| A rush of emotions. A little stick. Will it be pink! Or | | | | weeks before the scheduled due date. This |
| blue? Who should you tell first? What do you do | | | | product will help to tone the uterus and shorten |
| now? | | | | the duration of labor. |
| Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience that is | | | | Common ailments and natural alternatives |
| full of excitement and love and anxiety and | | | | Sometimes our best efforts aren't enough and |
| tension. There are a lot of decisions to be made | | | | we end up getting sick or having other problems |
| and you must face the realization (whether it's | | | | that need to be addressed during this delicate |
| your first or your 12th) that life will never be the | | | | time. Because anything that you take will also |
| same. | | | | affect your growing baby, it's best to use safe, |
| Once you have the details of the actual delivery, | | | | natural alternatives whenever possible. |
| the who (midwife or doctor), what (your baby), | | | | For almost all of the following, the best natural |
| where (home birth, birthing clinic or hospital) and | | | | prevention is water. Pregnant women need far |
| when (determining your due date) down, you can | | | | more of it than the average adult. Be sure you |
| get on with making sure that baby has the best | | | | have water with you every where you go and |
| possible beginning even before you give birth. | | | | drink it by the gallon. |
| Nutrition will be one of the keys to help you to | | | | Allergies and sinus congestion - Fenugreek may |
| keep your growing baby healthy and safe while | | | | assist by acting as a mild laxative (opening the |
| still in your womb. And an extra bonus will be | | | | bowels to flush the irritants and mucus) and by |
| helping you to keep up your energy and | | | | reducing mucus secretions. A side benefit of |
| minimizing the unpleasant effects of carrying your | | | | fenugreek is that it promotes lactation in nursing |
| little one inside of you. | | | | women. |
| If you have a craving, indulge it. If you can't eat | | | | Back pain - See a good chiropractor and use rice |
| something, don't worry about it. The body has | | | | pillows to ease the pain. |
| different needs during this time and those needs | | | | Bladder Infections - Use cranberry supplements |
| show themselves in various ways. It's a | | | | daily as a preventative if you are prone to |
| temporary situation and nothing to be concerned | | | | bladder infections. Should you contract a bladder |
| about. | | | | infection during pregnancy, you could increase |
| Prenatal Vitamins - While many multiple vitamins | | | | your dosage of cranberry and add colloidal silver, |
| have the necessary quantities of vitamins and | | | | a natural antibiotic. Be sure to do this at the very |
| minerals for an average adult, prenatal vitamins | | | | first sign of the infection as bladder infections that |
| have the increased quantities of those vitamins | | | | reach the kidneys may increase the risk of |
| most important during this precious time. In | | | | preterm labor. |
| addition, some prenatal vitamins have added the | | | | Colds - Echinacea is a safe alternative that can be |
| herb Ginger to help with morning sickness. | | | | used during pregnancy. Sip on Echinacea tea or |
| Calcium and Magnesium - These minerals are | | | | take a few capsules several times a day. Another |
| important during pregnancy for a number of | | | | herb that may be effective is Olive Leaf. Of |
| reasons. If you don't have enough calcium to | | | | course, don't forget to increase your vitamin C. |
| provide to your baby as he begins to form bones | | | | Constipation and hemorrhoids - This sometimes |
| and teeth, your body will naturally compensate by | | | | occurs due to the extra iron in prenatal vitamins. |
| pulling these critical minerals from your own teeth | | | | While it is generally not safe to take a laxative |
| and hair. This is why many women get more | | | | during pregnancy, there are some things you can |
| cavities and have brittle, dull hair during pregnancy. | | | | do. Increase magnesium. Magnesium is a natural |
| In addition, adequate levels of calcium may | | | | muscle relaxant and will help to relax the sphincter |
| prevent preeclampsia during late pregnancy. Of | | | | muscle that allows for proper elimination. Increase |
| course, there is the added benefit of avoiding | | | | fiber. Often, due to cravings or specific food |
| excess leg or muscle cramps, common in | | | | aversions during pregnancy, women don't get |
| pregnant women. | | | | enough fiber. Supplement if needed. Exercise may |
| Red Raspberry - This herb is commonly known | | | | also help. |
| as the woman's herb and can be taken | | | | Insomnia - Valerian root acts as a natural sedative |
| throughout pregnancy. It has been used | | | | and may be just enough to help induce sleep. |
| traditionally to strengthen the uterus and help | | | | Nausea - Ginger or peppermint tea can be very |
| women carry full-term reducing the chances of | | | | helpful here. Also try aloe vera juice. |
| premature birth. | | | | This is a time of joy but it may take a little extra |
| 5-W - This is an herbal combination by Nature's | | | | strength and willpower to stick to your desire to |
| Sunshine Products. Many mothers and midwife's | | | | stay natural. Just remember, the less toxins you |
| insist they would not deliver without it. 5-W (five | | | | put into your body, the healthier your baby will be. |
| weeks) should be taken during the last five | | | | |