ZukaBaby

Herbs and natural remedies aren’t just for “crunchy granola” families, especially not during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a wondrous time period in a woman’s life, but it can also be an uncomfortable one. Despite the additional aches and pains, expectant mamas are limited in the types of prescription and over-the-counter medications they can use since most drugs have side effects for mom and baby. That is why pregnancy is a great time to incorporate “alternative” types of care into your life, no matter your beliefs about conventional medicine. Seeking relief without nasty side effects? Herbs, tinctures, acupuncture, massage, yoga, and other natural remedies are your answer!

Unfortunately, not too many folks know where to get reliable information about natural remedies. Your physician probably does not know much about these techniques (though you should always get their “okay” before trying something). And your hospital prenatal classes are definitely not going to cover any of this (though you should still take the classes to learn about hospital procedures during labor).

That is why, we—the birthmark doula collective— have decided to launch a new childbirth education series with a focus on natural remedies. Starting in 2012, we will be co-teaching our childbirth classes with the herbalists of Maypop Herb Shop at their cozy little store (1036 Franklin Avenue). We’ll still cover all the basics—Prenatal Prep, Labor 101, Breastfeeding, and New Baby Care. But we have two whole classes dedicated solely to Comfort Measures for Labor and Herbs for Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum. These classes are not just for people who want a natural birth either; anyone is welcome! But if you want to learn how to use herbs, labor positions, relaxation, and other methods to improve you and your baby’s health outcomes, this is the class for you!

Top 10 Ways to Incorporate herbs and natural remedies into your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum:

1. Raspberry Leaf tea to tone uterus in preparation for efficient labor and postpartum healing
2. Keep away those pesky yeast infections with probiotics and natural inserts
3. Stop the dizzies/ nausea with ginger chews, protein snacks, or sea bands
4. Get your cervix soften with some evening primrose oil (and then use it to keep your flow regular postpartum).
5. Use positioning for a more efficient labor.
6. Get labor going naturally with nipple stimulation, herbs,  squats.
7. Lower your anxiety with soothing scents, massage techniques, and teas.
8. Minimize back labor pains with counter-pressure.
9. Bust the baby blues with your encapsulated placenta pills.
10. Take a soothing sitz bath to heal your bottom post-delivery.

But we’re not gonna spill all the secrets! Sign up for “Belly Talks,” our childbirth series on your body, belly, and baby. Visit www.birthmarkdoulas.com for more information.

Written by Latona Giwa.  Latona is a birth doula and childbirth educator with Birthmark Doulas as well as Director of Southeast Louisiana BirthNetwork.