NATURAL PREGNANCY

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Article by Michelle O'Connor
www.diaperbagsandbabycribs.com

The earliest weeks of pregnancy are a critical time for fetal development. Carolle Jean-Murat, M.D., in her article "Easy Pregnancy, Can It Be Done?" says that you need to start taking care of yourself before you conceive in order to have the healthiest pregnancy possible. In preconception care, your medical practitioner looks at your medical history and lifestyle to determine what you can do to bring yourself to an optimum level of health to be ready for pregnancy.

Nutrition will be one of the keys to help you keep your growing baby healthy and safe while inside the womb. If you have a craving, indulge it. If you're turned off from eating anything, 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.

Pregnancy should be a time to optimize your health. Quite a few natural supplements that can be taken are loaded with vitamins and minerals and can be helpful during pregnancy, labor and delivery. One supplement that is slightly costly, but well worth the price, is called Floradix. This may well be the answer for those who cannot stomach an iron tablet. Sold at many health food stores, this iron-rich liquid is chock-full with B vitamins and fruit and berry extracts.

Another great supplement is red raspberry leaf tea. It is a rich source of Vitamins C and E, contains some levels of A and B, in addition to phosphorus and calcium. This tea can also ease nausea during pregnancy and is known to reduce the pain of labor.

Natural Cures for Pregnancy Symptoms 

Morning sickness is nausea and mild vomiting in the a.m. during the first and sometimes the second trimester of pregnancy. Walking at least a mile a day in the fresh air, weather permitting, is a superb way to get your circulation going and to get rid of the hormonal by-products. Increase the amounts of the B-complex vitamins and irons in your diet, and avoid cooking, eating and smelling greasy and spicy foods.

Heartburn during pregnancy can be alleviated by avoiding large meals, instead, eat small meals frequently. Avoid foods that seem to cause the heartburn. Some fruits such as papaya, apple peels and pineapple have natural digestive enzymes. Eat just before meals to help digest food. Sipping yogurt, sour cream or kefir can relieve heartburn caused by the overproduction of stomach acids.

Hormonal changes and increased iron intake from pre-natal vitamins can cause constipation in the mother. To counter this, exercise regularly, and include plenty of fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables in your diet. Also beneficial are time-tested remedies such as eating prunes and other dried fruit. Most importantly, be sure to drink lots of water.

During the childbearing year you should be very mindful of everything you consume, be it food or medicine. As with any medicine, herbal remedies should be used with extreme caution during this time. Many herbs and natural remedies can be safely employed in the hands of a qualified practitioner. Seek professional guidance before taking any herbal supplement during pregnancy.