Natural Remedies for 10 Common Pregnancy Discomforts

Constance Rock LM, CPM has been assisting woman with birthing for almost 20 years. Here are some of her natural remedies to help pregnant mamas feel much better.

Nausea

The best thing for morning sickness is Himalayan Goji juice. Women go from not being able to keep anything down- to being able to eat normally. Drink between 2 to 8 ounces of Himalayan Goji mixed with a liter of water and sipped throughout the day. Eat a few crackers before getting up in the morning; avoid sudden movements; get acupuncture treatments; eat yogurt before going to bed or when you get up in the night to pee; eat several small meals a day instead of large ones; avoid greasy or fried foods; sip sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon; step into fresh air; drink Red Raspberry leaf tea; take 50mg. of vitamin B6 before bed; take 4 or more gelatin caps of powdered ginger upon arising and as needed through the day.

Headache

Don’t go for long periods without eating or drinking; apply a cool, wet cloth to your forehead and neck; massage neck, shoulders and face; try to relax; get some fresh air; get a chiropractic adjustment; get an acupuncture treatment; try aromatherapy (inhaling Lavender or Rosemary via an infuser or on a handkerchief, or in massage oil, are great for headaches).

Varicose Veins

Exercise regularly; avoid clothing that binds; elevate legs several times daily; don’t sit with legs crossed; wear shoes with well-padded heels for shock absorbency; use homeopathic Hamemelis (See instructions for use under hemorrhoids).

Constipation

Drink plenty of liquids; exercise daily; eat high fiber foods (raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains); drink Prune juice; take only natural iron supplements; get an acupuncture treatment; drink a very hot or cold liquid on an empty stomach to stimulate bowels; relax while on the toilet; and do deep slow breathing; do regular pelvic dancing, raise your feet on a box or stool while on the toilet so that thighs are even with hips; try squatting to move bowels. 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil and acidophilus work as well.

Heartburn

Himalayan Goji is great for helping with heartburn, also known as “acid reflux”. Avoid greasy, fried or spicy foods. If you eat something spicy, eat some cooling avocado, cucumber, watermelon, cilantro, or coconut along with it. Eat several small meals a day; drink plenty of liquids; wear loose-fitting clothes; never lie down with a full stomach; sip sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon; try a leisurely walk; breathe slowly and deeply; sit cross-legged on the floor and raise and lower your arms quickly then bring the backs of your hands together; slowly chew and swallow Cashews or Filberts.

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Hemorrhoids

Avoid constipation; do not strain at stools; avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods of time; do your Kegels every day; Chinese herbal Musk Hemorrhoids Ointment; homeopathic Hamemelis 30x 3x/day; apply witch hazel (keep a wide-mouthed jar filled with soft gauze squares and Witch Hazel near the toilet); insert a suppository of raw garlic or raw potato; take extra rutin*; use Witch Hazel, Comfrey, Yellow Dock or Plantain and Yarrow ointment; alternate hot and cold compresses, with baking soda or comfrey in the hot water and Witch Hazel in the cold; use Witch Hazel and Aloe pads (* not in the first trimester).

Swelling

Eat plenty of protein; avoid standing for long periods; elevate legs several times daily; lie on your left side; avoid clothing that binds; drink watermelon juice; eat watermelon and/or asparagus; take 4 to 6 Garlic pearls a day; take 4 to 6 organic Alfalfa tablets daily; get plenty of rest and exercise (work up a sweat once a day); drink plenty of water.

Leg Cramps

Add 1000-2000 grams of calcium to your daily diet; exercise and stretch your legs each day; keep legs warm; when having a cramp, sit on the floor and straighten knee while flexing toes to the ceiling; massage the muscle; apply moist heat. Eat a banana or avocado before going to bed.

Backache

Practice good posture; don’t slump or stand swayed-backed; lift carefully and correctly, using thigh muscles; wear low-heeled shoes; exercise daily; do pelvic rock exercise; apply heat to lower back; get a massage; get regular acupuncture treatments and chiropractic care.

Yeast Infection

Avoid all sugars (including fruits and fruit juices) in the diet; avoid yeast’s and molds (including yeasted breads and bakery products, any fermented products: vinegar, mustard, pickles, beer or wine etc.); eat active culture yogurt products; take acidophilus; get an acupuncture treatment; add a pinch of goldenseal root powder to yogurt or acidophilus and insert into v*agina; abstain from sexual intercourse until infection is completely cured; treat partner by applying yogurt to penis, being sure it gets into all the creases; fill a 00 gelatin capsule with boric acid granules, and insert v*aginally at bedtime for two consecutive nights, skip one night, then insert one capsule on each of two more nights.

The Author:

Constance Rock, LM, CPM, is a California Licensed Midwife practicing in Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Los Angeles Counties. She has been practicing midwifery since 1993 in both home and birth center settings. Constance is also an author, birth center consultant, inspirational speaker and mother of four children, three of them born at home.

Photo. Daniel Reche