Useful Herbs During Pregnancy

As many as 10% of obstetrical patients use herbs during pregnancy, but in our experience midwifery clients are much more likely to use herbs and alternative medicines.  We have included some basic herbal guidelines for you. Remember that any common herb you use for cooking is likely just fine in the amounts used in cooking.  A good example is Basil.  Basil, even pesto, is fine, but basil essential oil is contraindicated.  Rosemary, garlic, sage, oregano, turmeric, are also good examples of herbs that are safe in cooking, but not in supplement amounts.

These are herbs that will help the mother and baby in the early development stages:

Black Haw— used in the early stages of pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage.

Blessed Thistle— used in the latter stages of pregnancy as a liver tonic and builder, as well as a stimulant of blood flow to the mammaries, and used to increase milk production, also reduces hemorrhaging during childbirth.

Chamomile— lifts spirits and calms the nerves, used for digestive disorders during pregnancy, is combined with ginger to help morning sickness, and has a high calcium content as well as an anti-inflammatory aid.

Dandelion— greens and root— a high source of vitamins and minerals, aids digestion, nourishes, and tones the system, diuretic, useful for fatigue and exhaustion, liver booster.

Echinacea— safe for 7-10 days to boost immunity. 1 tsp tincture 2x/day.

Ginger Root— used for morning sickness and digestive problems, safe during pregnancy for treating colds, sore throats, and congestion.  No more than 1 gram of dried ginger a day, preferably 250mg taken 4x/day.

Kelp— high in vitamins and minerals, aids thyroid

Nettle Leaf— rich in many vitamins and minerals, especially iron, so it is very useful for those suffering from chronic fatigue and exhaustion due to low iron, aids in enriching and stimulating flow of milk; good for use throughout all stages of the pregnancy

Red Raspberry Leaf— tones and nourishes the uterine muscles, rich in vitamins and minerals, enriches and increases milk flow, restores the system after childbirth, good for the entire pregnancy.

Peppermint— used to reduce nausea and vomiting.  Peppermint tea is safe in normal doses, however, be aware that 1 drop of peppermint essential oil has as much power as 30 cups of tea and is not recommended without supervision.

Spirulina— high in vitamins and nutrients

Herbs to avoid or use with caution during pregnancy:

Angelica— stimulates suppressed enstruation
Black Cohosh— uterine stimulant— mostly used during labor
Blue Cohosh— A stronger uterine stimulant
Borage oil— a uterine stimulant— use only during the last few days of pregnancy
Comfrey— can cause liver problems in mother and fetus— use only briefly, externally only, for treating sprains and strains
Dong Quai—may stimulate bleeding
Fenugreek— uterine relaxant
Goldenseal— too powerful an antibiotic for the developing fetus, also should not be used if nursing
Henbane— highly toxic
Horsetail— to high in silica for the developing fetus
Licorice Root— can create water retention and/or elevated blood pressure with extended use. OK for short periods of time for sore throats if no high blood pressure present
Motherwort— stimulates suppressed menstruation
Mugwort— can be a uterine stimulant
Nutmeg— can cause miscarriage in large doses
Pennyroal Leaf— stimulates uterine contractions (NOTE: Pennyroyal essential oil should not be used by pregnant women at any time!)— do not handle if pregnant or nursing
Rue— strong expellant
Shepherd’s Purse— used only for hemorrhaging during/after childbirth
Uva Ursi— removes too much blood sugar during pregnancy and nursing
Yarrow— uterine stimulant

If you would like more information on herbs during pregnancy, please use respected resources.

www.avivaromm.com

www.susandweed.com

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/

Excerpts from www.thebuikherbstore.com, with modifications from www.avivaromm.com

10 Things RVA First-Time Moms Can Do To Reduce Stress

Photo Credit: Bumpbirthandbabyphotography.com

I love first-time moms.  I love their bright eyes, their curiosity, their eagerness to do everything “just right”.  I love their excitement about shopping for the nursery, and their nervousness about labor.  I love the honor of being the one to guide them through the most transformative and intense periods of their lives.

But, with all that excitement comes a level of stress and worry that really doesn't serve them well.  It bogs them down as they search Google and Babycenter,  trying to find the “right” answers.

If first-time moms could just know...

1.         Because of your great love for the new life growing inside you, everything seems tied to the pregnancy. But that twinge in your left toe?  Probably not because of the baby.

2.         Tell everyone your due date is a week later than it actually is.  The average first-time mom in America gives birth 10 days after their due date (if they are not induced before then!)  Add a week and save yourself all those “Are you still pregnant?!” calls.

3.         The mucous plug?  I'm sorry to break this to you, but it means...nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  It can come out, and it can still be weeks until labor.  Now, if it comes with bright red bloody show...we may be in business!

4.         On the signs of labor...nesting, diarrhea, nausea, twinges, cramps?  You've been misled.  These are not signs of labor.  Not yet. They can be signs that labor may come in the next day, or two, or 10...but not yet.  This is also true of cervical checks in the last few weeks.  You can be 4 cm or 0 cm, and no one can predict when labor will start.  No one.

5.         Prodromal labor can last days, and days, and days.  This is the time when you may have a few hours of contractions, and yes, they may be intense, but they are still spaced out and they go away with rest, or a warm bath, or a dose of magnesium (Calm Magnesium Supplement is magic and I recommend all my clients have it on hand)  You've heard of midwives or doctor telling a mom to have a glass of wine and go to bed.  It's because they are pretty sure that mama is in prodromal labor. No worries, if it progresses into real labor, it will wake you up when it needs you.  I've never heard of a mom sleeping through her home birth. If you wake up and the sun is shining, then know your body did some work last night to get ready for the real thing.

6.         If you are asking yourself if it is labor, it is NOT LABOR.  When it is labor, you will not miss it. You will not be fooled into thinking it is Braxton Hicks, or indigestion, or something you ate.  It will grab your attention, and you will not longer have a single doubt in your mind that you.are.in.labor. Try to “not” be in labor until you have to be.  Ignore it.  Deny it. Say it IS indigestion.  Don't give in to it until you can't NOT give in to it.

7.         This brings me to when you are in labor.  Do not announce your labor on Facebook, or Twitter, or through a group email.  Do not put yourself on someone else's clock.  Not only is it distracting for you or the daddy to continually be answering inquiries, it gives all those people the ability to put in their opinion.  Is something wrong?  Has the baby come yet? Hasn't  it been too long?  Should you go to the hospital?  During birth, you need to relax, and you need to be fully supported by your partner.  Announce your baby, not the labor.

8.         You will be your most beautiful, and your most disheveled, in labor.  You will not care if your hair is done, or your lipstick is on.  Come ready to work hard, and we will freshen you up afterward. Athletes don't primp for triathlons, and mama, you are an athlete!

9.         The much-feared tear is more under your control than mine.  I can (and will!) use warm cloths, and oil, and perineal support, and all my other tricks...but really, studies tell us that none of it makes much difference.  You know what helps?  Perineal massage in the last 4-6 weeks, and slow, gentle pushing.  This allows those tissues to stretch.

10.   Your baby needs you.  Just...you.  And you need food and water.  Not a crib, a playpen, a swing, a vibrating seat, the perfect blankets and matching curtains, etc, etc, etc.  Mothers today are overwhelmed with all the things a new baby “needs”,  Here's the real deal: someway to wear your baby, diapers, a car seat and a safe place to sleep (which can be in bed with you!) All the rest is extra.  I'm not saying to not buy those adorable things.  Do it!  Enjoy!  It's exciting.  But, don't put yourself in debt.  Don't think your baby needs every gadget, every toy, every color shoes. Your baby will never know if he wears white onesies and sleeps in a laundry basket for the first 3 months (unless you tell him when he's older!)

So, Relax.  Enjoy.  Accept that 99% of what is going on is natural, and normal, and part of the process. Keep a “when to call the midwife” list on your frig, and know the warning signs of trouble, but don't go looking for it.   Have faith in your body and your baby.  Just like you knew how to conceive that baby, your body knows how to grow it, birth it, nurse it.  You're going to be a mama of a little one soon, and you're going to be brilliant!


- Corina Hossle
Founder, Clinical Director & Midwife

The Birth Center Difference

We'd love to answer any and all questions you may have about what kind of care our Birth Center, Midwives, and Doulas can provide for you!  We offer tours twice a week- Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm and Saturday mornings at 9 am.  We also offer lots of classes, workshops, and opportunities to meet our talented and trained staff. Check our calendar for daily events!  We know our care can make your birth experience everything you hope it will be!