Good Herbs, Bad Herbs

Pregnancy and Herbs 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Herbal Remedies (p. 44 - 51)

Preview

by Frankie Avalon Wolfe

Herbs can support an easier pregnancy by helping alleviate morning sickness, mood swings, leg cramps, hemorrhoids, constipation, and anemia. They can also be used for nourishing and strengthening the body to support a growing, healthy fetus. 

Some herbs are best to used to prepare your body before pregnancy.  Then there are herbs you can use to support your body and the future health of your child during gestation; many of these herbs will help enrich your breast milk during the nursing period. Finally, thank goodness, other herbs can help your body get back into shape again. And some herbs, of course, should be completely avoided during pregnancy.

Anemia 

Anemia is a common problem during pregnancy. To avoid anemia, you will want to build a good red blood count before pregnancy. Herbs that can help are rich in iron and include dark green drinks, such as liquid cholorophyll or wheat grass juice. Others are not necessarily green but also are rich in organic iron; these include yellow dock, dandelion, and nettle leaves.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are another pregnancy related condition and can be helped by using bilberry and rose hips, which will help to strengthen blood capillaries. These herbs will also aid if you are suffering from hemorrhoids.

Bones

We all know that calcium helps build strong bones and teeth, and calcium is a mineral that helps in bone growth during fetal development. Many believe that we need to drink milk to receive calcium. If this is so, then how do you think the cows produce all that excess calcium-rich milk and maintain those strong bones and hoofs without drinking cow's milk throughout their life? That's right - the grass! The green plants provide much usable calcium for the body!

Calcium rich herbs safe for pregnancy include alfalfa, liquid chlorophyll, fennel, parsley, horsetail, and oatstraw. 

Nausea or Morning Sickness

Let's take a look at some common symptoms and their herbal solutions. 

Red raspberry is an herb that strengthens the uterus and reproductive organs and can even enhance fertility. Red raspberry tea can be sipped during pregnancy and has helped many moms to overcome nausea. Red Raspberry also tones uterus and reproductive organs.

One of the best herbal remedies for nausea or morning sickness during pregnancy is ginger root. Used as a spice for many Indian dishes, ginger also can be taken in a tea or capsules, and some people even like the taste enough to purchase candied ginger for nibbling. Ginger is a restorative herb, which means that it activates the body to bring it into balance.

Constipation 

Some moms get constipated during pregnancy, because the same hormone that maintains the pregnancy also decreases the movement of the bowel. One of the safest herbs you can use for constipation during pregnancy is psyllium hulls, or psyllium husk. It is a fiber that sweels in water and that acts as a intestinal broom, picking up and sweeping away debris from the colon. 

Push, Push - Herbs for a Smoother Delivery

The proper use of herbs will assist you through the entire birthing process. A combination used by many moms in daily small doses, five weeks before the due date is a mixture of black cohosh, squawvine, dong quai, butcher's broom, and red raspberry. Moms who have tried it attest that the combination supported the uterus to carry to full term, prevented premature births, helped with the pain of child birth, and decreased blood loss during and after delivery. Search oth this combination or have an herbalist mix you up a batch. Consult your doctor of midwife before beginning to take this combination.

Breast feeding

Herbs you can add to enrich breast milk include nettle leaves, spirulina (rich in chlorophyll, amino acids, and enzymes), and alfalfa. Don't forget - LOTS AND LOTS of WATER!! 

Avoid

Some of the more common herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy or when nursing:

Caffeine-containing herbs 

Aloe vera

American ginseng

Angelica

Arnica

Barberry

Butcher's broom

Castor bean

Cayenne 

Cedar barries

Chamomile (can cause bleeding)

Golden seal

Hyssop

Juniper berries

Licorice root

Myrrh

Oregon grape

Peppermint

Rosemary

Safflower

St. John's wort

Sage Sassafras

Senna

Flax

Please be aware that this is just a partial list and includes herbs that are not recommended to be taken in large dosages as dietary supplements during pregnancy on a regular basis. Some of these herbs may stimulate the uterus into action, which can cause miscarriage. Herbs used occasionally as a seasoning should not be a problem. 

A Childish Look at Herbs for kids (p. 53)

Effects of a Full Moon.

There's a Full Moon coming up soon! Could it just be the SPECIAL day? After reading this I wonder.  

Did you know that some maternity units actually have more staff available during periods of full moon?

I've always been fascinated by the moon's effect on nature, so when a friend's wife conveyed to me what her midwife had told her during the birth of their daughter, I decided to find out more about childbirth, full moon and a possible link.

On speaking to various medical staff involved in natural childbirth, the first thing I learned was that expectant mothers often experience false signs of labor during full moon.

Contractions known as "Braxton Hicks" -- sometimes noticeable to the mother and sometimes not -- become more pronounced and many travel to the maternity unit in the belief that "it's time". Disappointed -- or perhaps relieved -- they return home, the pains having subsided and with no dilation of the cervix.

While these expectant mothers visiting the clinic with their mistaken signs of labor are part of the reason why extra staff are needed, the major difference is found in the number of women whose amniotic sac -- the water -- breaks.

Just as some women experience false labor pains, in cases where the water breaking marks the start of childbirth, full moon is the time when it's most likely to happen.

In order to discover for myself whether this could be true, I asked several female friends how their births had started. Those who responded with "the water breaking" were then asked the date of the birth. On checking this against a moon phase chart, I discovered that almost all had given birth on, or very close to, a full moon.

The theory is that the moon's gravitational pull effects the amniotic fluid in much the same way as it effects the water in the sea, rivers and even the water that's otherwise found in our bodies.

As a woman's body prepares for natural childbirth, the amniotic sac becomes distended so the point where it will easily burst if put under pressure. Under normal circumstances, the pressure of labor contractions bursts the sac. During a full moon, the pressure caused by the moon's effect on the water inside the sac can cause the same things to happen, but without the accompanying contractions.

When this happens, natural childbirth doesn't always move forward and with no other signs of labor present, the obstetrician may decide to induce the birth. During my own study of this phenomenon I found that of 8 women whose births started with the water breaking at full moon, 5 of them had no accompanying contractions.

A coincidence? Perhaps. But surely midwives wouldn't prepare themselves for an increase in natural childbirth activity if there wasn't some truth in this?

One midwife told me that when it comes to planning childbirth, full moons should always be looked for around the time of the expected delivery. If there's one within a few days either side, the chances are your baby will be born on that day.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Moons-Effect-on-Natural-Childbirth&id=70253

Devotional: The Spring

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 

2 Corinthians 4:6

Every spring, I look forward to starting my garden. I love digging in the dirk; there is nothing like the feel of fresh soil between my fingers. I love the smell of the earth coming to life, the cultivating of the ground in preparation for growing. Gardening is so fulfilling - pulling weeds, planting seed and flowers. 

It always reminds me of how God prepares a mother's heart. First he takes fresh soil, preparing her hearth for a baby. The a seed is planted in her womb. She nurtures the baby growing inside of her, giving it the light of her love, nourishing it with her own blood. 

Do you feel like you need watering? Allow his Word to quench your thirst. Reading his Word brings you closer to Christ - radiance even when the world seems dark. His wisdom will illuminate your life if you let it.

Your Pregnancy Devotional; 280 Days of Prayer and Inspiration

Pamela Fierro, Suzie Chafin

Little Fun Things

Joke of the Day

A woman went to the doctor's office. She was seen by one of the new doctors, but after about four minutes in the examination room, she burst out, screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped and asked her what the problem was, and she explained. He had her sit down and relax in another room.

The older doctor marched back to the first and demanded, "What's the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 years old, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was PREGNANT?"

The new doctor smiled smugly as he continued to write on his clipboard.

"Cured her hiccups though, didn't it?"

Fun Facts: Poppyseed to Watermelon

from babybump.com

	Weeks 3 & 4*: Poppyseed Your little zygote is settling into your uterus... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 5: Appleseed Average size: .13 in** Major organs and systems are forming... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 6: Sweet Pea Average size: .25 in Blood is starting to circulate...  > More on what baby's up to
	Week 7: Blueberry Average size: .51 in Baby's brain is growing fast... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 8: Raspberry Average size: .63 in, .04 oz Little arms and legs are moving like crazy...  > More on what baby's up to
	Week 9: Green Olive Average size: .9 in, .07 oz A Doppler device might pick up a heartbeat... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 10: Prune Average size: 1.2 in, .14 oz Arm joints are working, and soon legs will too... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 11: Lime Average size: 1.6 in, .25 oz Fingers and toes are no longer webbed...  > More on what baby's up to
	Week 12: Plum  Average size: 2.1 in, .49 oz Almost all vital systems are fully formed...  > More on what baby's up to
	Week 13: Peach Average size: 2.9 in, .81 oz Teeth and vocal cords are appearing...  > More on what baby's up to
	Week 14: Lemon Average size: 3.4 in, 1.5 oz Liver, kidney and spleen are continuing to develop... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 15: Naval Orange Average size: 4.0 in, 2.5 oz Legs are finally longer than arms... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 16: Avocado Average size: 4.6 in, 3.5 oz Eyebrows, lashes and hair are filling in...  > More on what baby's up to
	Week 17: Onion Average size: 5.1 in, 5.9 oz Skeleton is hardening, and fat is accumulating... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 18: Sweet Potato Average size: 5.6 in, 6.7 oz Baby's moving like crazy -- feel anything yet? > More on what baby's up to
	Week 19: Mango Average size: 6.0 in, 8.5 oz Vernix caseosa is coating baby's skin... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 20: Cantaloupe Average size: 6.5 in, 10.6 oz Boy or girl, genitals are fully formed... > More on what baby's up to
	Week 21: Banana Average size: 10.5 in***, 12.7 oz Taste buds are starting to work... > More on what baby's up to
	Weeks 21-24 (Month 5): Papaya Average size: 10.5-11.8 in, 12.7-20.8 oz Nipples are sprouting, and face is fully formed! > More on what baby's up to
	Weeks 25-28 (Month 6): Eggplant Average size: 13.6-14.8 in, 1.5-2.2 lb Immune system is preparing for the outside world...  > More on what baby's up to
	Weeks 29-32 (Month 7): Squash Average size: 15.2-16.7 in, 2.5-3.8 lb Sleeping and waking cycles are establishing... > More on what baby's up to
	Weeks 33-36 (Month 8): Honeydew Average size: 17.2-18.7 in, 4.2-5.8 lb Growth is slowing, and baby may soon descend...  > More on what baby's up to
	Weeks 37-Delivery (Month 9): Watermelon Average size: 18.9-20.9 in, 6.2-9.2 lb Full term! Baby's finally ready for the outside world... > More on what baby's up to

New Mom's: Survival Guide

Upcoming Blog: Dreams

Email you silly pregnancy dreams to bellybuddies@gmail.com

Welcome!

Did 2008 have a pregnancy bug or what! 

It doesn't seem to be dying out anytime soon! 

This is a little idea I had back at the beginning of my pregnancy, and I finally took the time to get it going! There are so many of us expecting little bundles of joy & we will continue this journey together for years to come! I thought it would be nice to create a place to share :: all things positive :: silly stories, photos, encouragement, and information we come across along the way! The idea is to keep it just for those of us who are headed down joyous path together! 

Feel free to pass the website along to all of your expecting or new moms friends and family! For an upcoming blog send a silly pregnancy dream to  bellybuddies@gmail.com

Welcome to the Belly Buddies club! :)