Allergies and Pregnancy

Many women suffer from seasonal allergies, and dealing with them when you're pregnant is not fun! As a Herbalist and Doula (and fellow hay fever sufferer), I get asked all the time if i know of any natural methods. I spoke with a Naturopathic Doctor and Midwife, and they told me about some remedies that do work well AND that you can take during pregnancy:

1. WATER! Drink plenty...minimum 8 glasses per day (flushes out the allergens from your system).

2. Homeopathics are safe during pregnancy and lactation. Pollinosan Tabs by A.Vogel help regulate your immune system. I use this myself and this literally worked overnight.

3. Echinacea is safe during pregnancy and is also great for regulating the immune system; making it strong enough to fight invaders, yet smart enough to know what to attack and what not to.

4. Vitamin C is an effective natural antihistamine, and you can take up to 2000mg/day. Try to spread 500mg doses throughout the day.

5. A healthy diet of anti-inflammatory foods! Follow The Gentle Birth Method nutritional guidelines for a healthy, glowing pregnancy and better birth.

  

Gloria Lemay's Anti-Bleed Tea

Recipe for Anti bleed tea

2 Tablespoons Shepherd Purse

1 Tablespoon Fennel

1 broken Cinnamon stick

Put all herbs in a big pot. Boil water separately and pour boiling water (at least 5 cups) over the herbs. Let steep. (You may have to re warm but do that with least heat possible. Leaf and seed herbs are not boiled).

Get your big mug ready before the baby is born.

Put 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey in the cup with a spoon. Have bendy straw ready. Put tea strainer (small strainer with a handle) over the top of the cup. As soon as the baby is born one attendant runs to get a cup of the tea and the straw. Make sure it’s warm but not hot enough to burn mother’s mouth with a swallow. Give it to her and say “This tea will help your placenta come out smoothly, all in one piece.” Say this only once. Keep offering the tea liberally.


The mother’s body needs warmth inside and out after the birth and women seem to love the taste of this tea plus the hydration.


We use this tea for primips. With multips we use a crampbark/cinnamon tea for helping to reduce the afterpains. Barks and roots are boiled so there is a different method for preparation.



Multip Postpartum Tea

2 heaping Tablespoons Cramp Bark

1 broken 4 ” cinnamon stick

Cover with 6 cups water in a metal pot and boil slowly on the stove for about an hour. Remove from heat. Sweeten with maple syrup or honey as for the other tea.

This tea will warm the mother inside and the Cramp Bark is very effective for reducing the pain of the uterus contracting down (”after pains”).

                  teacup cozy made by KnitStorm

BOOB

Maternity clothes can be so...typical. Boob maternity is an on-line shop out of Sweden that delivers original prego wear...even if its just to look at and be inspired by the interesting pieces. Its like Thyme maternity meets Forever 21.

Green and Prego!

Green Smoothies are wonderful for pregnant mothers (and lactating ones too!) They deliver food based vitamins and minerals in a easily digestible form. Check out Get Fit and Yummy for some great information and recipes!