Pregnancy Problems

Pregnancy brings many welcome changes—you’ll no doubt revel in the joys of impending motherhood. But be aware that pregnant women may also face a battery of problems, from minor to serious.

One of the most dangerous is preeclampsia, a combination of high blood pressure, swelling and weight gain that affects 5 to 7 percent of pregnant women and can threaten the health of mother and baby.

Pregnancy can cause all sorts of other annoyances that are not as critical, including nausea and vomiting, backaches, swelling of the legs, feet, ankles and hands, stretch marks, hemorrhoids, even minor gum disease. (Did you know that pregnancy can even temporarily change the curve of your eyes, making contact lenses difficult to wear?) Pregnant women should have regular check ups with their doctors. The natural remedies in this chapter—in conjunction with medical care and used with the approval of your doctor—may help relieve pregnancy problems, according to some health professionals.

Aromatherapy

To prevent or minimize stretch marks, Fair Oaks, California, aromatherapist Victoria Edwards swears by this fragrant, nourishing oil: Add 20 drops of mandarin orange and 5 drops of jasmine essential oils to four ounces of cocoa butter, unscented lotion or massage oil. “I tell women to start using it in the fourth month, or as soon as their skin begins to stretch,” says Edwards. Apply daily after a bath or shower, while the skin is still damp, to the breasts, belly and wherever else your skin has stretched, she says.

For information on preparing and administering essential oils, including cautions about their use, see page 19. For information on purchasing essential oils, refer to the resource list on page 633.

Flower Remedy/Essence Therapy

“Pregnancy is full of physical and emotional changes that can be difficult for a woman,” says Eve Campanelli, Ph.D., a holistic family practitioner in Beverly Hills, California. “Walnut can help her achieve and maintain emotional balance as she adjusts to her new role as a mother.” Walnut is available in some health food stores and through mail order (refer to the resource list on page 635).

The emergency stress relief formula can also ease the discomfort of pregnancy and childbirth, says Leslie J. Kaslof, an herbalist and author of The Traditional Flower Remedies of Dr. Edward Bach. “My wife used the formula during pregnancy, and she felt much calmer and more relaxed,” according to Kaslof. During the birth, she took the remedy orally, says Kaslof, and he applied it in cream form to her temples and forehead, which also had a calming effect.

The emergency stress relief formula is sold under brand names such as Calming Essence, Rescue Remedy and Five-Flower Formula. It’s available in most health food stores and through mail order (refer to the resource list on page 635).

Note: Since all flower remedy concentrates contain some alcohol as a preservative, pregnant women should consult a health professional before using them, says Kaslof.

For more information on preparing and administering flower remedies, see page 37.

Herbal Therapy

Red raspberry leaf tea tones the uterine muscles, says Barre, Vermont, herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, author of Herbal Healing for Women and other books about herbs. It is also rich in iron, she says, and makes a pleasant-tasting, all-purpose tea to drink daily during pregnancy. Drink ginger tea with a little honey and lemon to ease morning sickness symptoms, she advises. Chamomile tea aids digestion, she says, and its calming effects will help you relax. For ease of use, try these teas in tea bag form, she adds. All of them are available in most health food stores.

Homeopathy

If you have morning sickness and even the thought of food makes you feel ill, try a dose of Colchicum autumnale 6X, says Maesimund Panos, M.D., a homeopathic physician in Tipp City, Ohio, and co-author with Jane Heimlich of Homeopathic Medicine at Home. If you crave cold water but vomit as soon as the water warms in your stomach, Dr. Panos suggests a dose of Phosphorus 6X. If you vomit first thing in the morning but feel better after eating, Nux Vomica 6X may relieve your morning sickness, she says. If you have nausea with no other symptoms, she says to try a dose of Natrum phosphoricum 6X.

For each of these remedies, Dr. Panos suggests taking a dose every 15 minutes until your nausea begins to diminish. She adds this caution: Do not exceed four doses in a day of any of these remedies without consulting your homeopath.

All of these remedies are available in many health food stores. To purchase the remedies by mail, refer to the resource list on page 637.

Hydrotherapy

The alternating foot bath is an effective way to relieve swelling in the feet and legs, says Tori Hudson, N.D., a naturopathic physician and professor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Fill one bucket or plastic wastebasket with enough comfortably hot water (about 104°F; use a regular oral thermometer to check the temperature) to cover your legs up to the knees. Fill another container with the same amount of cold water. Soak your feet and legs in the hot water for about three minutes, then immerse them in the cold water for about 30 seconds. Dr. Hudson suggests repeating this cycle three to six times every day. The treatment functions like a pump to improve circulation. “The heat brings blood to the area, and the cold sends it away,” says Dr. Hudson. “This is why you should always finish with cold water. The last thing you want is for blood to pool in the feet and legs.” People with serious circulatory problems should check with their doctors before using this treatment.

Water treatments can also ease the nausea and vomiting common in pregnancy, says Dr. Hudson. She suggests applying a warm compress (a towel dipped in comfortably hot water and wrung out is fine) to the entire midriff area, from armpits to hips. Leave the compress in place for 20 minutes while holding a hot water bottle to the abdomen. Dr. Hudson recommends doing the treatment about a half-hour before each meal.

Finally, to ease backaches and improve tone in the abdominal area, she suggests an alternating hot and cold shower on the lower pelvis (below the belly) and lower back. “Sixty seconds of hot water to 30 seconds cold is the most comfortable,” she says. “Alternate three times and finish with cold.” Repeat this treatment twice a day, morning and evening, she says.

“Pregnant women should avoid excessive heat or steam,” cautions Dr. Hudson. “Don’t even think about going into a hot tub or sauna.” High temperatures may harm the fetus.

Imagery

When you feel stress building or are suffering through a bout of morning sickness, try this imagery technique, says Barbara L. Rees, R.N., Ph.D., an imagery expert and professor of nursing at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing in Albuquerque.

Imagine yourself looking out into deep space. Count backward from five. By the time you get to one, you will be surrounded by deep space. Focus your attention on your breathing. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly, then breathe easily and gently. As you breathe, see and feel your chest filling with pure, clear light, power and love. As you let out your breath, imagine all of the tension flowing out of you. As you breathe in, feel yourself becoming more relaxed and increasingly filled with light, power and love. Imagine going through your day joyfully and peacefully, feeling very well and full of light, power and love. Count again from one to five, and as you count, gradually bring yourself back. When you reach five, slowly open your eyes.

Dr. Rees suggests practicing this imagery exercise once a day, preferably in the morning and in the same place every day. During the imagery, you may feel as though your arms, legs and body are heavy or numb. This is normal, according to Dr. Rees. Leave the imagery slowly, and try to maintain the sensations of wellness, she adds.

Juice Therapy

Ginger relaxes the intestinal tract and is very effective against morning sickness, writes naturopathic physician Michael Murray, N.D., in The Complete Book of Juicing. He suggests juicing a thin slice of fresh ginger (about ¼ inch thick) and half of a handful of fresh mint with one kiwifruit and one-fourth of a fresh pineapple.

For information on juicing techniques, see page 93.

Massage

A three-part massage on the breasts can help relieve soreness and engorgement, says Elaine Stillerman, L.M.T., a New York City massage therapist and author of Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy. Rub a small amount of massage oil or cream between your hands to warm it. Then rub either one or both breasts. Make large circles around the outside of each breast, but avoid directly touching your nipple or areola. Do this for several minutes. Now massage one breast at a time, using the fingertips of one hand to make small circles around the outside of the breast. After several minutes, repeat the same stroke on the other breast. For the third part, place both hands flat on either side of the areola, with your thumbs pointing toward your head and your fingers pointing toward your waist. Then slowly slide your hands away from the areola until you reach the edge of the breast. Be sure to avoid direct massage to the sensitive areola region. Turn your hands slightly to cover a different portion of the breast, and repeat. Do this for one to two minutes, then massage the other breast.