Healthy Pregnancy Home Remedies

WARNING!

Ted, just wanted to comment on a reply were you stated that vitamin c can help prevent miscarriage. ascorbic acid (synthetic vit c i believe) is actually and abortificient in early term pregnancy, so you should be sure to note that unless a woman is trying to terminate a pregnancy, she should never take ascorbic acid while pregnant (ascorbic acid is the main ingredient in most off brand and lower priced vit c supplements.)

I'm not sure about the form being right to take in pregnancy or not, but I took a top notch 6 a day prenatal with plenty of ascorbic acid in there, and I always had to have my water broken with my babies. (It was coming out intact.) Come to find out from my Midwife, it's the vit. C that causes a tough sack. I will continue to take it, as with my condition of an irritable uterus, most woman seem to loose their babies early due to their water breaking. . .I kept mine full term.

I'm in my 9th month of pregnancy and my baby is sitting on my sciatica nerve. I can barely walk somedays but this helps alot! I take a pretty hot bath with Epsom Salt, A bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil in the bath and soak for 20-30 minutes. It helps alleviate the pain a great deal. You can also get on your hands and knees (all fours) and tilt your pelvis and this relieves pressure. I hope this helps.

My sister got headaches when she was pregnant, she ate an apple and the headaches would go away. She I did not want to take medication for her headaches since it gets into the unborn baby's body. It worked well several times.

Hi,

I am 26weeks pregnant with my third baby and have been having bad back pain. I had an ultrasound and was told because of the way the baby is sitting I have severe hydronephrosis (fluid around my kidneys)

There are no kidney stones or obstructions. Is there anything I can do at home to help this?

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with a gallbladder full of stone's about a month ago. When my attacks hit, I feel it right under my breast bone and wraps around my upper abdomen starting on the right side. The pain is about a 8-10 on the pain scale. I feel like my breathing is labored and I start to scream it gets so bad. I felt one coming on about an hour ago and quickly Google remedies online. Found one for ACV. It said add apple juice as well, but I was so desperate for relieve, I took 2 gulps straight from the bottle and although the pain went to a 9 on the pain scale and it was almost unbearable, it didn't last more than 10 minutes (longest 10 minutes of my life! But my first one lasted 2 hours, which caused me to go to the hospital and the second last about half hour) I HIGHLY recommend ACV!! It really works!!

I was wondering what essential vitamins are absolutely needed to take during pregnancy? I've always had a weird sensitivity to supplements. I end up feeling dizzy and often get headaches. I know that I need to take some, but taking my prenatal vitamins just aren't worth feeling bad all the time.

Dear Diana,

I too have had issues with vitamins in pregnancy. Prenatals are especially offensive, I find! They make morning sickness worse for me.

So, with my babies I have mostly not taken a multi-vitamin. I do always take Folic Acid though 800mcg a day. That is critical for pregnancy. But you can get tiny little folic acid pills and they do not bother me.

I also take Blackstrap Molasses when pregnant. It keeps me from being anemic and is inexpensive and very nutritious. Sometimes I do not take it in the first trimester as I just can't tolerate it when I have morning sickness.

I would suggest a pregnancy tea. Traditional Medicines makes one that is very tasty. I have taken up to three cups a day of this. You can make your own blend, if you prefer. It does have nutrients in it that are very healthy for expecting moms.

My midwives were always fine with me not using vitamins. They knew I was generally healthy and had a pretty good diet. All of my children were born healthy and I had full term pregnancies. (Of course, you can have a healthy diet and do everything "right" and have a premature baby or a baby with health problems. My point is just that this process did not appear to harm my children in any way that I can tell.)

~Mama to Many~

I've been taking New Chapter Perfect Prenatal for a couple weeks now. I've always had good luck with their vitamins. (I tried Rainbow light prenatal but made me feel funny, nauseous) New Chapter vitamins are rather expensive, but they are high quality and to stretch them I just take 1 tablet a day rather than the recommended 3. That way I know I'm at least getting a portion of the recommended value I'm supposed to, in addition to vitamins that I'm getting from food. Amazon, Vitacost, and Swanson's have a pretty good deal for a large quantity or otherwise.

(I also take extras of things I read to be extra important for pregnancy~ 800mcg of Folate, 1000mg vitamin C (ester C{for energy! }), 1-2 tsp cod liver oil, 233mg chelated magnesium, 200 mg calcium. All have been working out well thus far :)

I am 7 months pregnant, and I was wondering if taking magnesium supplements is safe during pregnancy? I read the following post:

02/05/2013: Pgrace from Hamilton, N replies: "Castor oil acts on baby as well. It can cause your child to expel meconium while in the womb, which is an aspiration risk. I would find something safer to use during pregnancy and labour."

and it made me wonder if magnesium could cause the same risk of the baby expelling meconium in the womb since magnesium tends to have a bowel loosening effect?

Alexa: You can get all the nutrients you need in their active form and in their proper ratios from raw organic and grass fed whole foods. Dallas and Melissa Hartwig, best selling authors of Starts With Food, Rob Wolf, best selling author of Paleo, Emily Deans, Harvard Medical School, Eva Twardokens, alpine coach and 2 times Olympian, Shannon Ford, Mrs. United States, 2011, Paul Jaminet, PHD, nutrition author, and Dr. Doug Graham, nutritionist to Martina Navratilovo, author of 80/10/10, do not recommend isolated supplements.

Dear Alexa,

Over the years I have heard the warning of castor oil, but never heard a warning about magnesium. Although, I think it is an excellent question!

I checked with two herbalists who are very knowledgeable about pregnancy (via their books.) Both Shonda Parker and Rachel Weaver recommend magnesium during pregnancy for various reasons. Shonda Parker says pregnant women need 350-500mg of magnesium a day.

Rachel Weaver says that magnesium is used to stop-preterm labor, and recommends Natural Calm, which has magnesium, for muscle cramps.

Anyway, I trust these ladies as they have seen many women through pregnancy and birth. I am confident that if magnesium had a bad effect on the baby, they would both be aware of it and caution against it.

Hope that helps! Enjoy that baby! :)

~Mama to Many~

Which magnesium should women take ?? There are so many types available out there.. Am confused ?? Please let me know, Mama to Many . Love reading ur posts.. U r an angel .. Am mama to two too:)

Hi Deepa, another mama!

Ideally, I think that women would get their magnesium needs met through diet, but I realize that the “ideal” just doesn't always work out, and sometimes we just need some extra help.

Shonda Parker recommends magnesium citrate or aspartate when a supplement is needed. She recommends 500mg for pregnant moms.

I have known many people who like Natural Calm, which is an ionic magnesium citrate. I have used it in the past, but find it to be expensive for regular use.

Rachel Weaver recommends red raspberry/nettle/alfalfa tea (2:1:1 ratios) for pregnant women and says that between that and dark leafy green salads, you should be getting enough magnesium. She suggests natural calm if not. I have found this tea to be wonderful - pregnant or not. I add peppermint to it, and actually use 3 parts red raspberry, 1 part nettle, 1 part alfalfa, and 1 part peppermint. A quart a day is wonderful, especially if you like herbal tea.

I think Blackstrap molasses is a super way to get some extra magnesium. Different brands have between 8 and 15% of the RDA for magnesium a day. While this number seems low, I think it is likely that the body is able to better use this than with an isolated supplement, since it is in a food with nutrients the way God made them, so they were meant to go together. Plus blackstrap is so good for so many things!

Epsom salt baths are a delightful way to get magnesium into the system, though again, this can get expensive.

So, perhaps with magnesium, it isn't a one size fits all…there are lots of options and people can do what fits their lifestyle, preferences and pocketbook! I have used each of the above at different times.

Do let us know what you find to be helpful.

~Mama to Many~

I would recommend Magnesium glycinate.

Magnesium glycinate is commonly used to correct a magnesium deficiency, particularly when you may have difficulty absorbing adequate amounts of magnesium due to illness, or if you lack the enzymes that naturally facilitate magnesium absorption and transport.

The readily absorbable forms of magnesium are magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate--as well as malic acid

There are two aspects to magnesium:

1) Most forms have a laxative and can cause diarrhea so this can be a problem for may people. Magnesium glycinate is the exception to this so does not have this problem.

2) Knowing whether to take with or without food. This also applies to calcium forms also.

In my case I use a supplement containing magnesiumn oxide and calcium carbonate and D3 with my food since these absorb with food. I will use magnesium glycinate to supplement further especially if the restless leg symptoms act up. I can take this on an empty stomach.

What I said should apply to male or female.

Thanks "mama to many"for answering my query in details. Bought organic Unsulphered molasses yesterday. I mix one tablespoon of BSM with 2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar organic and raw one with mother and drank it after I came back from my morning wslk.. Hopefully it will help with my very low iron levels and lowenergy because of hypothyroidcondition which has really made me feel so low and tired all the time..

Have been only using Himalayan salt instead of regular salt iodized and wondering if Himalayan salt cause low iodine condition . What do u think???

God bless this site. Truly amazing!!!!

Dear Deepa,

I am quite hopeful that the Blackstrap Molasses will be very helpful to you with your anemia. It has helped me this way so much in the past. You can even take 2 Tablespoons a day if you don't mind it, while you are trying to build your iron back up.

Himalayan salt will not cause low iodine. I consumed regular iodized salt for my whole life and was iodine deficient and had hypothyroidism. (Though I didn't know that for a long time.) Now I use Celtic Sea Salt and Realsalt. I also take Lugol's iodine. I have been taking iodine for a few years and feel much better.

Are you doing anything for your hypothyroid condition?

I hope you will be feeling great soon!

~Mama to Many~

Thank you to everyone who responded to my question. It is so nice to be able to ask questions and have people who have had personal experience (or more study) give help and advice! What a wonderful source! I found it even more helpful than I expected when the "conversation" turned to hypothroidism...that was the original topic I was reading about because my husband is struggling with that and adreanal fatigue. I was also wondering what brands or companies anyone finds particularly good and trusted...and not too expensive. Thanks again!

Hi Mama to Many, Thank you so much for your reply, I am already expecting and waiting for your reply. Because I am daily visitor of Earth Clinic and reading your posts with great interest. You are very sympathetic and generous. Thank you so much for sharing your remedies. During my first pregnancy I took cinnamon but once a day 1/4 tea spoon. Might be it help that I did not need insulin to control my GD but now I will take two times and more in quantity as you described and see what happens. My weight is stable and I have been not gaining weight since the last three months and babys size and weight is also normal. Thanks for your best wishes. I will post and inform you about my test result and progress. Thank you Earth Clinic for providing us such a platform where we can help each other and share our experiences. Stay blessed.

Anna,

Hi again... I had actually meant to write that cinnamon is not recommended in pregnancy. But it sounds as if you have successfully used it in the past (as I have.) Perhaps your previous cinnamon use (and all the other things you do--your careful diet and exercise) did help keep you off insulin last time... I will look forward to hearing how it all goes for you.

~Mama to Many~

I am 23 week pregnant and have had high fever since last day. A few days ago I have had severe UTI but treated it with sea salt remedy. It is better but not cured completely. My fever is on and off with ACV wet cloth remedy and I dont have cold and flu symptoms I think it is due to UTI. I dont want to take any medicine, and want to treat it with home remedies. Please help me. Thanks in advace.

Lisa, Please make sure you are well hydrated. That will help the fever. Peppermint tea is good for fever and hydration. If you have peppermint essential oil, rub a couple of drops on the bottom of your feet. You can also used lemongrass essential oil. (I use both and it does help fever in my children.)

Also, keep treating the UTI as it may not be totally gone if you have fever. Plantain Tea (1 quart a day) is excellent for UTI's (and hydration!) You can even mix the peppermint and plantain.

If you cannot get your fever down, I would go ahead and take over the counter fever reducer. I hate to take them, but when you are pregnant, your baby's temp. Is 1 degree higher than yours at all times, so fever can be dangerous for him. (According to a home birth midwife I used in the past.)

Praying you get well soon.

~Mama to Many~

I understand your fear of medications while you are pregnant, but at the same time, this UTI if untreated could get deeper in your system and cause systemic infection. This is not safe. You should get Doctor's care and they can decide what medication is safe for you in your level of pregnancy. Fever means there is infection and it should get the right medical care.

Sleep with sliced potatoes on your feet tonight and the fever will be gone in the morning, put socks over them. Works every time. Put them on the arches and slice about 1/2 thick.

You can try sitz bath with Calendula, Horsetail, Chamomile, Yarrow. Also drink a tea of Stinging nettle. Keep your feet for about 1/2 hour in warm water mixed with crushed garlic (at least one small bulb). Get Health through God's pharmacy by Maria Treben

I am 37 years old went into early premature menopause. I would like to have my periods and conceive?

I would consider adding Apple Cider Vinegar to your daily diet - 2-4 T. in water a day (spread through out the day). (This site has lots of ways people intake this. Just keep trying until you find one you can tolerate and will stick with. ) I am 46 and my cycles are better than they have been all my life in the last year or two. I think it is because I added ACV to my life a couple of years ago. Nothing else has really changed. I also no longer have gall bladder problems or reflux.

Many ladies find Blackstrap Molasses (1 T. daily) to help a lot with cycle difficulties. It is so nourishing and will not hurt you.

Finally, Red Raspberry Leaf tea is a wonderful tonic for women's reproductive health. There is an organic brand that also has nettle and alfalfa in it which is also very nourishing and many find it very tasty. :) Even three to four cups a day would be very healthy.

All of these things could be done safely together. As a last resort you could look into Natural Progesterone. Ed Lee has several books about menopause and premenopause etc. He recommends it. I have used it sometimes but only as a last resort as I am not convinced that it is really that "natural."

Hope you are able to get pregnant!

Minerals! ...Early menopause can be caused by having low levels of minerals.

I would take Organic Black Strap Molasses (1-3 YN per day) and some liquid fulvic acid, or Feroxin liquid minerals. Minerals supplementation have help many women to start menses again. As well as the minerals, some Black Cohosh and red clover may do wonders.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Donna Hyde. Lincoln, NE

[YEA] Blackstrap Molasses & Apple Cider Vinegar? I stopped my menstruation a year ago. I started black strap, and apple cider vinegar 1 month ago because my ankles were swollen, and redness was going up my legs. the apple cider and black strap did get rid of my swollen legs. I started a light period after 1 year of not having one. I said ''well hello''. I came to the conclusion that my body was so depleted of minerals that my body quit bleeding because it had nothing to give. I guess it will quit when it is ready to quit, I am not worried about it. I feel better than I have felt in years. if black strap was doing something to hurt me, then I would be feeling sickly. I feel young again. I don't suffer hot flashes anymore, my bones don't hurt, I am finally able to lose weight. I have lost 25 pounds since I started black strap almost 2 months ago. I take it with apple cider vinegar, and warm water. Thank God for His wisdom of what is good for us.

Posted by Rebecca (Sydney, Australia) on 01/31/2009

I stopped menstruating 2 years ago (I'm 47; my mother stopped at 46), and was pretty sure that I had gone through menopause. However, six months ago I started taking blackstrap molasses, and one month began bleeding. I stopped the molasses and the menstruation stopped too (it was very light). Now I have begun the molasses, the menstruation - very irregularly has begun again. I'm a bit worried why this is happening and whether it is normal. Anyone's informed feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

Posted by Juanita (Little Rock, AR) on 03/14/2008

[YEA] I was diagnosed with uterine fibroid cysts in Feb. of this year. I decided to take an active role in my health and see what I could do to shrink them(or get rid of them entirely) naturally. My doctor didn't want to do anything about them because I'm 48(he's hoping since I'm so close to menopause they will take care of themselves)and other than some heavy bleeding a day or two of my cycle(which were 9-16 days by the way) I wasn't having any problems, so he just wanted to "watch" them. Watch them do what? Grow? What if I'm NOT close to menopause and I'm one of those women that has a cycle until I'm 55?. No thanks!!! I came across this website and decided to try Blackstrap Molasses. It has been a miracle! I have only been taking it for two weeks(one Tablespoon each morning) and my oh my what a change! I had noooo PMS(even my sister noticed I wasn't as grouchy), very little cramping, no bloating, normal bleeding, and noooo clotting! A happy side effect(if you can call it a "side effect")is that my skin is as soft as a baby's bottom. I can't wait until I go back to my doctor next year and he finds NO fibroids! Oh, and I'm not sure, but the few gray hairs popping in around my temple area appears to have slowed. I will take BSM for the rest of my life! I will get back to you after my exam next year!!!!

Black Cohosh and Red Clover.

I did discover through all my research that red clover is also amazing

And those two, cohosh and red clover, are the best combination for late menses .. My period is never late. I still did not even hit pre menopause and I am 50? I think it is because I always take cohosh...always recommend it to women or young girls who are late with their menses. Even after years of not getting it they will get it again after a day or two...a friend was going to the doctor getting medication to get her period for 4 yrs.! And still did not get it..the doctor of course giving her some lame reason why?I told her just take 40 drops once a day or twice depending how far since your last period ..between one day and three your period will comeback...sure enough it came back ..it also helps with PMS and for some people menopause ...I always buy more than three four at a time just in case I give it to people in desperate situations and always need to make sure I have plenty in stock... you won't regret it if this is your first time buying it..it tastes horrible, but I do not use water I put the drops in orange juice ...and still works great...and the taste is bearable. But for the effect it is worth it, bad taste or not!

My husband and I have a lot of problems with sore muscles--neck, back, sciatic nerves, etc. We take arnica (homeopathic) tablets for pain and use arnica massage oil. It really helps! This pregnancy (#4), I have taken 1 or 2 arnica tablets every night and have had the least problems with leg cramps of all my pregnancies.

What is the dosage of Arnica tablet that you take?

I have read in the question / answer section that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use castor oil. Is that just internally (I can understand that) or does that advice apply to the external packs as well? I would really like to know why? I want to use the packs for constipation during my pregnancy and can't understand why that would be harmful.

Anne, what I did was to sit down with a glass by the sink and DRINK!!

Try Bentonite Clay for constipation. I put 1 Tablespoon in about 4 oz. water and leave it sit overnight (don ´t stir). In the morning, stir in some honey and you have natural Malox! I take about 1 T. or more every morning with lots of water and have had very little problems with constipation this pregnancy.

What can help Toxaemia in pregnancy? My daughter is currently having this issue, the doctors are doing all kinds of tests. They have not diagnosed it but I know it runs in the family and she has most of the symptoms. Can anybody help? I really would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

I don't think it is in the aliments list????

Hi, I just noticed your post on Toxemia. I came here searching for information on that as well. I believe it is also referred to as Eclampsia, or PreEclampsia which is briefly discussed here.

Essentially it is the combination of High Blood Pressure and Protein found in the urine of the mother later in pregnancy. So I suspect your daughter may have already had her baby at this point, but I thought I'd post anyway for anyone else.

I'm going to follow some of the recommendations listed in the general High Blood Pressure/Earth Clinic page which include taking ACV daily as well as aloe vera juice with a whole lemon and honey and sipping hibiscus tea throughout the day. All of these things, in moderation should be safe for pregnancy. I wish your daughter well. :)

I forgot to mention that I believe protein in your urine is a sign of ketosis, wherein your body is using your stored fat for energy and nutrients for mother and baby instead of what the current diet provides. While this may be a good thing for losing weight if you're not pregnant, the goal in pregnancy is not to lose weight!

So in addition to controlling blood pressure, and NOT eliminating sodium from your diet, you need to eat well, salt to taste. A good diet to follow that has shown success with preeclampsia is The Brewer Diet. This should keep you at optimum health.

I wanted to share my experience with taking evening primrose to get labor started and make it much easier for mothers. I have delivered 5 children. The first four were very long difficult labors that I was never able to start on my own. I had to be induced with each of my first four children. My first labor was terribly long and painful. 3 days of intense (sleepless) contractions and I went to my doctor each day and only dilated to a 1.5. It was torture. My doctor ended up inducing me with pitocin which now that I am older I understand causes terrible pain and stressful labors. My second was very similar and so on with the next two. It was with my fifth labor that my cousin who believes in natural remedies suggested that I start taking evening primrose to help prepare my cervix for labor. I started taking it at about 37 weeks pregnant as I didn't want to jump start my labor to soon just in case. I really didn't think it would do much with me since I apparently have a very stuborn cervix and uterus but I was willing to try anything after four terrible labors. I took it two to three times a day for 2 1/2 weeks. When I went in for my 40 week appointment I was blown away when my doctor said I was dilated to a 3. I had never ever dilated past a 2 on my own and that was when I was 2 weeks overdue. Now I am at a 3 a few days before I am even due. I had noticed a few mild contractions throughout the days but nothing that was what I considered painful. I continued to take the evening primrose and was having mild contractions the day of my sons due date. I had never gone this far without help so I was completely lost. Late that night I asked my husband to take me in cuz I felt different. We went in and I just about had a heart attack when the nurse said I had dialated on my own to a 6. It was awesome. I ended up delivering in a total of 6 hours after feeling the first "uncomfortable" labor pains. That was more than 3 times less than my previous deliveries. I love evening primrose and still take it during my menstral cycle for pain.

Hello Jen. I'm very interested in your story since I had three previous long induced labors. I want to try the evening primrose this time. In which presentation you took it? Oil capsules? Any specific brand you can recommend?

Thanks so much!

Hi, My wife 32 yrs had IUGR (intrautrine Growth Restriction) lost year and the baby died after 32wks. After the period of 1 year we are again trying for conceiving a baby, will IUGR repeat this type also. I am more worrying. Please suggest any natural way to prevent IUGR this time.

Many thanks, Shiva

I am 7 months pregnant and would like to start taking EVCO internally. I currently use it externally as a moisturiser, and after reading all of the wonderful posts testifying to the great overall results, I would like to know if it would be safe for me to begin ingesting it. I am 34, I don't drink, I don't smoke, I eat a pretty healthy diet of fruit, veggies and some meat. I would like to get all of the toxins out of my body using EVCO befor the birth of my son. I plan to breastfeed and I would love to be as healthy as possible to ensure that he has the very best from me internally as well as externally. I would also like to know if it would be safe to use as a moisturizer on my newborn.

I stumbled upon this site accidentally five days ago and since then I have become a sponge. I absolutely love the community of people sharing their personal experiences with virtual strangers. Thank you all for giving your time and effort to help people be as healthy as can be the way the good Lord intended.

It is absolutely safe! It would do NO harm and only benefit you and your baby for the better! I recommend using it as a moisturizer for your baby instead of all the commercial ones with chemicals no one can pronounce... And it's less expensive! I started giving it to my little ones when they started solids too... Good luck to you!

Hi Shannabelle, although I don't like to advise what you should take when you are pregnant I am pretty sure EVCO being a natural oil would be safe especially for external use on yourself and the baby when it is born. I know the South Pacific Islanders have been using coconut oil for an eternity without problems. I would keep the injestion of EVCO to a minimal amount to be sure, maybe about 2tsp daily. Hope this helps. Lily.

I forgot to add that Coconut oil is ALSO Antibacterial antimicrobial and antifungal!

Sarah, if you don't slow down on that Coconut oil a bit, you may be needing a nanny around the house!!!

To Lisa from Asheville, Nc:It's quite possible that you're suffering from a vitamin A deficiency. It corrected my continous bleeding when I had the same problem. Don't use synthetic Vitamin A (Palmitate) or beta carotene but natural vitamin A from fish liver oil. Good luck!

How can I use coconut oil to have quick delivery? I am 34 weeks pregnant - can I take coconut oil?

Dear Juliana,

I am not aware of Coconut Oil being used to help have a quick delivery. It can certainly be part of a healthy diet, and a healthy diet will make it less likely to have complications in labor.

There are a number of "Birth Preparation" formulas that some have found very helpful. You take them the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy and many find them helpful for better deliveries.

Dr. Chistopher's is called "Birth Prep."

Nature's Sunshine has one called 5-W

Mountain Meadow Herbs has one called "Gentle Birth."

I was not aware of such formulas until my last birth. I used "Gentle Birth." I cannot say if it helped or not. However, I did have very minimal bleeding after delivery, which surprised all the nurses a I was having my 9th baby.

Red Raspberry leaf tea, 3-4 cups a day, would also be a good thing to try (unless you get a birth prep formula that already has it in it.)

Let us know how things go for you.

~Mama to Many~