Pregnancy Care
You've discovered you are pregnant! You are amazed and excited, a bit daunted and wondering how to provide your unborn baby with best possible start in life. Should you change your diet? Do you need nutritional supplements? How can you keep you stress levels low and remain calm and peaceful?
You may feel that you have a healthy, balanced diet, however, the high nutritional demands of pregnancy, the effects of morning sickness, undiagnosed allergies, heartburn, constipation, long term deficiencies, stress or other pre-existing conditions may mean that your intake of essential nutrients is inadequate to cope with the needs of both you and your growing baby. For example, studies have shown that about half of all pregnant women in NSW are iodine deficient. Iodine is essential for your baby's thyroid hormone and nervous system development. A simple test can determine if you are one of these women and then you can be provided with advice about how to remedy this deficiency. It is important not to self medicate - especially during pregnancy.
The naturopaths at the Darling Street Health Centre are here to answer your questions, discuss your concerns, provide you with advice and support and guide you through the unique joys and challenges of each trimester of your pregnancy.
Common Conditions of Pregnancy
Many of the common conditions in pregnancy are signs of specific nutritional deficiency and may be easily remedied with supplemental support. Your practitioner can assess your nutritional status and prescribe appropriate supplementation. It is important not to self medicate - especially during pregnancy.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is a problem that usually occurs in the few months of pregnancy due to increased hormone levels. Eating small, regular, protein-containing meals and drinking ginger tea and taking vitamin B6 often help. Other supplements or appropriate herbal medicine can be prescribed as needed.
Heartburn
Increased levels of progesterone reduce the effectiveness of the valve above the stomach. Small, regular meals, avoiding spicy or fatty foods and not lying down after meals may reduce these symptoms. Drinking herbal teas such as chamomile, fennel or peppermint before meals, may also be effective.
Constipation
Eating lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains and drinking plenty of fresh, filtered water and other fluids can give relief from constipation, which is common in pregnancy. Slippery Elm powder can be taken in capsule or powder form and mixed with yoghurt, banana or oat porridge. Regular, gentle exercise is also important.
Vaginal Thrush
Thrush is caused by a fungus known as Candida. Eating a good-quality natural yoghurt and avoiding sugars and yeast in the diet can be used to prevent and also cure thrush. A probiotic supplement may also be recommended by your naturopath.
Muscle Cramps
Leg cramps often occur in the second half of pregnancy and while they mostly occur at night, may also happen during the day. Avoiding sitting with crossed legs, drinking plenty of fluids, gentle exercise and daily stretching may be useful. Lying on your left side when resting also helps by aiding circulation to the legs. Muscle cramps may also be due to nutritional deficiency, particularly magnesium. Your practitioner can check for deficiencies and recommend appropriate supplements.
Varicose veins/ Haemorrhoids
These issues occur due to the increased pressure put on the circulation by increased weight and your growing baby. Avoiding excessive weight gain and constipation will help avert these problems. Support stockings may be recommended. Foods such as blueberries and vitamin C supplements with bioflavenoids can help strengthen the blood vessel walls. Herbal medicines may also be appropriate.
Fluid Retention
Fluid retention affects more than 50 per cent of pregnant women. It usually occurs in the feet, legs and hands and is worse at the end of the day. It can also be associated with high blood pressure so, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Avoiding long periods of standing without moving, limiting salt intact and ensuring there is adequate potassium in the diet can all alleviate this problem. High potassium foods include legumes, bananas, spinach, almonds, fish, beef and chicken. Keep drinking LOTS of water. Some very effective herbal teas can be prescribed.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly during pregnancy. Tell your practitioner if you have a history of hypertension or pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy so that a preventative regime can be devised. Avoid salt and stress, drink plenty of fluids and ensure you get adequate rest and relaxation.
Allergies
If one or both parents suffer from allergies such as eczema, asthma, hayfever, sinusitis or food allergy, your unborn baby has a high chance of inheriting these genetic predispositions. Appropriate supplements and maternal immune support during pregnancy can significantly reduce the onset and severity of allergies in your child.
Preparing for Labour
Preparing your body for the birthing process needs to commence at around 34 weeks. Your practitioner will prescribe a specific combination of wonderful, herbal teas and liquids to assist your body to prepare for labour. Homeopathics and Bach Flower remedies may also be prescribed for use during labour. Remedies are also available for use in the case of delayed or stalled labour.
After your baby is born...
The naturopaths at the Darling Street Health Centre will continue our care for you and your baby after the birth and right through childhood. You will always have a listening ear, professional and caring advice and someone to answer the many questions you will have as you undertake the rewarding and sometimes challenging task of being a parent.
