Natural Pregnancy Remedies, Tips and Tools

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

Hey ladies. Let me preface this by saying that I am not a medical Dr. and I don't believe any of us are. Please consult your OB before trying anything new as this is only meant to be a place to bring forward ideas.

I was thinking this could be a place to post any herbs, oils, foods or other things that are supposed to aid in pregnancy/labor/breastfeeding. Last pregnancy I found the topic really interesting as I am always trying to avoid medicine when possible. It's also amazing to me the effects simple ingredients can have on the body both positively and negatively. There are so many different tips out there it might be nice to have a hub to discuss them all.

Please share any possible uses or personal experience you may have with different products.

***AGAIN this discussion is in no way providing medical advice or diagnoses. Please consult your doctor.***

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea- Meant to tone and strengthen the uterus, improve the effectiveness of contractions, help bring in breast milk and more. It’s rich in vitamins and nutrients. I started drinking it last pregnancy in the 2nd trimester beginning with 1 cup a day and increasing it to 4 cups at the end. Did it work? Not sure. I did have a long labor still but my actual push time was less than an hour and my milk came in no problem. I like the taste though and since I don’t drink caffeine during pregnancy this will be my go to again.

Dates- studies have shown that women who ate 6 dates a day starting week 36 of pregnancy were far less likely to need Pitocin or have their membranes rupture prematurely. They also had a better chance of spontaneous labor and not needing an induction. I haven’t tried this one but will definitely be this pregnancy even if I don’t like the taste.

Dandelion Root Capsules- I sincerely hope none of you ladies ever need this but last pregnancy I had an awful case of PUPPPS. I was beyond miserable and nothing I tried helped to relieve the itchiness and pain until I started taking these capsules. I started taking them 3 days before I delivered DS so the rash went away anyway but I was really seeing an improvement and was soooo thankful for it.

mtmama2 · November 2016

I don't have anything to add yet but just wanted to say this is a great idea! Thanks for starting this Gators&BoSox!

betsy538 · November 2016

Lemon essential oil for heartburn, rub in a clockwise motion at the base of your throat.

I've been using dōTERRA's deep blue rub for back aches, it's been a life saver for my sciatica.

I second raspberry leaf tea, not sure it worked, but it certainly can't hurt. I drank a few cups a day in my 3rd trimester last time around.

I'm looking forward to hearing more tips!

Phil413 · November 2016

I drank red raspberry leaf tea last time around and my labor was less than 5 hours from the time my water was broken until they put her in my arms. Don't know if that has anything to do with it but worth mentioning. I also drank mother's milk tea after she was born to help with supply.

Here's something weird: take some olive oil and massage your perineum to help against tearing.

mtmama2 · November 2016

Does anyone havea suggested brand for the red raspberry leaf tea?

kjd291 · November 2016

I've been taking Epsom salt baths every week! My midwife said there's a tiny bit of research that shows it may aids in pregnancy to reduce blood pressure--i.e. Pre-E. it is proven to aid in digestion(preggo constipation) help with mood, reduce pain, eliminate toxins and swelling! Maybe it's just by chance---but last pregnancy by this time I was quite bloated in my face and unable to wear my wedding rings--this time around I've had no issues as of yet!

Plus, who doesn't love a relaxing bubble bath

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

@sienac I use the traditional medicinals organic tea. btw it doesn't taste like raspberries but just black tea. didn't want to get your hopes up lol

@kjd291 i might have to try that... i swell so bad in pregnancy especially in my face

I've also heard that putting diluted peppermint oil on your back and hips is supposed to help if you're in
back labor

jenny0228 · November 2016

Great topic!

I need to try the epsom baths - I have started to get a teeny bit of swelling by the end of the day and I am hoping it doesn't start a trend!

I eat a lot of grapefruits (whole - not juice unless I juice it myself) and grapefruit is a natural diuretic to get rid of excess bloat.

julievdm12 · November 2016

Stupid box.....

@betsy538 do you have Doterras digestion blend? I have found that when I dilute and apply to cheat area it helps heartburn a lot as well!

Ive become a doterra fanatic in the last year. I'd own every product if I could afford it. (Except for the supplements, I'm still doing my own research on internal use and I'm especially not comfortable with internal use while pregnant.

julievdm12 · November 2016

Also, haven't tried it yet, but my mother in law swears by eating celery when you have heartburn.... might try that sometime too. Just because I'm curious!

And if you're like me, I didn't love the red reasberry leaf tea flavour, I found I enjoyed it more cold. I would brew a pitcher and then put it in the fridge to get cold and drink it over ice. That was yummy.

kiyamurph · November 2016

Great thread! I'll pick up some tea this weekend. My only tip to add is Fenugreek really helps with milk supply. I had to take some when my little guy was over a year since my supply started to plummet and I wanted to make it to 2 years. We reached the goal of 2 years and the Fenugreek attributed to that. I wish I can remember the brand but drawing a blank at the moment.

vino831 · November 2016

@kjd291 I as gonna ask why you started the Epsom baths. Sounds fantatsic I will definitely start doing that!

I can't think of anything to add other than being another supporter of RRLT..

Oh wait... lemon water. a tip I got for swelling last time and for some reason I LOVE it during pregnancy which is a bonus!

My birth bag was pretty much copied from Natural Mama last go round..So many good tips!

https://www.mamanatural.com/my-hospital-bag/

Lexxilou1986 · November 2016

I've been doing prenatal yoga pretty consistently the last couple weeks and my sleep has improved significantly. I had such a hard time getting comfortable! Now I don't even need the snoogle or extra pillows

betsy538 · November 2016

@kjd291 I take epsom salt baths weekly too! I mix essential oils in with them and get extra calming benefits before bed

I love doing detox baths for my DS, they are amazing!

wintersong · November 2016

Caution: rrl tea is not recommended for People at a higher risk of breast cancer. (I have no idea why. Just something my midwife said.)

Also when nursing avoid peppermint tea because it could negatively impact supply.

Ivorytower2 · November 2016

A Guinness or dark beer a day when breastfeeding. Scientifically proven to increase milk production (yeast) and to calm newborn Mom nerves (alchohol)

Foersty · November 2016

@longliveregina that's really interesting, thank you for sharing. As someone who has the BRCA1 gene mutation, I'm glad you shared that. I'll try to do some research on it.

mtmama2 · November 2016

Ivorytower2 said:

A Guinness or dark beer a day when breastfeeding. Scientifically proven to increase milk production (yeast) and to calm newborn Mom nerves (alchohol)

Now that's my kind of natural pregnancy tip!

wintersong · November 2016

Foersty said:

@longliveregina that's really interesting, thank you for sharing. As someone who has the BRCA1 gene mutation, I'm glad you shared that. I'll try to do some research on it.

Make sure to report what you find! I'm just basing my coment ononenurse's advice, so I'd love to hear about research.

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

@longliveregina I did a quick search and it seems that RRL might mimic estrogen in the body and therefore could possibly be more dangerous for women with conditions sensitive to it. But I didn't see any definitive results.

vprod · November 2016

Anyone use oil to prevent tearing? I was thinking about getting this Weleda stuff (https://a.co/iSHLyQd), but a little worried about introducing oils & stuff into my lady parts.

& honestly how do you / your husband / partner to rub it in without looking like a creep at the hospital?

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

when I was in labor my DOCTOR actually offered to apply some for me while I was pushing. I was amazed lol and took him up on the offer. The OB and hospital I work with are pretty progressive though and really easy going. I love them. But you might want to take it up with your doc and see if they have any policies or tips or even if they're willing to do it? I mean, they're down there anyway...

kjd291 · November 2016

Like gators ^^ my OB applied while pushing. I think its pretty common that they do so to help prevent tearing.

Goodmorning12 · November 2016

Does anyone have any suggestions for teeth whitening?

npaulie · November 2016

@vprod my midwife suggested using coconut oil

datalover13 · November 2016

@Goodmorning12 I've used activated charcoal. Seems counterproductive, but also seems to work. I think there are different ways to do it, but I bought capsules and then would break them open and kind of use my finger to put it all over my teeth. Let it sit and then rinse well. You don't swallow any of it, but I've also read it's safe.
I will say, it is MESSY. I would usually put it on carefully before I showered, would shampoo and condition and then just rinse my mouth out well in the shower, towards the drain.

Burrberrymum · November 2016

vprod said:

Anyone use oil to prevent tearing? I was thinking about getting this Weleda stuff (https://a.co/iSHLyQd), but a little worried about introducing oils & stuff into my lady parts.

& honestly how do you / your husband / partner to rub it in without looking like a creep at the hospital?

I used coconut oil a couple times a week 2-3 months before due date and I didn't apply anything in the hospital but I didn't tear at all.

vprod · November 2016

@npaulie @Burrberrymum awesome, thanks! will try that!

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

I picked up a probiotic drink and some garlic capsules today. They're supposed to help keep GBS away and I am desperately hoping to not only avoid the antibiotics but to deliver med free this time and not be attached to an IV.

disneybaby84 · November 2016

@Burrberrymum any recommendations on type of coconut oil or where to find it?

Burrberrymum · November 2016

disneybaby84 said:

@Burrberrymum any recommendations on type of coconut oil or where to find it?

*Stuck in box*

I just buy mine usually at the grocery store, any extra virgin coconut oil is perfect. Most health food stores will have it but I've also ordered it off Well.ca (I'm in Canada). We have a bulk Barn that also sells extra virgin olive oil but I don't always like getting it like that when it's been in a big tub in the open. I use coconut oil for tons of things so it's just something I usually have on hand, and one jar lasts a long time!

wintersong · November 2016

vprod said:

Anyone use oil to prevent tearing? I was thinking about getting this Weleda stuff (https://a.co/iSHLyQd), but a little worried about introducing oils & stuff into my lady parts.

& honestly how do you / your husband / partner to rub it in without looking like a creep at the hospital?

Nothing looks creepy at the hospital. Seriously in labor most inhibitions go out the window. My husband had to help me poop, yo. Your husband doing perineal massage will not be the most awkward moment of the day, lol.

Eta I think the massage is most helpful in the weeks leading up to birth. You can use coconut oil, it's antimicrobial and natural. Just use your thumb to apply gentle pressure back and forth on the edge of your perineum, pushing backward toward your anus.

During the birth your doctor/midwife might support your perineum from the outside to help prevent tearing.

Don't be freaked out by the word tearing. It makes me shudder inside even though I did year with my first and It was nbd. I got stiches. It didn't hurt much, I remember swelling more. Of I could think of another word to use I would. I would next want an episiotomy just to avoid a year. Tears are usually pretty superficial (surface level) when they happen. The horror stories women like to share are the exception, not the rule.

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