Pregnancy

Introduction

Creating magic in our bodies is part of the miracle of life itself, pregnancy is surely a time of bliss, vulnerability, femininity, creativity and change.

Before pregnancy is even entered into ideally take time to pursue optimum health for your body long before conception (at least 6 months). It is wise to cleanse the colon, liver and kidneys, and to be consistently eating nutritious foods. Some of us don't have fore-warning so once pregnant recognise this as time to build the body and to shed some bad habits concerning food, smoking etc. but to not attempt any actual cleanses.

Once the placenta has grown (by the third month) and, your baby has its own line of nutrition and detoxification processes, you can attempt only very gentle and minor cleansing programmes, guided by a professional naturopath, nutritionalist or herbal practitioner.

Nutritional Advice

The very best nutrition is vital whilst building another human being. Do not consume fish, meat and dairy products raised on synthetic hormones as these can complicate and unbalance the body's own carefully balanced hormones. Do not take stimulants like tea, coffee and alcohol and do not smoke: these will all disrupt, among other things, the baby's nervous system, sugar balances and circulatory system. Seek out a diet that suits you but contains plenty of whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts, vegetables and fruit. Dr. Schulze's Superfood is a wonderful choice at this time so take the time to go to the website and look up its nutritional value in detail. www.super-food.co.uk

Safe Herbs During Pregnancy

If you become constipated then seek a practitioner's advice on this as some colon herbs will be too forceful, and not safe during pregnancy. However, constipation of extreme importance during pregnancy due to the implications of auto-intoxication and must therefore be treated. Increase your water intake, drink fresh fruit juices and linseeds.

A simple daily choice is nettle tea or for something more nutty in flavour try dandelion root, brewed as a coffee like drink.

It is good to remember that all herbs have specific actions but are also all high in natural vitamin, mineral and trace element sources which are very easily assimilated. However many are contra-indicated, so seek professional advice on which ones to choose. Something like nettle which is an all round vitamin and mineral tonic is a really good choice.

Iron, calcium and magnesium levels should be met by eating lots of seaweed or by taking kelp tablets and drinking 3 cups of strong nettle tea daily. Folic acid and iron are often given to women at the onset of pregnancy or after the first three months. You will find excellent folic acid and iron sources in chlorella and algae and is found in the food drink Superfood. I would highly recommend that you take these, increasing the quantities as time goes by, although folic acid in particular is vital in the first trimester as it is important for healthy bone formation in the foetus.

Labour

Whether you give birth at home or in hospital, you should take every possible means to feel as confident and 'at home' as possible. Special music, familiar pillows and nice smells can all help.

Breast Feeding

Ensure, if possible that you feed your baby the colostrum; the clear liquid before the milk arrives as this lays down vital immune components crucial to your babies well being. British women breast-feed their babies less than any other European women. A breast-fed baby is provided with vital life-long immunity factors as well as irreplaceable physical and emotional nourishment. It also helps form good brain cells. Intake of plenty of water is important, but by also drinking plenty of these herbs as teas, your fluid intake will be up anyway. Breast-feeding should start at delivery - the clear 'colostrum' which comes at birth and lasts for the first two days is vital, immune-enhancing and nourishing food for the baby. If you feel very tired, look at the broader pick-me-up safe herbs by consulting a herbalist. If you suspect that you may be anaemic it is important to treat this quickly and black strap molasses - several tablespoons daily is one of the quickest blood builders I know alongside nettle tea.

Plenty of rest is important while recuperating from labour and the nine months of pregnancy. You have to have the energy to care for and feed this new bundle of joy. Being constantly woken up in the night to feed can eventually be very draining if there are not occasional blocks of time when you know you don't have to keep an eye or ear open, but can sink, instead, into a completely undisturbed sleep. Good food is, of course, vital, and, if you are looking for a good ready-prepared source, Superfood will be ideal. It may be that you need to seek some extra professional help here to find out how best to meet the nutritional needs of the two of you.

Practice pelvic floor exercises. You should have learned these first during pregnancy to make labour easier. They are also very useful throughout one's menstruating and lovemaking life. These exercises help maintain a healthy womb, along with bladder and rectal control. To do them, simply sit, stand or lie down - my midwife said, 'Do them while you're washing up!' - and squeeze your hammock muscles as if you were trying to stop urination. Squeeze even harder, count to 12 slowly, then slowly relax again. Breathe evenly and naturally. Repeat the whole process 10 times. A lot of women rush around too soon after birth. This makes it very difficult for the uterus to return to its right size and correct position, and may also lay the foundations for prolapse later in life. It is important to rest for at least 10 days in order to allow this process to take place. During this time, these pelvic floor exercises are best done lying down. After six weeks, get the position of your uterus checked. If it is not in its correct position a professional should be able to realign it.

Post Natal Depression

This is a sad fact of life, but is also a condition where herbs can really help very quickly. Consult a herbal practitioner.