call her. I spoke with

her first and reported to client the following:

 

Dr. Apte's recs: All focus now to increase the apan pran and

deliver the baby using 2 – 3 TBS of Castor Oil on empty stomach, AM

in ¼ to ½ cup favorite juice. Follow for taste with more room temp

juice. Within an hour should have several " loose motions " cleansing

the lower digestive tract in prep for more painless delivery and

sooner. Also will help liver/gall bladder to release some

heat/toxins. Eat before sunset evening meals. If still no labor in

a week can do again. Preg makes the blood richer, hotter; also

accumulations are at issue with apana prana deficient. Highly recs

Shatavari and turmeric in the (boiled, unhomogenized, organic) milk

now and after the delivery for milk production. " Like produces like "

philosophy, plus this herb is the best galactagogue, is nourishing

and hormonally supportive, reproductively specific and cooling.

Could be taking the shatavari now, will bring some.

 

Hope this is helpful to someone else!

Martha