Wind Song Midwifery

GENTLE HERB & NUTRITION REMEDIES IN PREGNANCY

BLEEDING GUMS

General Information:

Use a soft bristle toothbrush and always brush GENTLY but thoroughly. Brush at least 3 times a day if not after every time you eat. DO NOT AVOID BRUSHING!

Some common helps (not every remedy helps everybody):

Rinse salt water (1 tsp salt to 1 cup water) over gums a couple times daily - this will strengthen the tissues.

CONSTIPATION

General Information:

Dehydration and deficiency in dietary fiber are often primary factors in causing constipation. These negative effects are greatly increased in pregnancy. Straining for a BM may also cause hemorrhoids which can cause one to try to delay a BM which then can increase tendancies to constipation - an uncomfortable merry-go-round.

Some common helps (not every remedy helps everybody):

Drink at least 10 (8 oz.) glasses of water each day - in addition to whatever else you drink!

KIWI FRUIT and PRUNES are very effective fiber sources that improve intestinal movement.

CRAMPS - "CHARLEY HORSE"

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FATIGUE

Feeling "tired" is a common complaint during pregnancy. In the 1st trimester(3 months) fatigue is due to the monumental amount of energy your body needs to get your baby growing. Most women then experience a "honeymoon" period of well being. During the last trimester the fatigue may return. Now it is because baby is becoming so big that your body needs to provide a lot of energy to allow baby to grow "big"- that is hefty enough to survive well outside after baby's birthday.

EDEMA

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FAINTING (SYNCOPE)

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GAS

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HEADACHE

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HEARTBURN

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Avoid fats, fried and heavily spiced foods. Eat small frequent meals. Keep you head raised - in other words don't lay down flat - for about 2 hours after meals.

Some common helps (not every remedy helps everybody):

Keep Anise Seeds with you and chew a few when you feel symptoms. *If you dislike a licorice flavor this isn't the remedy for you.

Eating a couple bites of yogurt, or a couple sips of milk (fat free or lo-fat) may help.

Try a liquid calcium / magnesium supplement. Take 2 teaspoons when you have symptoms.

Slippery elm lozenges or tea often provide relief.

HEMORRHOIDS

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INSOMNIA

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ITCHING SKIN

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MORNING SICKNESS

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There are multiple factors affecting morning sickness in pregnancy. Conditions you can control are fatigue, stress and skipping meals (causing lo blood sugar) - all promote nausea. Anything you do to improve these should help minimize the intensity and frequency of nausea.

Odors are often a common trigger for nausea - so see if there are particular smells which cause nausea. Then do what you can to avoid them; fresh air helps as does sniffing something lemony.

Some common helps (not every remedy helps everybody):

Ginger is often helpful - sip ginger tea (use fresh) or chew some candied ginger. Ginger ale may help but there isn't much ginger in it.

Peppermint (or any mint) also reduces nausea. Chew mint gum, drink mint teas or suck on minty candy.

Peach leaf or peach bark tea is also helpful. Women who drink raspberry leaf tea daily, often report a great diminishing in nausea. This could because of its high mineral and calcium content.

For a 2-page brochure with an extensive variety of helps (nutritional, homeopathic accupressure point etc.) - Mail your request enclosing $3.00 and SASE to CONCEPTION QUESIES at Wind Song's address below.

NASAL CONGESTION

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VARICOSE VEINS

General information:

Do your best to avoid standing for long periods. This is especially true if you work and are standing on a concrete floor. Try to modify the surface by wearing well supporting shoes or provide a thick shock absorbing pad on which to stand. Practice altering your stance periodically or go for short walks.

Some common helps (not every remedy helps everybody):

Increase the nutrient RUTIN in your diet. It is possible to use supplements - 50mg twice a day. But, food is better. Green peppers (raw or gently steamed) - eat 1 a day; buckwheat flour - add to pancake batter (substitute for 1/2 of flour)or bisquit or bread recipes; and the white pulp of citrus - especially lemons. This last is bitter but has a great concentration of rutin - 3 to 4 Tbsp each day.

Witch Hazel in a homeopathic formulation can also be helpful.

Vitamin E strengthens the walls of veins. Again foods are better used by the body than are supplements.

YEAST - VAGINAL

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Send KatiAnn an email message to answer any of your questions.