Back to Naturopathic Doctor in New York.

June Newsletter from Dr Jared Hanson ND LAc:

Natural Tips for Expecting Mothers

Morning Sickness

The combination of vitamin K and C is an incredibly effective intervention here. In one clinical study, more than 90% of women were completely free of nausea and vomiting within three days. How much? 5 mg of vitamin K and 1000 mg of vitamin C should be split into 2 doses per day. Vitamin B6 has also been found to be helpful. Acupuncture and homeopathy are also effective.

Preparation for Delivery

While almost all herbs should be avoided during the first trimester, herbs can help prepare the mother for delivery towards the end of pregnancy. The herb Mitchella repens is a traditional Native American herb that has been adopted by Western herbalists. Its primary use is to prepare the uterus for delivery. A tea of Mitchella should be drunk during the final three months of pregnancy to make labor easier and shorter. As a tea, it should be combined with raspberry leaves. The raspberry leaves strengthen the uterus and reduce the risk of uterine hemorrhage during and after labor.

Breech Baby

Natural medicine offers two reliable ways to flip a breech baby. The homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla 200C in a single dose has a considerable reputation in turning a breech baby. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, indirect moxibustion (heat from burning the herb Artemisia) is applied to the outside of the little toe. Clinical studies have verified the effectiveness of this technique.

Delivery

Acupuncture can be used to induce labor. There are several acupuncture points that send qi to the uterus. While these should be avoided during pregnancy, they can be used with advantage if a baby is late in arriving. Thorough training in the use of acupuncture during pregnancy is another reason why you should always see a licensed acupuncturist, rather than another healthcare practitioner with supplementary training in acupuncture (such as an MD or chiropractor). The herb goldenseal should not be taken during pregnancy but can be used during a difficult delivery to strengthen uterine contractions.

Breastfeeding

After the baby is born, many new mothers experience difficulty with milk flow. This is understandably quite distressing. Acupuncture is again a great tool for smoothing out milk flow. A tea made with caraway seeds (2 parts), fennel seeds (1 part) and aniseed (1 part) crushed and boiled (two tablespoons to a cup of water) can ensure adequate milk flow. Five drops of castor oil taken internally every four hours is also effective. During weaning, sage tea can be used by the mother to stop milk flow.

If the baby is having trouble keeping down milk, the homeopathic remedy Aethusa is indicated. A colicky baby usually benefits from the homeopathic remedy Chamomilla. These should be taken by the mother.