We've had some sickness in our house as of late. Some blog posts that I started, lay unfinished, but I am trying to get those finished and posted now.
It's not easy dealing with cold & sinus, or any other symptoms while expecting! For one thing, every ache and pain seems to be magnified times ten, and for another, an expectant mother can't take just anything for her ailment.
Even when I am not pregnant, I prefer to use herbs and home remedies to treat illnesses, and there are so many wonderful alternatives to harmful medicines and antibiotics.
For sinusitis, colds and flu: The steam from a very warm bath or shower helps moisturize irritated or stuffy sinus passages, as does Vicks Vaporub. Drinking plenty of water, water with fresh lemon, and hot teas, helps to thin and loosen mucus and phlegm. Irrigating the sinuses with warm saline solution (1/2 tsp. plain salt dissolved in 1 cup warm water) sucked in through a straw helps a LOT. Garlic is an excellent natural antibiotic, and can be chopped finely and swallowed with a spoonful of raw honey, or steeped in hot water for Garlic Lemonade. (Recipe for that HERE.)
For indigestion: Indigestion is caused by an acid/base imbalance in the stomach. For an acid stomach, a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water will bring quick relief. When lack of digestive acids is the problem, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water should do the trick. Not sure which to try? I would suggest trying the baking soda first, because acid stomach is most common.
For body aches and pains: What pregnant woman doesn't experience this? It can be a pain in the neck (or lower back, or hip...), but popping pain pills is not the best option when carrying a wee one. Make sure you are getting extra rest not only at night, but also during the day. And check your sleeping posture: try to keep your shoulders and hips lined up with a pillow between your knees. Hot water works wonders for an achey body, as does massage, should you be blessed enough to have a willing masseuse. Arnica gel has worked for me on sore muscles.
What natural remedies have you discovered, that have been a help to you? I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Showing posts with label fit and healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fit and healthy. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Prenatal care at home
Since we started having our babies at home, the next natural step was learning to take care of myself at home. Keeping a journal of the pregnancy is a good way to do this. In the journal, I keep track of my weight gain, fundal height, any symptoms I experience, and fetal movement, as well as new things I learn along the way and personal events I might want to remember. I try to take note of these things on or around the same day of each month.
Ideally, blood pressure should be monitored, but I don't have the equipment for that. (In the U.S., one could just go to a pharmacy or even the grocery store to check blood pressure!) Also, if I had a fetoscope, I would record baby's heartbeat. I'm not too concerned about those things, though, as long as I am feeling good, and the baby's movements are normal.
I know there are a whole bunch of tests that the doctor likes to give you, but most of those tests are unnecessary. If you may have been exposed to an STD, or might have a child with a defect and would abort the baby if so, then some tests might be needful. If you don't know your blood type, or are at risk for measles or chicken pox, you might wish to have some tests done at the doctor's office.
Tests for gestational diabetes and urinalysis strips can be bought at pharmacies or online. I have considered buying those, but just haven't done it yet. Going on past pregnancy experience, I know my blood sugar runs low, as do my iron levels, so I compensate for that with an appropriate diet.
While home prenatal care isn't for everyone, especially not for women with high-risk pregnancies, I think most can do a fine job taking care of themselves at home if they choose to do so.
Ideally, blood pressure should be monitored, but I don't have the equipment for that. (In the U.S., one could just go to a pharmacy or even the grocery store to check blood pressure!) Also, if I had a fetoscope, I would record baby's heartbeat. I'm not too concerned about those things, though, as long as I am feeling good, and the baby's movements are normal.
I know there are a whole bunch of tests that the doctor likes to give you, but most of those tests are unnecessary. If you may have been exposed to an STD, or might have a child with a defect and would abort the baby if so, then some tests might be needful. If you don't know your blood type, or are at risk for measles or chicken pox, you might wish to have some tests done at the doctor's office.
Tests for gestational diabetes and urinalysis strips can be bought at pharmacies or online. I have considered buying those, but just haven't done it yet. Going on past pregnancy experience, I know my blood sugar runs low, as do my iron levels, so I compensate for that with an appropriate diet.
While home prenatal care isn't for everyone, especially not for women with high-risk pregnancies, I think most can do a fine job taking care of themselves at home if they choose to do so.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Strengthening the Postpartum Tummy
I know it seems very early to be addressing this topic, but I still have "mummy tummy" from the last baby I carried! I am also interested in strengthening my tummy muscles now so that they are more prepared for the task ahead. Last pregnancy I experienced some discomfort as a result of my flaccid abdominal muscles, so I hope to be better prepared this time for the last trimester and for postpartum recovery.
Since birth #2 or 3, I have had a gap in the middle of my abdominal muscles that has grown a little with each pregnancy. (It's called abdominal separation, or more technically, diastasis recti.) Now I can easily put two fingertips into the gap. If you want to check your own abdominal muscles, you can do this:
When I first started seeking information about this, the first thing I learned was that everything I had tried before was all wrong! Crunches and bends do nothing to close the gap, and can actually cause harm. I almost hurt myself doing these exercises last time, and they didn't seem to help shape me up at all.
Now I know that exercises like crunches and sit-ups only work the outer layer of abdominal muscles (the "six-pack" layer). What needs to happen is a slower process of strengthening and shortening the inner, foundational layers before working the outer ones. If you are in the postpartum stage, and even months or years postpartum, it might be helpful to seek out one of those workout methods that involve "core" strengthening. These tend to include exercises that have slow, controlled motions that work the inner muscle layers.
As for me, I am approaching the 12th week of pregnancy, and will not be starting any new exercise regimen. Instead, I'm concentrating on just tightening those core abdominal muscles, holding them in as I go about daily activities. Shoulders centered, erect posture, and a tight abdomen just while I'm working or walking about seem to be helping already.
Since birth #2 or 3, I have had a gap in the middle of my abdominal muscles that has grown a little with each pregnancy. (It's called abdominal separation, or more technically, diastasis recti.) Now I can easily put two fingertips into the gap. If you want to check your own abdominal muscles, you can do this:
Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat. Place the fingers of one hand across your middle just above your navel, and the other hand under your head for support. Slowly curl your head and chest toward your navel, using stomach muscles and not neck muscles to do it. As you do, feel across your abs with your fingertips. Is there a dip in the middle? Is it two or more fingertips wide? Do you have a small mound protruding in the middle? If so, that is abdominal separation. You have plenty of company! It occurs pretty frequently for women at the end of pregnancies because of the expanding uterus within and because the connective tissue in the middle was softened by pregnancy hormones.
When I first started seeking information about this, the first thing I learned was that everything I had tried before was all wrong! Crunches and bends do nothing to close the gap, and can actually cause harm. I almost hurt myself doing these exercises last time, and they didn't seem to help shape me up at all.
Now I know that exercises like crunches and sit-ups only work the outer layer of abdominal muscles (the "six-pack" layer). What needs to happen is a slower process of strengthening and shortening the inner, foundational layers before working the outer ones. If you are in the postpartum stage, and even months or years postpartum, it might be helpful to seek out one of those workout methods that involve "core" strengthening. These tend to include exercises that have slow, controlled motions that work the inner muscle layers.
As for me, I am approaching the 12th week of pregnancy, and will not be starting any new exercise regimen. Instead, I'm concentrating on just tightening those core abdominal muscles, holding them in as I go about daily activities. Shoulders centered, erect posture, and a tight abdomen just while I'm working or walking about seem to be helping already.
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