Herbs and Supplements can be used safely by pregnant women but do use common sense.  If there are any questions or concerns, please see your health practitioner before beginning. (See Disclaimer below)

 
Before, During, and After Pregnancy Nutritional Program

Nature's Prenatal can be taken every day by any woman of childbearing age who is sexually active. It contains enough Folic Acid to help prevent the birth defect, Spinabifida. Nature's Prenatal contains Ginger to help with nausea but an additional calcium supplement is suggested.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent major birth defects such as neural tube defects to the brain or spine.  It should be taken daily both before and during pregnancy.  This can be taken in a multi vitamin that contains 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid (CDC, n.d.).  Most prenatal supplements contain at least 600 mcg per day of folic acid. This is the amount recommended for pregnant women (MyPyramid.gov, 2008).

Vitamin D3:  In utero and during childhood, vitamin D deficiency can cause growth retardation and skeletal deformities, and may increase the risk of hip fracture later in life (Holick, 2007).  Low maternal vitamin D levels may have an impact on fetal brain maturation, given that vitamin D is also involved in development and functioning of the nervous system (Misra et al., 2008).  Vitamin D deficiency also puts a pregnant woman at high risk for preeclampsia (Bodnar et al., 2007).

Adequate vitamin D levels in pregnancy are thought to offer protective factors in reducing risk of schizophrenia in the child (Misra et al., 2008).

Vitamin D in sufficient states in the mother and infant are thought to be associated with a lower risk of bipolar disorder (Misra et al., 2008).

Omega-3 EFA is necessary for optimum development of the brain and nervous system of the unborn developing baby.  Adequate intake also helps with longer gestational periods with decreased risk of negative consequences including prematurity, preeclampsia, and cerebral palsy (Freeman et al., 2006).

Iron is needed by pregnant women for the increasing amount of blood in their bodies. Iron helps keep the blood healthy, able to carry oxygen to cells, and to avoid anemia.  Baby needs iron stores in his or her body to last through the first few months of life.  Prenatal supplements usually contain 27 mg per day which is the amount recommended for pregnant women (MyPyramid.gov).

Skeletal Strength is a good calcium supplement that contains ingredients to enhance absorption. If you don’t have enough calcium and trace elements for your baby, it affects your own hair and teeth. Sufficient calcium is helpful for preventing pre-eclampsia, or toxemia, a serious complication of pregnancy. Leg cramps or muscle spasms at any time are a sure sign of calcium deficiency.

Red Raspberry (considered the woman's herb). Taken throughout the entire pregnancy, it helps strengthen the uterus and is beneficial to the entire reproductive system. It helps coordinate uterine contractions in childbirth. It helps decrease the chances of a miscarriage and for premature babies, helping the mother carry full-term.

Red Raspberry, Papya Mint chewable tablets, alfalfa, or Nausea Homeopathic Drops For nausea and morning sickness.

Protein everyday is essential to prevent toxemia. Use SynerProTein drink 1-2 times daily between meals.

Vitamin C is shown to prevent pre-eclampsia.

Use digestive enzymes such as Proactozyme to assure good digestion of your food, particularly proteins.

Formula 5-W is suggested for a less complicated and faster delivery. It should be started FIVE weeks before scheduled due date. For THREE weeks take (8) capsules each day, for the last TWO weeks take (12) capsules each day. You will need four bottles to complete this program. The herbs contained in this formula strengthen the uterus.

Other Beneficial Supplements

Herbal Trace Minerals (Combination of Alfalfa, Kelp, and Dandelion)

o       Alfalfa-North American Indians adopted alfalfa for human use and thought it helpful for every condition in the body.

o       Kelp-A natural source of iodine which feeds the thyroid gland and contains many trace minerals.

o       Dandelion-Used by early Arabian physicians. Contains vitamin A and many trace minerals. Believed to have a beneficial effect on female organs and the kidneys.

 Rose Hips - A nutritive herb because of its high content of Vit.C, Vit.E, organic iron, calcium, and B-complex, which are all needed during pregnancy.

Red Raspbery - World famous Quaker herbalist Henry Boxsays "a tea made from red raspberry is the best gift God ever gave to women." It strengthens and acts as a tonic for the whole body, thus making child-birth easier.

Yellow Dock - One of the best blood builders in the herb kingdom. Known to stimulate elimination and is rich in easily digestible iron.  Helpful for avoiding jaundice in baby.

Papaya Mints - Contains Papaon, an enzyme that breaks down protein food to a digestible state.

Ginger - Beneficial for nausea.

LOCLO - A safe, gentle bulk to prevent constipation during pregnancy.

False Unicorn - This herb tones the reproductive organs by strengthening the muscles of the uterus, and has been historically used for all types of complications during pregnancy including to help prevent miscarriage.

**Recipe for stretch marks - blend 1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel, contents of 8 capsules Vitamin E, contents of 6 capsules Vitamin A&D, 1 cup Olive Oil.  Apply to skin.  Store in refrigerator.

During Labor

Red Raspberry  used while in labor to make it easier and help prevent excessive bleeding.

Vitamin E - taken every hour while having contractions. It supplies oxygen for the baby if there's fetal distress.

APS II is a combination which can be used for pain or try Pain Homeopathic.

Combine 1 oz. (2 tablespoons) of Massage Oil with 15 drops Clary Sage, rub on the abdomen and back to relieve pain very effectively.

Tranquility Essential Oil combined with massage oil (7 drops per tablespoon of oil) can be rubbed on the feet and pulse points of the wrist to help relax during labor.

Lobelia Essence can be rubbed on the back and abdomen for relaxation.

Post-Delivery Nutritional Program

APS II (take 3 or 4 all at once) to help alleviate after-pain if needed.

Capsicum right after delivery to help stop bleeding.

Vitamin C and Magnesium, which the baby will get from breast milk if enough of these nutrients are taken, prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

While breast feeding:

 o       Continue to take a calcium/ magnesium combination such as Skeletal Strength which has a higher amount of magnesium than most calcium supplements.

o       Citrus Bioflavonoids will supply the Vitamin C.

o       Be sure to continue with Super Supplemental or Nature's Prenatal to insure that you get adequate vitamins and minerals for feeding yourself and your baby during these busy days when you might not eat as well as you need to.

o       Folic Acid should also be continued as the baby will draw that from your milk and will leave you deficient if you don't have enough in your diet.

 o       For richer milk use Fennel (makes the baby less fussy). Blessed Thistle, and Marshmallow.  These increase the quantity of milk.

o       Parsley and Sage will help dry up milk when you no longer wish to breastfeed.

POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION is a sign of progesterone deficiency. Use Pro-G-Yam Cream twice daily along with Wild Yam & Chaste Tree capsules to prevent or help this problem. Also, keep carbohydrates to a minimum, emphasizing protein and fresh fruits and vegetables. Junk foods and excess carbohydrates, which turn to sugar in your body, can cause depression.

Butcher's Broom - Native Americans have used this herb for varicose veins, etc. because it has a "sweeping effect" on the buildup in the veins. Has been said to help in bringing the uterus to normalcy because of the "drawing" effect.

Red Raspberry will also help tone the uterus.

HERBS NOT TO BE USED, OR USED WITH CAUTION:

Angelica Eucalyptus oil Male Fern Poke Root Wild Ginger

Cinchona Juniper Mistletoe Rue Wormwood

Coffee Lovage Mugwort Shepherd's Purse Yarrow

Dong Quai Ma Huang (ephedra) Pennyroyal Tansy

Supplements to help Baby

 

Disclaimer

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided by The Herb Peddler is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. We at The Herb Peddler are not responsible for the results of your decisions resulting from the use of the information, including, but not limited to, your choosing to seek or not to seek professional medical care, or from choosing or not choosing specific treatment based on the information. If you have any medical health care questions, please consult a professional medical provider.

 If more natural health information is needed, please contact me at herbpeddler@aol.com

 

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References Bodnar, L.M., Catov, J.M., Simhan, H.N., Holick, M.F., Powers, R.W., and Roberts, J.M. (2007). Maternal vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of preeclampsia. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism, 92. 3517-3522. CDC - Pregnancy, Before You Get Pregnant - NCBDDD. (n.d.). . Retrieved November 21, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/before.html Colagar, A.H., Marzony, E.T., & Chaichi, M.J. (2009). Zinc levels in seminal plasma are associated with sperm quality in fertile and infertile men, Nutrition Research, 29(2), 82-88. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.11.007. Freeman, M.P., Hibbeln, J.R., Wisner, K.L., Davis, J.M., Mischoulon, D., Peet, M., Keck Jr., P.E., Marangell, L.B., Richardson, A.J., Lake, J., & Stoll, A.L. (2006). Omega-3 fatty acids: evidence basis for treatment and future research in psychiatry. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(12). 1954-1967. Holick, M.F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. 357, 266-281. Misra, M., Pacaud, D., Petryk, A., Collett-Solberg, P. F., Kappy, M., & on behalf of the Drug and Therapeutics Committee of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society. (2008). Vitamin D Deficiency in Children and Its Management: Review of Current Knowledge and Recommendations. Pediatrics, 122(2), 398-417. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-1894 United States. Department of Agriculture. MyPyramid.gov (2008). Dietary supplements. Retrieved November 23, 2010, from http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramidmoms/dietary_supplements_prenatal_print.html

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