Pregnancy is a good time to get out of
the habit of taking a pill for every
ache, pain, cold or flu. Many drugs,
even an aspirin or cold remedy, are not
safe for use during pregnancy. If in
doubt, check first with your doctor.
Many discomforts of pregnancy can be
handled through simple natural means,
without resort to drugs that can harm
the growing fetus.
Constipation
Drink six to eight glasses of pure
water a day.
Eat high fibre food such as fresh
fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Take one to two tablespoons of
unsulphured blackstrap molasses in warm
water once or twice a day (Be sure to
brush your teeth well afterwards).
Ground flax seed, two tablespoons in
water twice a day or metamucil
(psyllium seed powder) without sugar
are safe natural laxatives.
Walk or do aerobic exercises to promote
regular bowel movements.
Take magnesium with your calcium to
help as a muscle relaxant and laxative.
Heartburn
Eat slowly and chew your food
thoroughly to enable salivary enzymes
to work.
Drink fluids between meals instead of
with meals.
Avoid aluminum or sodium bicarbonate
antacids. Calcium is a natural antacid
used in doses of up to 1,200mg per day.
Magnesium should always be taken with
calcium at about half the dosage of the
calcium.
One teaspoon of slippery elm bark
powder mixed with honey or hot water
neutralizes stomach acidity and soothes
the stomach. Or take slippery elm
capsules or lozenges.
Morning Sickness
Eat small frequent meals high in
protein or complex carbohydrates.
Take 3 to 4 powdered ginger root
capsules with a glass of water, first
thing in the morning and repeat as
necessary three to four times a day.
Slippery elm powder or capsules.
Vitamin-B-6, 50 to 100mg a day, is a
very effective anti-nauseant.
Backache And Hip Pain
Stretch daily and do regular aerobic
exercise.
Pay attention to your posture and avoid
high heeled shoes.
See a chiropractor on a regular basis
throughout pregnancy.
