Natural health during pregnancy
In a general sense, taking a more ‘natural’ approach to your health during your pregnancy is to be applauded.
It’s common sense that taking lots of painkillers or antibiotics over the course of the nine months should be avoided if possible. However, it is important to recognize that although they may be described as ‘natural’ certain herbs, essential oils and therapies are not safe for use in pregnancy. Don’t let this put you off investigating alternate therapies and remedies though – there are benefits to be had in approaching your pregnancy from a ‘natural’ perspective, and there’s a wide range of treatments that will be suitable for you. Do always take the precaution of consulting a qualified practitioner with experience in treating pregnant women, and tell your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils to help balance the body, physically and emotionally. It claims to help with pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, stretch marks, varicose veins, back pain, stress, anxiety, and even with your delivery. Certainly, the right combination of oils blended to make a massage oil can be very relaxing and uplifting.
There are certain oils that must NOT be used during pregnancy though, as they could (in extreme cases) induce a miscarriage and for this reason, an experienced practitioner should always be consulted for advice. As a rule you need to avoid aniseed, basil, camphor, caraway, clary sage, fennel, hyssop, jasmine, juniperberry, marjoram, myrrh, nutmeg, parsley, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thuja, thyme and wintergreen. In the first trimester, avoid chamomile, frankincense, geranium, melissa and rose.
Acupuncture
This involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to rebalance energy flow through the body. Although it’s unclear exactly how it works, there’s evidence it can benefit various health problems. In pregnancy it can help with morning sickness, heartburn,constipation, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. A version of acupuncture called moxibustion has proven effective in encouraging breech babies to turn.
Homeopathy
This works on the principle that ‘like treats like’ – an illness is treated with a medicine that could produce similar symptoms in a healthy person. It is safe due to the highly diluted form these medicines take. Many women find they respond well to homeopathy and that it helps to relieve symptoms such as morning sickness, heartburn, constipation, cramping and headaches, as well as keeping their emotional state under control.
Reflexology
Reflexology involves massaging pressure points on the feet to release blockages and balance the body’s energies. An experienced practitioner can help to ease tension, improve circulation and boost your immune system, encouraging your body to heal itself. In pregnancy it may help with anxiety, stress, morning sickness, headaches and circulation problems.
Herbs
Herbs can be an effective way of tackling morning sickness, skin problems, hormone imbalances, indigestion and other common pregnancy complaints. For example, raspberry leaf can be taken as a tea from 32 weeks of pregnancy on to help strengthen the uterus and research has showed that second stage labor is shorter for women who do this.
There are many herbs that should be avoided during pregnancy because some of them may stimulate the uterus and bring on contractions (which could in extreme circumstances set off a miscarriage or preterm labor). For this reason, you should always consult an experienced herbalist. Some herbs to be avoided include black cohosh, comfrey, feverfew, goldenseal, juniper, marigold, pennyroyal, sage, wild yam and yarrow.
Helpful organizations
The following organizations have online therapist locaters.
• Aromatherapy Registration Councilhttp://www.aromatherapycouncil.org/
• North American Society of Homeopathshttp://www.homeopathy.org/.
• Reflexology Association of Americahttp://www.reflexology-usa.org/.
• American Herbalists Guildhttp://www.americanherbalist.com/
• American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicinehttp://www.aaaomonline.org/
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 09/06/2008