Do you want to have a Baby?

Herbs for the last trimester and labor ease

Four million women give birth in America every year! About a month before the birth, your body will give you signs that it’s becoming ready. Some women will notice a burst of energy with the desire to prepare things around the house, like re-organizing the baby’s room, freezing extra food or cleaning out dirty cupboards. One of the biggest signs that you’re becoming ready is when your baby drops lower into your pelvis called “lightening.” Women report this can make breathing and digestion easier, but urination even more frequent! Bodywork tip: Rub cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, or wheat germ oil on the stomach and around the vaginal opening every night during the last trimester to make stretching easier and the skin more elastic during delivery. You can also gently stretch perineal tissues with your fingers to prepare for the birthing experience. Regular perineal massage may even help a woman avoid an episiotomy.

Five weeks before the expected due date, an herbal formula can help your body prepare for labor, aid in hemorrhage control and uterine muscle strength for correct presentation of the fetus. Herbs can also ease labor pain and anxiety, and allow for a faster recovery after childbirth. A simple raspberry leaf tea used in the last trimester helps soften the cervix in preparation for childbirth and stimulates milk production.

True labor symptoms to watch for:
• contractions follow a regular pattern, occurring closer together as labor progresses. Use a stopwatch to time your contractions.
• contractions last longer than 30 seconds at the onset and become progressively longer (up to a minute) and more intense.
• usually bloody show. Bloody show is the presence of a small amount of blood or pinkish discharge that usually occurs around the 40th week of pregnancy. Large amounts of blood are not normal and could be a sign of uterine hemorrhage. Seek medical help immediately.
• membranes will rupture (water breaking)
• pain begins high in the abdomen and radiates throughout your abdomen and lower back
• contractions persist and labor progresses regardless of changes in position or activity

Parturient Herbs help your body prepare for labor- Hemorrhage control
Evening primrose oil: provides high quality vegetarian EFA’s and can help soften the cervix in preparation for labor in late pregnancy.
Red raspberry: It is hemostatic to prevent excess bleeding during and after labor, and facilitates the birth process by improving natural contractions. Some women report that taking red raspberry throughout pregnancy significantly reduces labor pain during childbirth.
Bilberry: a good astringent and kidney tonic; hemostatic to prevent excess bleeding.
Bayberry/cayenne: hemostatic properties to control bleeding.
Shepherd’s purse: use as infusion after childbirth to curtail postpartum uterine bleeding and facilitate delivery of the placenta.
Nettles: replenishes vital minerals, helps control bleeding.
Yarrow: improves uterine tone and helps control blood loss.

Labor pain easing herbs
Cramp bark: uterine tonic; eases tension and pain from contractions.
Black haw: uterine tonic; eases tension and pain from contractions.
St. John’s wort: use as an extract in hot water to relieve labor pain or apply the oil to affected areas, especially good for relief of back labor.
Scullcap: strong pain and stress relieving properties; use as an extract in hot water.
Wild lettuce: high in minerals that relax the muscles.
Wild yam: especially good for relief of back labor pains.
Ginger: helps control nausea during child labor.
White willow: aspirin-like qualities for first stages of labor.
Earth Mama Angel Baby LABOR EASE tea

Nervine herbs for anxiety
Chamomile: calming, relaxing activity for anxiety during childbirth.
Lemon balm: stress relieving properties, but also energizing properties for fatigue and exhaustion during long labor.
Passionflowers: improves sleep during long labor.
Scullcap: a premier pain reliever and sleep aid, without the side effects or addiction consequences of narcotic pain medications.
Oatstraw: strengthens the nervous system. Rich in calcium and magnesium. Reduces anxiety and irritability.
Catnip: reduces stress and nervous stomach.
Valerian: improves sleep during long labor.

Calcium Magnesium source herbs
Kelp: a high calcium magnesium source with plentiful iodine and potassium.
Irish Moss: high in minerals; reduces pregnancy-related constipation. (moderate dosages)
Watercress:  high in iron, calcium and folic acid.
Carrot powder: root vegetables like carrots are very high in calcium and magnesium. Precaution: Avoid wild carrot seeds during pregnancy. They can stimulate menstruation.
Nettles: high content of calcium, magnesium and iron. A blood tonic high in chlorophyll. Reduces risk of uterine hemorrhaging, and increases the richness of breast milk.
Alfalfa : very high calcium source with vitamin K to guard against excessive bleeding.

Herbs for postpartum depression relief
Dong quai: the “female ginseng” to fortify energy after childbirth
St. John’s wort: a serotonin balancer with antidepressant properties that rival conventional drugs. Use whole St. John’s wort not standardized for best results.
Motherwort: alleviates anxiety, mild depression and palpitations.
Hawthorn: a heart tonic that enhances a sense of well being; a specific for relief of panic attack or mild palpitations.
Ashwagandha: an energy tonic for relief of mental and physical exhaustion.
Ginger: mild “pick me up” for body sluggishness after birth, particularly constipation following use of narcotic pain medication.
Evening primrose oil: a good source of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an essential fatty acid that supports the body’s production of prostaglandins, which effects hormone balance through out the body.
Crystal Star Depress-Ex caps

 For afterbirth pain: try Crystal Star Stress Out Muscle Relaxer drops in warm water (excellent results), an analgesic formula that helps the lower back and spinal block area, often within 20 minutes.

I spent a great deal of time during my pregnancy worrying about labor and birth, but in the end, my labor went well, lasting about 12 hours, and while I opted for some medical pain relief I labored naturally for many hours with the support of my herbals. friends and family. The birth itself was miraculous. Looking into my son's eyes for the first time completely overshadowed any pain or discomfort I felt.

Enjoy your pregnancy and celebrate your labor and birth!

-Sarah

Part 2- Specific Herbs for Pregnancy

Note: Always discuss the herbal remedies you are taking with your ob-gyn or midwife.

Lavender: a relaxing, anti-stress nervine for anxiety and insomnia. Helps reduce mild depression and panic attacks. Add 1/4 tsp. lavender to your favorite pregnancy tea or include a cloth bag of the blossoms in a warm bath before bed. Lavender pillows also work nicely.

Lemon Balm: high in vitamin C for collagen development. Helps relieve irritability and mild depression. Gentle anti-allergy activity. Increases energy, improves mood and normalizes digestive health.

Marshmallow root: very mucilagenous to soothe mucous membranes. A specific for pregnancy-related heartburn, especially in combination with chamomile and slippery elm. Also helpful for bronchitis or coughing during pregnancy.

Nettles: a very mineral-rich herb, with vitamin K to guard against excessive bleeding and iron to guard against anemia. Supports healthy kidney filtration and helps prevent hemorrhoids. Enriches milk quality. High calcium in nettles helps diminish leg cramps and childbirth pain, too.

Oats & Oatstraw: sources of calcium and magnesium to prevent leg cramps, reduce anxiety and aid baby’s development.

Peppermint, Spearmint: helps digestion, soothes the stomach and overcomes nausea and gas. Contains highly absorbable amounts of vitamin A, C, silica, potassium and iron. Just a few cups of tea works well. Avoid very strong preparations or high doses.

Red Raspberry: the quintessential herb for pregnancy. Rich in needed nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamins B, C and E. An all around uterine tonic. It is anti-abortive to help prevent miscarriage, antiseptic for protection against infection, astringent to tighten tissue, rich in calcium, magnesium and iron to help prevent cramps and anemia. It facilitates birth by improving natural contractions, and is hemostatic to reduce risk of hemorrhaging.  Note: Red raspberry does not increase risk of preterm contractions or labor. Some women report that taking red raspberry throughout pregnancy significantly reduces labor pain during childbirth. Assists with plentiful milk production, too. Preliminary research from the U.K. reveals red raspberry is an effective pregnancy tonic for women. Try red raspberry by itself or in combination with other herbs like spearmint, nettles and ginger as a gentle tea three times a day. Earth Mama Angel Baby Morning Wellness tea is a good choice.

Rose hips: rich in vitamin C for collagen production.

Seaweeds like kelp, dulse, sea palm and nori: exceptional source of vitamins and minerals to prevent birth defects; balances thyroid.

Slippery Elm: eases constipation, soothes mucous membranes of GI tract. Helpful for morning sickness, especially taken as a hot cereal when other foods aren’t well tolerated.  Use inner bark only.

Yellow dock root: in small amounts, it improves iron assimilation and helps prevent infant jaundice. In large amounts, it has laxative activity and should be avoided.

-Sarah

Part 1 - Specific Herbs for a Healthy Pregnancy

Unless otherwise specified in this section, consider taking these herbs in the mildest way, as relaxing teas, or as directed by your clinical herbalist, midwife or other health care professional during pregnancy. Always discuss the herbal remedies you are taking with your ob-gyn or midwife.

Alfalfa: highly nutritive, rich in enzymes, full of vitamin K to support proper blood clotting and reduce postpartum hemorrhage. A good vegetarian source of protein and iron. High in vitamins A, D, E and B6, trace minerals, and calcium and magnesium. High in chlorophyll with gentle cleansing properties.

Bilberry: a gentle astringent herb, rich in bioflavonoids to fortify veins and capillaries. A hematonic for kidney function and a mild diuretic for bloating. Just 10-15 drops of the extract diluted in hot water works well.

Black haw: interchangeable with cramp bark, relaxes uterine muscles, relieves pregnancy leg cramps.

Burdock: mineral-rich, hormone balancer, liver booster. Reduces water retention and may prevent baby jaundice.  Helpful for pregnancy-related urinary tract infections. A mild blood/liver purifier for herpes. Also reduces itchy skin from belly expansion.

Chamomile: relaxes for quality sleep, lifts the spirit, improves morning sickness, and helps digestive and bowel problems. A nervine tonic high in potassium and calcium. Reduces gas and indigestion. Not for women allergic to ragweed. 

Cramp bark: interchangeable with black haw, relaxes uterine muscles for women at high risk for miscarriage, relieves pregnancy leg cramps.

Dandelion leaf (fresh or dried) and root: a gentle diuretic that reduces pregnancy-related water retention; reduces fatigue, system sluggishness and constipation. A high source of vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron. The root is especially good as a gentle liver tonic. Dandelion greens are another choice that provide premier nutrition.

Echinacea: an immune system stimulant to help fight colds, flu and infections. A 2000 study by Gallo et. al. showed echinacea use during pregnancy was not associated with an increase in birth defects.

Evening Primrose oil: provides high quality vegetarian EFAs and can help soften the cervix in preparation for labor in late pregnancy.

Ginger root: excellent for morning sickness, gas and indigestion; has lots of needed minerals and carminative properties (gas relieving). Ginger works best in its whole form for morning sickness. A 1991 scientific review found no reports of birth defects or miscarriage from ginger. Use by itself in a tea or with spearmint, orange peel and chamomile. In one study of women with severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidum), just 250 mg. of ginger taken four times a day reduced nausea and vomiting for 70% of subjects tested. Note: The FDA states that taking up to 5 grams of ginger is safe as a food. Just one gram is sufficient as a morning sickness remedy.

-Sarah

Herbs for a healthy pregnancy

Whole herbs can be used to ease the discomforts of hormone fluctuations, stretching, bloating, and nausea without impairing the baby’s health. Clinical research shows herbs like red raspberry, ginger and echinacea are safe when used properly during pregnancy. Many other herbs have been used traditionally by midwives and naturopaths with excellent results for centuries, but small herb companies simply lack the funding for double-blind studies to scientifically demonstrate their results.

A study in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2001 reports that 91% of the women surveyed were using herbal remedies during pregnancy. Around one-fifth of pregnant women take some form of raspberry leaf! Whole herbs are mineral-rich foods, perfect for the extra growth requirements of pregnancy and childbirth. They are easily-absorbed and non-constipating. Ideal supplements for a developing child’s body should be from food source complexes. Herbs are identified and accepted by the body’s enzyme activity as whole food nutrients, lessening the risk of toxemia or overdose, yet providing gentle nutrition for both mother and baby.

The best pregnancy herbs offer very gentle healing activity. They can be used as culinary herbs added to recipes and taken as teas, both very safe delivery systems.  Herbs with powerful cleansing, laxative, blood moving (emmenagogue) or abortifacient activity should be avoided. See a detailed list of the herbs that are contraindicated during pregnancy here.

Important: If there is any question, always use the gentlest herbs and consult your ob-gyn or midwife. See our notes on early pregnancy and late pregnancy, which are considered separately with medicinal herbs.

Next week: More on herbs you can take during pregnancy.

-Sarah

What about goat’s milk formula? Is it a good option for baby?

If you can’t breastfeed and your baby can’t tolerate traditional or lactose-free formulas, a goat’s milk formula is a good option to explore with your physician and nutritionist. A recent New Zealand study shows that babies who are fed goat’s milk formula have growth rates comparable to babies who are fed cow’s milk formula. Proteins in goat’s milk are easier to digest than proteins in cow’s milk, but these types of formulas should be used carefully and with guidance from a qualified nutritionist or pediatrician.

Meyenberg’s pasteurized powdered goat’s milk with Vitamin D and folic acid can be used in a homemade goat’s milk formula recipe. AskDrSears.com offers a recipe for a nutritionally complete goat’s milk formula that can be tried at home. Your doctor will also need to recommend a multi-vitamin with iron if your baby is fed goat’s milk formula.

-Sarah

Healing Your Baby’s Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a painful condition caused by sensitive skin, friction in areas where diaper elastic is too tight, excess moisture, and exposure to fecal matter or urine. Look for: redness and irritation in skin folds around the inner thighs, buttocks and genitals. Stick to a diaper changing schedule every few hours. During changes, allow the baby’s genitals to air dry for a few minutes. We recommend cloth diapers, or disposable diapers without harsh dyes or bleaches like Tushies with real cotton to protect baby’s sensitive skin.

If your child is over 6 months, offer him plenty of water to help dilute urine acids. Mix comfrey, goldenseal and arrowroot powders with aloe vera gel or calendula ointment and apply. Expose the child’s bottom to indirect morning sunlight for 5-10 minutes for vitamin D nutrients (avoid direct sunlight in hot climates; the baby will get burned). Wash cloth diapers in water with 1 tsp. of tea tree oil (highly recommended for yeast overgrowth). Topical applications work: try Motherlove Diaper Rash Relief; Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm; or Jason Diaper Relief ointment. Homeopathic remedies help, too: Sulfur, Rhux tox. Avoid petroleum jelly. Use talc-free powders. 

Important note: Serious cases of diaper rash are often caused by overgrowth of candida yeast or bacteria (often occurs after a  course of antibiotics for cold). Look for very red rash with raised borders and white scales. Seek professional advice if it worsens or does not go away within a few days.

Natural Therapies For Colic

About 25% of babies suffer from colic— meaning they fuss and scream for more than 3 hours a day for at least 3 days a week—no fun for new parents or for the baby. Intestinal gas, milk allergy and acid reflux are all thought to play a role, but they are not the only cause of colic. Colic generally goes away or is greatly reduced after three months, but problems with gas, allergies and reflux in babies persist much longer than that. Whatever the cause, there’s no question that colic causes a lot of suffering for everyone. Symptoms other than crying to look for: Baby looks uncomfortable or in pain, the stomach may feel tight and round, and the baby may pass excessive gas.

Fortunately, my son was never colicky, but many babies are. Consider the following gentle suggestions if your new baby is suffering from colic.

Try these calming techniques. They can work wonders. If you are nursing, watch your diet carefully. Sometimes mother’s milk is acidic from stress or diet. Avoid cow’s milk, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, yeasted breads, fried and fast foods. If nursing, consider a weak fennel seed tea or Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid tea with added herbs to soothe baby’s digestion. Avoid red meat, chocolate, alcohol, sugary foods and caffeine until the child’s digestion improves. Tried and true digestive remedy for colic: try Gripe Water with ginger and fennel. To promote healthy gastrointestinal flora, try 1/4 tsp. Babydophilus in water or formula as directed (also recommended for nursing moms).

Effective weak teas include chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm (use just dropperfuls of lukewarm tea for infants). Never give honey to babies less than 1 year old. It has been linked to infant botulism. If the baby is four months old and colicky gas pains persist, offer them diluted papaya or apple juice, or small doses of papaya enzymes. Bodywork: Give the baby a short morning sunbath for vitamin D. Try a gentle catnip enema once a week for gas release. Infant massage is specific for colic. If symptoms don’t resolve after a few months or are accompanied by frequent vomiting, it may be a sign of infant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Consult with a pediatric gastroenterologist if you suspect your child has GERD.

-Sarah

Considering a Water Birth?

Here is an excerpt from my book, Do You Want To Have A Baby? on the benefits of water birthing. I know a midwife who delivered her daughter in a birthing bath without any complications.

There are benefits to birthing in water. Water birthing has been around for centuries. Ancient Egyptian women delivered babies who were destined to become royalty by water birth. Women from indigenous tribes around the world have traditionally entered the shallow ocean or river waters to help ease labor pain and delivery. Water births are still widely practiced in Europe and are gaining popularity in the West. Laboring in water offers hydrotherapy benefits for mother and child. One Canadian study showed 100% of women who birthed in water used no pain medication. (Women who choose water birth are less likely to want drugs in any case.) Midwives say that birthing in water reduces pain by 20-80% for women. It is so effective that the term “aquadural” is popular among midwives as the natural alternative to an epidural.

Water creates a sense of weightlessness, so a laboring women’s muscles don’t have to work so hard at supporting her. Water also relaxes the pelvic floor muscles, decreasing birth canal injuries and the need for episiotomy. Birthing pain and pressure is reduced, and water birth labors tend to be shorter, provided a woman waits long enough before entering the water. (Most doulas suggest waiting until the cervix is dilated to 4-5 centimeters before entering the birthing pool. Entering the water prior to this may actually prolong labor.) Hot water from the birthing pool improves circulation to all the organs, especially the uterus, helping to protect the baby against fetal stress. Experts feel that transitioning from the womb into the world is easier for babies surrounded by warm water.

Many expectant moms worry their  baby will attempt to breathe during a water birth. Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International, says this is highly unlikely. The trigger to start a newborn breathing is contact with air on its face.  While the baby is submerged, it is still connected to the umbilical cord and receiving oxygen just as it did in the womb.  Still, water birth attendants insist a women’s legs and hips be completely immersed in water during the birth process. If she is partly out of water, the baby may breathe in both air and water, increasing risk for lung problems.  (If the baby is in distress, a water birth may not be a good option.) Other moms worry about the temperature of the water and how it might affect the baby. The temperature of the water is kept to about 98 degrees, normally well tolerated by mother and child. Higher temperatures can be exhausting for the mother and dangerous for the baby. During a water birth (or any birth), staying well hydrated is important, particularly if your labor is long lasting and you’re in the water a long time.

Hone births and water births attended by a qualified midwife can be a good option for uncomplicated pregnancies. Many new moms and dads who choose water or home births feel empowered by the calm and personal setting. Some insurance companies will cover home birth expenses with in-network providers, but others do not.  Check to see what your insurance options are. If you choose to have a home or water birth, have a back up plan ready to go to a hospital with maternity and NICU units quickly if necessary. Note: Unless you have a very experienced midwife and live within a few minutes ride to hospital, home births or water births are not the best choice for high risk pregnancies.

-Sarah

What about Cesarean sections (C-Section)?

Here's an excerpt from my book, Do You Want To Have A Baby? on C-sections. C-sections are more and more prevalent today and any woman preparing for a child needs information on what to expect if they should need or request a C-section.

A C-section is a surgical child delivery performed by cutting an incision into the abdomen and the uterus, where the baby and the placenta are then retrieved by surgeons. Surprisingly, some women are choosing C-section deliveries today because they want the convenience of  “scheduling” childbirth. In addition, many women want to bypass the pain of labor and vaginal childbirth, and potential problems like vaginal tears, urinary or fecal incontinence or stretched tissues. Randomized studies on women who get elective C-sections are currently underway, but the results are not yet available.

Here’s what we know so far: A C-section delivery is major surgery and is more complicated with a longer recovery time for the mother than a vaginal birth. Excessive blood loss and infection can result. It also presents drawbacks for the baby.  A major benefit of vaginal delivery is that an newborn’s respiratory system gets a boost as fluid in the lungs is squeezed out through the birth canal.

Babies delivered by C-section are more like to develop breathing problems like transient tachypnea (abnormally fast breathing) in the first few days after birth. C-section babies (even full term) are more likely to have respiratory distress requiring oxygen therapy. Most respiratory problems that occur after a C-section are transient in nature and can be managed with proper treatment. But, unless a C-section is medically necessary, as in the case of a placental disorder, a very large baby, breech presentation, or for a woman who has a very small pelvis, it puts unnecessary stress on mother and child.

The World Health Organization states that a C-section rate of over 15% is inappropriate. Today more than 1 in 4 babies are born through C-section. Vaginal delivery is still the preferred option for most women and their babies. Here are a few things to keep in mind about vaginal delivery:

1. Urinary or fecal incontinence after pregnancy is often the result of having multiple babies in a row or having a poorly performed episiotomy. New research shows incontinence rates of menopausal women who have delivered vaginally and those who have never given birth are very similar. Incontinence risk from uncomplicated vaginal delivery has been overstated.

2. Most vaginal tears heal fast; a women may not tear at all during childbirth, especially if she has been stretching her perineal tissues during her pregnancy. Women who learn to relax their vaginal muscles also have reduced tearing problems during delivery. Having support from a doula or midwife during the birthing process also helps reduce your risk of having an episiotomy or vaginal tears.

3. While the uterus never shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size, it does contract back to a normal, healthy size and vaginal muscles also recover quickly, especially if a woman has been practicing her Kegels.

I don't disparage anyone's personal choice or need to have a C-section, but I feel blessed that I did not need a C-section during my son's birth. It made the recovery process and caring for my newborn much easier.

-Sarah

All about Conceptions tea

Today in America, 20% of married couples of child-bearing age have trouble conceiving and completing a successful pregnancy. The fertility industry grosses a staggering $2 billion a year. While modern fertility treatments offer new hope for infertile couples, they do have drawbacks. In vitro fertilization is very expensive, may result in multiple pregnancies (or no pregnancy at all), and can increase cancer risk. Poor nutrition, chemical toxins and stress are at the base of many fertility problems. Further, hormone imbalance problems like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and fibroids routinely lead to infertility in women.

Who is Conceptions tea for?
• Women who want to support reproductive health through gentle, natural, non-invasive means.

How can Conceptions tea enhance your health program?

- Sea greens and whole herbs in the blend are loaded with B vitamins; EFA’s; and critical minerals like calcium, silica, magnesium and iodine to shore up nutrient supply and establish a body environment favorable for conception.
- Red raspberry is a nutritive, astringent herb that helps prepare the uterus for healthy conception.

A good diet and lifestyle is critical for at least six months before trying to conceive for both partners. Nature tries in every way possible to insure the survival of a new life. In addition, drinking gentle, whole herb tea provides ideal support for a mother-to-be. Conceptions tea is rich in herbal nutrients that nourish and tone the female reproductive system, and can calm stress reactions that disrupt your conception efforts.

Conceptions tea can help give your body a gentle nudge, so your own little miracle can take place.

-Sarah