You're pregnant and you feel fantastic. The most important 9 months of your life. 9 months which can be exciting but during which you will often feel under the weather, physically and mentally. The last thing you want to do is fill your body with man made, artifical prescribed drugs. So what's the alternative ? This is the first of 10 articles which tells you.
You can stay healthy in lots of ways during pregnancy. All of them are based on natural medicine . All of them can be effective in helping you look great and feel great for the most important 9 months of your life.
So what are they ? What are the main ways of keeping healthy during pregnancy ?
This article is the first in a series of 10 which will look at feeling good and looking great when you're pregnant.
The first area I'm going to look at is pregnancy and herbs. Herbs are natural . Herbs have been used in the treatment of medical problems for thousands of years and they can be used to help you feel great and deal with some common pregnancy ailments.
Today most of us neglect them but they can help.
You need to be aware of which herbs are safe and which are not.. There may be risks in using some herbs in pregnancy.
- The Risks:
a) Herbs can lead to miscarriage, injury to the foetus or premature birth.
b) Whereas prescribed drugs are subject to scrutiny for safety by the FDA vitamins and natural herbs do not go through this safety validation process.
Some herbs may contain ingredients that are contraindicated in pregnancy.
d) Professional advice underwritten by the FDA is that if you are pregnant you should not take any herb without first consulting an experienced herbalist, your midwife and doctor. This does, of course, make perfect sense .It would be foolish to take anything even a natural herb without first checking on its safety.
You should avoid these herbs in pregnancy;
a) Blue Cohosh- can induce labor
b) Goldenseal- this could cross the placenta.
c) Dong Quai
d) Ephedra
e) Yohimbe
f) Passionflower
g) Pennyroyal.
Herbs which are safe to take during pregnancy:
a) Ginger root- ginger has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of sickness and nausea.
b) Oats and Oat Straw- these are great sources of calcium and magnesium and will help you to control anxiety ,restlessness and sore skin.
c) Peppermint leaf- again useful in helping to control morning sickness and flatulence.
d) Red Raspberry leaf- this contains loads of iron so can help increase the production of milk, reduce nausea and even help control and reduce labor pains. e) Slippery Elm bark- use the inner bark. This can help with vaginal irritation.
Additionally garlic, dandelion, and chamomile are noted for their healing properties. Chamomile is relaxing and can help you sleep, whilst garlic is great for the blood, and dandelion can help relieve mild edema.
In conclusion herbs, if taken properly and sensibly and in consultation with your midwife and professional herbalist, can help you to continue to feel healthy and look good during pregnancy. As with anything else some have tremendous benefits but others could do you harm. Be sure to take care.
A reminder this is the first of 10 articles about the use of complementary medicine in pregnancy. Look out for number 2 in the series :
'Pregnancy and Aromatherapy.'
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Paul I Costello is a father, high school vice principal and writer. He is interested in dieting and in all aspects of health. In order to find out more about pregnancy visit :
http://www.pregnancyupdates.info
