The gentlebirth.org website is provided courtesy of
Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA

Miscellaneous Discomforts of Pregnancy

See also:

• General Pregnancy Anxiety
• Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

Subsections on this page:

• General Remedies
• Fatigue
• Fainting/Dizziness/Lightheadedness
• Shortness of Breath
• Allergies/Dry Nose
• Cramps in Legs/Twitchy Legs
• Low Back Pain / Pelvic Pain
• Ligament/Symphysis Pain
• Sciatica
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Bleeding Gums
• Swelling/Edema
• Sinus Congestion and Sinusitis
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Visual Disturbances / Visual Migraines
• Heartburn
• Itchy Skin - Cholestasis - PUPPP - PEOP
• Sleeping Difficulty/Insomnia
• Varicose Veins
• Constipation and Hemorrhoids
• Vulvar Varicosities
• Groin Pain
• Gall Bladder
• Annoying Braxton-Hicks or Toning Contractions
• Stretch Marks
• Miscellaneous

General Remedies

A nice page with lots of remedies for general discomforts

Natural Remedies for Discomforts of Pregnancy by Dr. Marina J. Rose in Los Altos, CA

Search down for Complaints during pregnancy from REPERTORY by Oscar E. BOERICKE, M.D.

Miscellaneous discomforts and remedies from a homeopathic perspective

Aromatherapy For Childbearing

Aromatherapy For Discomforts of Pregnancy

Fatigue

A local naturopath recommended the Ulna Gemmo Black Currant buds for energy.

Fainting/Dizziness/Lightheadedness

Have no fear re: your "low" blood pressure. It is entirely normal reading. You may wish to look at other reasons why you may be light-headed such as low blood sugar levels at the time, in which case, eat! Or, for some women, after they eat, all the blood goes to the digestive system, and that's when they experience lightheadedness.  Try experimenting with drinking fluids a half hour before eating, to build up your blood volume before diverting it to your digestive system, or try eating more frequent, smaller meals.

Re: anemia -- beware, the latest research (for the last few years now!) has shown that a hemoglobin count of 9.5 is optimal for fetal growth and maternal well-being, because this reflects an appropriately expanded blood volume.. This is way below what has and still is being strived for. Usually when a reading like this comes in the doctors are recommending transfusion. True! Also for the faintness -- homeopathic carbo. veg. 30x is affective.

Shortness of Breath

I am 15 weeks preg and for the past 10 days feel I need to take in deep breaths through my mouth to overcome this feeling of lack of oxygen! I was really worried but my Gyn found my pulse and blood pressure normal and sent me off saying it was physiological----! But I still feel uncomfortable. Anyone out there experiencing the same or have any helpful advice to offer. I sometimes feel as if I'm getting into a habit of taking long sighs.

I did a lot of research on it, saw my midwife, an allergy specialist, and my GP, and the most likely explanation we can come up with is that I'm not (probably due to the overall muscle relaxation effects of pregnancy) clearing my lungs completely of carbon dioxide, which sends the "gasp for air" message to the brain. I find it helps to work on completely exhaling when you feel this sensation, THEN inhaling. This is completely different than the sensation later in pregnancy where the uterus is so big that is crowds the lungs and you can't catch your breath, there's not one, obvious, generally accepted reason for it, hence some doctors reluctance to accept it as a "real" condition.

Allergies/Dry Nose

(They also make Baby AYR, which contains the same saline formula to help loosen mucus and clean a baby's nose.)

See Supplies/Free Samples

Cramps in Legs/Twitchy Legs

The best current research indicates that iron deficiency can contribute to restless legs syndrome.  This can be a normal change that occurs around 20-28 weeks of pregnancy, and it will probably resolve on its own as the body gradually increases iron levels.  But you might want to focus on increasing your iron levels until the restless legs problem disappears.

Neurology 2004;63:1065-1069

Restless Legs Syndrome Common Among Pregnant Women

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Sept 27 - During pregnancy, one in four women will experience restless legs syndrome (RLS), Italian researchers report.  . . . The only risk factor for developing RLS during pregnancy was a low hemoglobin level, the investigators report.

"Our results on a significant difference in iron storage indicators support a hypothesis that a relative iron deficit could play a role" in RLS, Dr. Manconi said in a statement. However, he said, "the rapid improvement of RLS symptoms after delivery give more power to a hormonal rather than iron-related hypothesis."

[Ed. - This statement makes no sense - the implication is that the improvement is too rapid to be associated with changes in iron levels.  However, because of the drastic reduction in blood volume that occurs soon after giving birth, a woman's iron levels do rise dramatically afterwards.  And, the iron levels drop drastically around 28 weeks along with the drastic increase in blood volume that happens around that time.  To me, this makes it sound as if changes in iron levels are very relevant to RLS.]

Apparently, dehydration can sometimes cause leg cramps.

If you're taking a calcium supplement without balancing the magnesium, you may have a magnesium deficiency.  There's a product just for pregnant women - Mama Calm

I recommend 25 mg magnesium at bedtime.  Some clients do better with the Floradix balanced calcium/magnesium supplement.  Experiment to see what works best for you.

The cure for me is a Citracal and a glass of water.  I sleep like a baby.

One of my clients felt that high doses of vitamin C/bioflavanoids were causing leg cramps.

The remedy is to lower carbohydrates in the diet - up the fresh vegetables and down the potatoes, pasta and bread.

Could this be a pH problem?  Too acidic?

You can also balance the sodium/potassium ratio of your blood by drinking raw beet juice or eating raw grated beets mixed with equal parts of raw grated apple (tastes basically like apple).

optional additions:

walnuts
yogurt
poppy seeds
sunflower seeds
jicama, julienned
grated carrot

If you're eating a lot of high potassium and high calcium foods and/or taking extra supplements this might do the trick instead!

I always found that mineral water and bananas worked well with crampy legs. I used to have a bottle of mineral water beside the bed.

Case 1: Pregnant and Restless [Medscape registration is free]

Restless Legs Syndrome from the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation

I have a woman in my childbirth class who is having a terrible time with twitchy legs (aka restless legs?). She gets them every night as she goes to lie down for bed. If you've never encountered this (I had it once during my pregnancy), it's this weird nervous feeling in your legs, like the nerves are firing and you want to stamp your feet to stop it. Am I making sense? The woman in my class says it's the physical manifestation of anxiety. That sounded like a good description to me. Anyone have any remedies for this?

I have heard of this, and several women in my family had this and it was due to lack of potassium in their diet. You might want this Mom to contact her care provider.

calcium-1000-2000 mg

Liquid Calcium  (we recommend Marietta's brand, as it works the best of ANY we have tried or seen)  helps reduce leg cramps.

Go for the Calcium + bananas or Emergen-Cee for potassium. Worked for me, and works for the clients we've used it on.

I would consider calcium- magnesium or potassium . Look at a diet sheet. Potassium would be the easy just add a banana or some orange juice, lemonade.... Calcium & magnesium are a bit trickier , general consideration that some supplementation is need.

I regret that I cannot recall the source now, but I have read in one of my maternity nursing books that this symptom often is associated with iron-deficiency anemia. The pathophysiology was not explained. A woman's health care nurse practitioner I work with has heard the same. Has anyone heard of an association between this symptom and Fe-deficiency anemia?

Restless legs can indicate a calcium deficiency or anemia.

I have had several ladies find Gatorade or Sportsall helpful with this. They generally report drinking 3-4 glasses a day.

try magnesium - as much as she can without loose stools

A banana a day, plenty of potatoes, kiwi's, almonds...Lots of walking and especially stretching before bed...

One of my clients said that almond milk worked well for her.

The questioning has led me to try to do more lit. searches to see if there is anything out there already to back up some of the stuff we are saying. On the restless leg syndrome it seems that many of the articles I found and the web site for restless leg syndrome mention anemia as something that will cause this syndrome and should be treated. I also found reviews about 2 small studies done in different years in Romania by the same doctor they concerned magnesium deficiency and sleep disorders, including restless legs. I did not find anything about potassium , but I sure as heck will recommend a glass of juice or a banana before I would consider recommending the drugs. I will have to re-visit pub med and copy the citations I read them over on line but didn't save them. here is one for a sample on the anemia, it is like the grocery store article someone else wrote about. The Romanian articles were in the Rom. Journal Neuro Psych 1993, and one in 1987.

Restless legs syndrome. A review.

Restless legs syndrome is characterized by unpleasant, deep-seated paresthesias in the legs and sometimes the arms. These sensations occur at rest and are relieved by movement. Sleep disturbance is common. Many patients also have periodic movements of sleep. Mild symptoms of restless legs occur in up to 5% of the population. Restless legs syndrome is idiopathic in most patients, but it may be the presenting feature of iron deficiency and is also common in uremia, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and polyneuropathy. Treatment of the underlying cause, when possible, usually relieves the symptoms. For patients with severe symptoms, levodopa, bromocriptine mesylate, opioids, carbamazepine, clonazepam, and clonidine hydrochloride have proved to be effective.

Low Back Pain / Pelvic Pain

See also: Chiropractic Care

Water aerobics good for pregnancy back pain - Water aerobics can help ease the pelvic and back pain that plague many women during pregnancy, Swedish researchers report.

Back Pain During Pregnancy from the Mayo Clinic

The new memory foam technology can be a tremendous help to pregnant women in relieving back and pelvic pain.  Try the Ergonomic Seat Cushion.  You can get it cheaper from Dr.Leonard's.

Back Pain and Pregnancy: Active Management Strategies by Julie Colliton, MD

Editorial - Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy
Exercises may help, and evidence is increasing that acupuncture reduces pain
BMJ  2005;331:249-250 (30 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7511.249

Undergarments for Relief of Back Pain and Vulvar Varicosities

Effects of acupuncture and stabilising exercises as adjunct to standard treatment in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain: randomised single blind controlled trial.
Elden H, Ladfors L, Olsen MF, Ostgaard HC, Hagberg H.
BMJ. 2005 Mar 18; [Epub ahead of print]

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and stabilising exercises constitute efficient complements to standard treatment for the management of pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Acupuncture was superior to stabilising exercises in this study.

Homeopathics for Lower Back Pain

I searched MedLine for "back pain pregnancy" and found lots of interesting article abstracts.

3 that caught my attention:

• Relaxin may be involved in development of pelvic pain during pregnancy; correlation found between serum relaxin levels and symphyseal pain or low back pain.
• Low back pain in pregnancy likely due to sacroiliac dysfunction, which can be improved w/mobilisation (physical therapy?? suggested in other articles).
• Hip, leg, knee & foot pain during preg/post-partum: biomechanical factors play a larger role than hormonal influences. Exercise doesn't appear to protect from nor cause such pain during pregnancy.

Lecithin for Back Pain

Laying on your back, keep the left leg straight. Flex the right hip to 90 degrees and place the right foot on the left side of the right knee, with the left foot flat on the ground. Have your care provider abduct the right knee toward your left while holding your right shoulder to the ground. When the knee is as far as it can go, a small surge of pressure on it will serve to "relocate" the subluxed SI joint. This will apply pressure to the right sacroiliac joint and almost immediately improve the pain. Studies have shown it to be effective and extremely safe. I have taught it to my pregnant patients for about 10 years.

It can be repeated p.r.n. and there are no documented problems for the baby as the procedure puts no pressure on the uterus or the baby.

The procedure can be repeated on the other side.

The most recent article in the medical literature on this procedure, that I am aware of, was written by Paul Frame, M.D. The word "sacroiliac subluxation" was in the title.

Tailbone Pain

Unless a woman has fallen on her tailbone (coccyx) or broken it in a previous birth, the tailbone is rarely sensitive.

I've found that in addition to these stretches, I was often able to relieve this reported discomfort with my massage clients with therapeutic massage of the supporting muscles of the pelvis.  So, if she doesn't get complete relief with the stretches, refer her to a good prenatal massage therapist.

Buoyant salt baths come to mind.  Try acupressure on the back of the legs.  One point is near the center of the back of the thigh right at the crease below the buttock.  Another point is on the center line of the back of the legs, at the base of the gastrocs/calf muscles.

Chiropractic Care

This section has been moved to its own web page - Chiropractic Care

Ligament/Symphysis Pain

See also: Chiropractic Care

Sources for a Trochanter Belt

Pelvic Pain (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) - this is a fabulous and comprehensive resource!

Homeopathic sepia 30c is reported to be wonderful for symph pain related to pregnancy...

Our local chiropractor says that most symphysis pain is caused by driving a stick shift.

I have found that 1gram of liquid cal mag before bed time makes a huge difference with most of my moms who have chronic ligament/muscle related pain.

I have three women who are all complaining of supra-pubic pain that is making their lives a misery. i have ruled out uti etc. i am putting it down to the head going down into the pelvis and also the symphysis rubbing etc.....what can i advise apart from the usual hot pack/bath/massage?

i had pubic symphysis pain w/ my last pregnancy - these are some suggestions from my midwife, which worked well for me

- tell your client to move slowly, even "sliding" towards her side before getting up after lying down

-apply heat packs to the area as needed

- there is a maneuver her partner can help her with:

he/she should put hands on mom's hips, then basically give her a nice, strong "squeeze" or hug. this pushes the symphysis inward and relieves the discomfort. this can be done as often as mom needs it, and she should tell her partner if she wants more/less pressure - of course have her check w/ MW or OB before trying

i've known women to use the following and claim they felt relief (how's that for careful wording [GRIN]?):

• topical use only --
• Arnica oil/ointment
• St. Johns Wort Oil (good reports!)
• liniment (Therapeutic Mineral Ice is mentioned most often)
• OTC zylocain ointment
• The famous hot rice sock! or hot water bottle
• Consider belt support system for uterus if unrelieved by above strategies

And orally -
• Acetaminophen/Tylenol

I'm not a midwife but I suffered from pubic symphyseal separation during my pregnancy.  It was not a complete separation as has occurred during some pregnancies and deliveries, but a partial separation resulting in inflammation of the symphysis.  Apparently the relaxin kicked in in my system early.  My doctor diagnosed it by asking me if it was painful to walk but not painful to go up stairs.  That was exactly the case.  The direction of movement of the pelvis caused the pain.  And there really wasn't much that could be done.  Rest, minimal walking, lifting and bending.  It improved, and since my delivery two and a half years ago it has mostly disappeared.  But not completely.

Two things helped me:

First, my naturopath, who is also a home birth midwife, gave me a supplement called "Ligaplex". It contains all natural products (don't read the label, though, or you'll be grossed out) that support your ligaments, so they're stronger for longer. I took this until the last three weeks of pregnancy, when you really WANT them to soften, and it made a tremendous difference.  Remember, though, to stop taking it several weeks before you're due to allow
the pelvis to stretch.

Second, I had my chiropractor adjust my public bone. I didn't have this done during pregnancy, but several months later.  (I don't know if it can be done during pregnancy safely or not).  It made a big difference, especially in terms of menstrual pain. It might be worth looking into.

I had a separation of my symphysis pubis, too, but it occurred during the birth of my first daughter due to poor positioning and vacuum extraction. Here's what Elizabeth Noble has to say in "Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year":

"The connective tissue uniting both pubic bones becomes softer during pregnancy and the increased mobility at this joint may become painful. No muscles span this joint, therefore no specific exercises can be don to protect it. In fact, Exercise usually makes the condition worse, especially moving one leg. Keep your thighs parallel during exercises and rolling in or out of bed. A diagnostic test is to get on your hands and knees and raise on e leg off the floor.if this does not aggravate the PS symptoms at the center of your vulnerable midline, you may have adductor tendonitis or round ligament spasm, the discomfort  of which is felt on one side. Treatment: Local polarity therapy. Position: Lying on your side, a partner places all five fingertips firmly at the union of your pubic bones, and the other hand rests flat on your sacrum. The hands should remain still on these two points until warmth, tingling, vibration, pulsing or other evidence of your body's electric field can be felt equally in both of your partner's hands. Usually one or two treatments is necessary. I have successfully used polarity balancing to treat painful PS laxity for fifteen years."

Elizabeth Noble has a degree in physical therapy, among other things, and founded the Women's Health Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and has trained over 2000 instructors in prenatal and postpartum exercise.

Things that can help:

• Rest!
• Sleep on a slippery sleeping bag so you can turn over easily in bed
• Try not to abduct hips
• Sit on a plastic bag in the car so you can slide when getting out
• A pelvic support like a girdle reduces pain

One of my clients has been told by her doctor that she has a separation.  She is able to walk sideways with no pain in one direction, but not forwards or in the other direction with no pain.

The symphysis pubis is a joint that is meant to be mobile especially as the head engages and the presenting part descends but if this joint becomes over stretched then there is often constant pain particularly on walking. One of the interesting things I have noticed with this condition is that walking backwards is easier but obviously not practical! It does help with the diagnosis however.

yep, sounds like a PS separation. a chiro should see her. Might be able to help some. time is the best cure.

most advise strapping it to prevent motion. There are all kinds of ways to strap -- expensive inventions. Sometimes an ace bandage wrapped tight and low helps a lot. Sometimes women can wear one of those back support belts (you know, the wide things you see workers wears sometimes). She'll have to get one large enough and strap it really low.

liniments help some:; mineral gel, ben gay etc.

warm tub soaks of course. and the tub will probably be the best help for her in labor. She might get confidence if you point out to her that her pelvis is now a good deal larger than before! Symphysis section was an operation used in the old days (still in some countries). it opens the pelvis a LOT, and will make a lot more room for her baby. She's unlikely to have any trouble with CPD!

It might take a couple of weeks, but she'll improve.  and a chiropractor might be her best friend!

Sciatica

See also: Chiropractic Care

Sciatica can be caused either by the increased blood volume or by pinched nerves in the pelvis as it softens under the influences of relaxin, especially in late pregnancy.  The standard recommendation is to see a chiropractor, which usually does help.

Exercise for Sciatica

This really does work, and it is Soooo simple.  I still recommend going to the chiro first, though, if you can.

Homeopathics for Sciatica

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I have a lady due now, whose right hand has been numb off and on for a week. Any suggestions?

If it is her thumb, index, middle finger and 1/2 of her ring finger, it is probably carpal tunnel syndrome.

vit B6 100 mg qd is supposed to help, but takes several weeks. Splints to keep the wrist in slight extension (aka "cock up" splints) help. If she does repetitive hand movements (knitting, computers, sewing, sports, she may need to stop). At night, (if she doesn't want the splints), have her sleep with this hand on a pillow to try to keep it slightly extended.

One other thing that helps is Ice packs to the wrists when it is especially bad. While this usually goes away within a few weeks of pregnancy, she needs to monitor it carefully, as permanent nerve damage can occur if it is a true carpal tunnel and not just from edema of pregnancy. I had one gal like this and she ended up with bilat carpal tunnel release's 8 wks PP. Never did get all the function back in right thumb. Have her watch for wasting of the muscle in the palmar thumb muscle pad (thenar prominence) and major weakness. If this occurs, she needs to see orthopedist soon.

Danger of B6 Overdose

I had a patient tell me she red an article by a nutrition phd that warned of neuro toxicity with more than 200mg of B6 qday. I frequently have patients use 200-300 qday. some..a fair amount respond better to 300mg or so I think.

Original work in NEJM about 1984 (?) showing reversible peripheral neuropathy (mainly numbness and tingling) at doses above 200 mg per day. It has been my habit ever since, to rec. 200mg or less a day.

Sensory neuropathy from pyridoxine abuse. A new megavitamin syndrome.

Abstract: We describe seven adults who had ataxia and severe sensory-nervous-system dysfunction after daily high-level pyridoxine (vitamin B6) consumption. Four were severely disabled; all improved after withdrawal. Weakness was not a feature of this condition, and the central nervous system was clinically spared. Although consumption of large doses of pyridoxine has gained wide public acceptance, this report indicates that it can cause sensory neuropathy or neuronopathy syndromes and that safe guidelines should be established for the use of this widely abused vitamin.

Bleeding Gums

Pregnancy Gingivitis: What Every Expectant Mother Should Know By Sheila Wolf, RDH.  [Home page for MamaGums.com]

What do you suggest for a mom with pregnancy-induced friable gums? Is there any treatment, or do you just let them suffer through it?

One of my sisters is a consultant in Periodontology (gums to you and me!!!)

As I remember from what she said when it happened to me:

I think it's one of the effects of oestrogens during pregnancy and some women (arguably) are particularly susceptible to it. The main problem seems to be persuading women to KEEP ON brushing their teeth and flossing despite the bleeding - which will keep their gums in good nick. If they stop - because of the bleeding - or brush them more gently, then they're probably more likely to aggravate the problem in the long term. It's best to encourage them to be even more careful about their dental hygiene during the pregnancy or to try a softer toothbrush. Otherwise the old wives' tale about loosing a tooth for every baby is likely to become reality because of rampant gingivitis.

Delivery usually makes it go away.

In my own case, it stopped within 12 hours of all three births!!

Good dental hygiene: brushing and flossing conscientiously -- maybe even get a cleaning because plaque builds up more easily in pregnancy and gingivitis is more common.

Other helps:

• Increase vitamin c intake
• Rinse mouth with salt water or half and half hydrogen peroxide and water 3 times a day
• Perhaps nettle tea? I hear that it helps strengthen vessels and there tends to be more fragility of the tiny vessels as well as more supply to mucous membranes owing to hormonal changes in pregnancy so maybe this would help.

She might want to switch to a softer toothbrush.

A good cleaning at the dentist and good oral hygiene usually will heal this condition. I also agree with the Vit C

I worry about teeth cleaning during pregnancy. . . from what I understand, dental bacteria can be a real problem systemically if it gets into the blood stream during a cleaning and require a course of antibiotics to get rid of. I think I'd suggest it only as a last resort, and start with mega doses of vitamin C, regular brushing, and rinsing with 1/3 salt water, 1/3 mouth wash, and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide (recommended to me after MAJOR mouth surgery when I couldn't brush).

Swelling/Edema

For swollen ankles, you might try wearing airline popsocks.  If I put them on in the morning they kept my ankles fine all day. If I didn't wear them they looked dreadful. The popsocks have a nice wide band at the top which is not too tight and so does not cause constriction which might cause further problems with varicose veins etc.

I recommend homeopathic arnica (6X or 30X, 3 tablets under the tongue once/hour until it's better, and then three times/day until the tendency changes).  Baths also help move the fluid back into the bloodstream, where it can be eliminated.

Normal baths may not help much.  I suggest trying to find a place where she can get submerged so that only her head is out of the water (that is how the original studies on using immersion to help edema were done). When I am advising hydrotherapy for edema, I am very specific and sometimes will write it down.
1) first empty your bladder
2) be sure to have water to sip while you are in the tub or pool
3) get into water so that only your head is out of the water.  relax in whatever position is comfortable.
4) be prepared to get in and out several times to pee. as the water presses on your skin, it pushes the fluid back into your blood stream where your kidneys pick it up. once they recognize that there is too much fluid, they send it to the bladder.  so you have to pee.
5) you need to spend a minimum of 20 minutes in the water, but with trips up to the bathroom the whole process may take as long as an hour.  SO plan accordingly.

Also, I would check on how much protein she is getting.  One of the things that can lead to peripheral edema is insufficient albumin in the bloodstream.  For most of our moms, insufficient protein is not an issue, but every once in a while it will be.

It sounds like your client is "third spacing" the fluids- which is fairly normal to a certain degree at this stage of pregnancy especially. The fluid which is/would be normally in the venous system is in the tissues (so-to-speak). This is partly because of the hormonal influences in pregnancy- esp. the increased progesterone causing vessel relaxation and the pressure gradient to be thrown off (the pressure usually keeps the fluid in the vessels as opposed to letting it "seep through"). As long as she doesn't have any of the S/S of PIH- and it sounds as if those have pretty much been ruled out- this is called "gestational edema" or "edema secondary to pregnancy". Many women find considerable relief by getting into a pool and soaking - the pressure of the water in the pool helps to counteract the edema in many cases. She could try lying in the tub and fill it as high as possible with water - the more volume of water the more pressure-. Tubs aren't generally very deep though. The only other thing I can think of at the moment is just reminding her to elevate her legs higher than her hips for a few times a day to help relieve some of the leg/ankle edema. You could also try adding a calcium supplement and/or magnesium supplement if you are really thinking it might be PIH related.....

A favorite around here this time of year is watermelon smoothies --- -- blend the melon WITH THE SEEDS until smooth... Folks swear by it! The seeds are supposed to be the "active principle"...

Try eating lots of celery and cucumbers.

Sinus Congestion and Sinusitis

How to Flush Away Sinus Ills and How to Treat Sinusitis Without Drugs and from Dr. Mercola.

Many pregnant women find that their increased blood volume results in increased sinus congestion and occasional bouts of sinusitis.  It's best to take care of these bouts before they turn into such painful infections that you feel that you must resort to antibiotics.  My favorite preventive measure is the neti pot - here's a nice metal one that won't break.  (Neti pots are famous for breaking, and pregnant women are famous for dropping things in the later months as their joints relax with the hormones of pregnancy, so . . . )

The concept of a neti pot can be really daunting - I find that it helps to breathe out a little bit as I'm doing it - just a gentle outbreath so I don't feel like I'm drowning!  Or you can figure out how to do a glottal stop to block off the backflow down the throat.

If you're not quite ready for a neti pot yet, try one of the commercial squeeze bottles of saline solution - avoid the ones with thimerosal or other mercury compounds.  It might be easiest to try this in the shower the first few times.  You can just spray a fine mist up your nose to moisten the tissues and help drainage, or you can get fancy and tilt your head back and actually allow the saline to flow through the back of the nose and into the throat.  This can liberate a lot of gunk that you can then spit out.  As I said, this is all easier in a nice, warm shower!

If you have a chronic sinus infection, consider the possibility that it may be a yeast infection.  Many of the dietary and lifestyle changes necessary to overcome vaginal yeast infections may also be necessary to overcome sinusitis due to yeast.

If you feel like you ARE getting sinus irritation/infection other than just the headache symptoms, (this sounds gross, but it works...) buy some saccharomyces boulardii capsules (that don't have any other herbal things mixed in) open it, put about the same amount as the size of a small dry lentil  on your finger, close the other nostril and snort it up in. Do both nostrils. It will smell like bread yeast & isn't as gross to do as it sounds. My Chinese Medicine guy had me do this and it staves off sinus infections really well. From what I understand this stuff is a "good yeast" which takes over the bad yeast, which is often a precursor to enabling a bacterial infection to take hold (??something to that effect, but it works...)

Also, often what I think are sinus headaches are actually tension, and a chiro adjustment resolves it immediately.  Might want to see if that would help...

Steam Tents - Standing in a warm, moist shower helps a lot, but you can't possibly stand in water that is hot enough to do a good job of fighting a brewing infection.  A steam tent allows you to get hot steam up into your sinuses where it counts!  It's like putting a hot compress on an infected cut; the heat helps kill the germs, and it increases the bloodflow through the area, bringing more white blood cells to fight the infection, and carrying away the deteriorating infection.

Especially if you think you might be coming down with a sinus infection, start steam tents right away.  Heat a big pot of water to boiling; while it's boiling, set up your space at a table.  Make sure the table is protected from moisture if necessary, and have a nice big ceramic bowl ready to receive the boiling water and a chair ready to pull up to the table.  Have a large, thick towel or beach towel or doubled flannel sheet ready to make the tent.  Make sure there are no children or animals running around that could cause an accident with a bit pot of boiling water!!!  Oh, and make sure you 've got some hankies handy, as this will loosen up lots of the congestion, and it's nice to be ready to blow your nose gently and relieve the congestion!  Then pour the boiling water into the ceramic bowl, sit in a chair with your head over the steaming bowl, and use the cloth to make a tent over yourself and the steaming water.  Be judicious in breathing in the steam - don't breathe it in if it seems dangerously hot.  So breathe it in slowly, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, so the hot steamy air can accumulate in your nostrils instead of being blown out with each breath.  You can just do this until the water gets so cool it's not steaming anymore.  Or you can get fancy and work each side of your nasal passages; block off one side and breathe in and out through the other.  Try breathing in through the mouth (which can get a bigger gulp of steamy air) and then gently blow it out one side while blocking the other.  I've heard that yogis can do all sorts of fancy stuff moving steam and water around their nasal passage.  You don't need to get fancy - you just need to get the steamy air in contact with the infected mucous membranes as much as possible.

Headaches

See also: Chiropractic Care

One of my clients said that eating significantly more protein relieved her headaches and prevented them from returning.

Sometimes headache can be caused by dehydration.  As you become dehydrated, your blood volume drops slightly, and your blood pressure may rise in accommodation.  Well, the increased blood pressure may break some little capillaries in the brain which, well, it hurts!  If you're prone to headaches, try staying really well hydrated.

This is so very true.  I've had a number of clients who tell me that their headaches go away if they drink enough water.  Next time  you have a headache, try sitting down and drinking lots and lots of water - more water than you could ever imagine - 5 or 6 glasses.  Notice whether your headache gradually gets better.  If so, start a strict regimen of lots of water intake and you'll soon figure out whether it keeps your headaches away.

I had never heard of grapeseed extract for headaches prior to being on the list. I get headaches more frequently than I like (I had a severe whiplash injury six years ago and residual problems with my neck seem to be the cause). The remedy I have discovered lately that I really like is St John's Wort tincture (25 drops) plus 5 or 6 drops of skullcap for nasty headaches, and a few drops of valerian if I want to sleep. It does seem to really work. The other thing that I have found helpful is rubbing a drop of rosemary oil on my forehead if I can catch the headache early on before it is too intense. I have also found ice on my neck helpful, and a product I bought from a chiropractor that one rubs on sore muscles called Bio-freeze. To my knowledge, all of these remedies are safe in pregnancy.

Headaches: I suggest lavender, skullcap, and/or feverfew for headaches, during pregnancy or otherwise. What I find most helpful is lavender essential oil, rubbed onto the temples or added to a carrier oil (almond, olive) as a massage oil. This works for me for migraines as well as other headaches. Feverfew is wonderful for migraines and is best used fresh, although good quality capsules are effective too. It may cause mouth ulcers in sensitive people and should be discontinued if this occurs. To help avoid this, when using the fresh leaves, it's suggested that you place a leaf or two between two slices of bread! Skullcap is very relaxing and can help with any sort of nervous or tension headaches. One good idea is to make a small pillow and fill it with dried lavender flowers. Sometimes people with migraines find a heavy eye pillow helpful...you can combine these two ideas by filling your pillow with flax seed or rice /and/ lavender flowers, even adding some lavender oil to the mix. This pillow can also be heated or chilled (microwave/freezer) for more relief and is good for back aches and more. I make a tincture of equal parts lavender and skullcap that works well for most types of headaches too. Massage is helpful for many types of headaches. There are also two acupressure points that may help: one is in the meaty part of the hand, between first finger and thumb. You'll know you've got it if the person winces and jumps in pain! Squeeze as hard as you can without creating unbearable pain, both sides if possible. You can do this to yourself, one side at a time, but it often works better if someone else does it. The second point is right in the center of the top of the head. Sort of between where you'd find the two fontanels! It too will be tender during a headache. Direct pressure or a circular firm massaging pressure can stimulate this point.

If the headaches are tension/nervous headaches the following may be helpful (best drunk daily, not just when there's a problem!):

3 parts lemon balm, 1 part passion flower, 2 parts oat straw, 3 parts chamomile.

If they are fatigue-induced, drinking this daily may help:

3 parts peppermint, 1 part squaw vine, 1 part ginkgo, 1 part gota kola, 1 part raspberry leaf, 1/2 part ginger

For either formula, use 4-6 tablespoons of herb mixture per quart of water. Place herbs in cold water, bring to a simmer over low heat, keeping pot covered. Remove immediately and let infuse 20 minutes or longer, keeping covered. Strain and drink. I suggest making a quart each day and drinking it throughout the day. These two formulas can be combined into one tea.

Migraines

The Natural Way to Rid Yourself of a Migraine Headache from Dr. Mercola - It is possible to stop headaches by stimulating your body's natural painkilling ability. By putting pressure on a nerve just under your eyebrow, you can cause your pituitary gland to release painkilling endorphins immediately.

Acupuncture shown to relieve migraines

Medical Resonance Therapy Music - recognized by the World Health Organization as the most successful “anti-stress remedy in the world” at the International Conference “Society, Stress and Health”.  Here's their article on Reduction of Frequency and Severity of Migraine Attacks.

What Can Cayenne Do For My Migraines?

Taking the cayenne inside the nose helps to open up the blood vessels. This enables the blood to get nutrients to all parts of the brain. To stop a migraine follow these simple steps:

1. Open the capsule and dip the flat end of a dry toothpick into the cayenne to pick up 3-4 grains.
2. Block one nostril and gently put cayenne up the other nostril.
3. Sniff deeply 3-4 times until you feel the flecks of pepper in your throat. (If you don't feel this, do it again).
4. Once you feel the warmth in your throat, you headache should be gone in minutes

I used too much when I tried it, and my nose burned, my throat burned, and my eyes watered, but the migraine went away! It was a pretty nasty one too. At least it's non-pharmaceutical.

I wouldn't call it a non-pharmaceutical at all--merely an unpublicized pharmaceutical. I intend to start prescribing it, but first a few details please. First, can you use it after pain has already started, or must you do it prior to onset of pain during the "aura?" From your post, it sounds like the pain was already well underway because you described it as a "pretty nasty one." Second, does it matter which nostril you use--does it have to be the nostril on the side of the HA? Third, have you ever tried this with muscle contraction HA's? All the other migraine treatments I have ever tried before were also efficacious for muscle contraction HA's also.

The cayenne can be truly amazing. Basically, you put a few grains of Cayenne on a toothpick and hold one nostril shut and snort it! The grains need to land in the back of the throat. If they land in the nose, it burns and the nose waters, and sometimes you can sniff it in the rest of the way.

Somehow, this opens up blood vessels, and relieves the headaches. It can be repeated if needed - sometimes takes more than one try for me, and it isn't much fun because the Cayenne burns, and the eyes and nose waters, but amazingly, often, the headache will go away.

I have used this at the onset of a migraine, but often after it has been "brewing" for a few hours.

Cayenne taken internally is also very good for migraine sufferers. It helps regulate circulation. I've known people with chronically cold hands and feet who began to take Cayenne regularly, who say their feet and hands stay warm now. The hands and feet often become very cold with a migraine, as well.

CAPSULES, CAPSULES!!!

For immediate treatment of a migraine you sniff (snort) a couple of grains, until they hit the back of your throat. Your nose and throat will burn a little, and your eyes will water, but that's the worst of it.

Visual Disturbances / Visual Migraines

You can get visual migranes, and these can present in pregnancy for the first time – you don’t need a headache to have a migrane. I had visual migranes in my last pregnancy and have never had one before or since. It involved loosing patches of vision – I would be looking at someone and they had no middle – most bizarre. I got investigated, but basically said it was fairly normal and nothing to be done about it. [Ed.: This assumes that you have ruled out pre-eclampsia.]

This could also be caused by low blood sugar.

Heartburn

Acid Blockers for Mom During Pregnancy Increase Baby's Risk of Asthma: Presented at AAAAI
March 24, 2008 -- Taking acid-blocking medications for heartburn associated with pregnancy increases the baby's risk of developing asthma by more than 50%.

Heartburn – there's a difference between gastritis, hiatal hernia and indigestion Do you want to block stomach acid or  heal stomach lining?  Many women, pregnant or not, get relief from heartburn with appropriate digestive enzymes.   PLEASE, be cautious with ANTACIDS (including nexium, zantac, pepcid, tums, rolaids…)  If you can afford it, it's best to be working with a knowledgeable enzyme therapist, but if you can't afford it, you can always start with simple digestive enzymes such as papaya; this is especially helpful if you're having obvious signs of digestive difficulty, such as sour stomach after eating or intestinal bloating.  If the digestive enzymes don't help, you may have gastritis - inflamed stomach lining; a good treatment for this is DGL, De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice, which helps to heal the stomach lining.

This excellent explanation of heartburn also proposes the most sensible remedy I've ever seen - Cell Tech's Contain supplement. [pdf document]

Pregnancy folklore revisited: the case of heartburn and hair.
Costigan KA, Sipsma HL, DiPietro JA.
Birth. 2006 Dec;33(4):311-4.

CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to expectations, it appears that an association between heartburn severity during pregnancy and newborn hair does exist. We propose a shared biologic mechanism involving a dual role of pregnancy hormones in both the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and the modulation of fetal hair growth.

Chocolate, wine and spicy foods may be OK for heartburn

NOTE - It's not clear whether this research result applies to pregnant women.

Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach.
Kaltenbach T, Crockett S, Gerson LB.
Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 8;166(9):965-71.

"Although there was physiologic evidence that exposure to tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, and high-fat meals decreases lower esophageal sphincter pressure, there was no published evidence of the efficacy of dietary measures. Neither tobacco nor alcohol cessation was associated with improvement in esophageal pH profiles or symptoms (evidence B). Head of bed elevation and left lateral decubitus position improved the overall time that the esophageal pH was less than 4.0 (evidence B). Weight loss improved pH profiles and symptoms (evidence B). Weight loss and head of bed elevation are effective lifestyle interventions for GERD."

Organic Herbal Tea for Pregnancy Heartburn at  Earth Mama Angel Baby - this is new, and I'd like to get feedback about it.  If you use this, please e-mail me about your results with it.  Thanks!

Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) from Cyberounds

Boiron Acidil Homeopathic Medicine for Heartburn or sour stomach

Some people say that drinking peppermint tea can exacerbate heartburn because it relaxes smooth muscle.

I was one that the almonds also pretty much did the trick, but also always had my bed elevated and ensured that I didn't drink the majority of my water in the evening.  Just reading in another birth article, a homeopath suggested a couple of things: Magnesia phosphorica and Carbo vegetabilis, says to dissolve the Mag phos in water and sip.  What she states did the trick for her was charcoal in  capsule form (not homeopathic, but was all that worked for her!).

For some people, eating certain foods will prevent or cure heartburn.  Try eating just the soft inside of French bread, or drinking Perrier.  Or try eating yogurt before going to bed at night, if that's when heartburn is worst for you.

If you want a really fast antacid that works, seek and ye shall find. The current crop of TV ads for help from heartburn can't hold a candle to the pills and plants mentioned in the Bible, suggests the U.S. Department of Agriculture's top plant researcher. For instance, to block the burn, make a salad using these plants mentioned in the Bible: almond, chicory, dandelion, garlic, lettuce, mustard, olives, onions and walnuts.

For heartburn during pregnancy: Chew a few pieces of diced papaya before meals. Papaya tablets are also safe-just follow the directions.

The best way to handle heartburn, however, is to prevent it. No super-spicy meals, eat small meals more frequently, bananas soothe the stomach, do not lie down after a meal but try walking or moving your body a bit. The sphincter muscle at the top of your stomach relaxes right along with all the rest of your body to soften up for birthing, and food/stomach acid can get pushed up. This is where the burning part comes in.

Another handy little remedy is slippery elm throat lozenges available from health food stores. Slippery elm bark is safe for pregnancy and it soothes the stomach, but take it only if/when the above suggestions do not work.

There are many alternatives to over-the-counter or prescription drugs to treat heartburn. For the acidity, bloating, and occasional nausea of heartburn and gastric reflux, use homeopathic Robina as the label directs for relief.

If you don't have a problem eating dairy, you might find that milk works wonders for your heartburn.

Kal Enzyme Gum. You can buy it in small packages or large bottles. The mother can take it before and after meals or anytime needed.

Raw celery. Calcium pills, papaya.

Slowly eating raw almonds and/or sitting up tall and flapping the arms up and down like a bird (high enough that the hands meet above the head).

I recommend chewing raw cashews until they are a paste in the mouth and then swallowing.  Also, small sips of Perrier water sometimes does the trick.

While on the subject of heartburn etc.... How about discussing some other 'helps". Calcium pills, and papaya have already been mentioned.... Has anyone had success with the old time apple-cider vinegar cure? (Just take a teaspoon of the stuff -if you can stand it straight.. Or put it with a little honey in a little hot water, and drink like tea). The idea behind it is that "acid stomach" may actually be an "alkaline" condition and acid like vinegar might help...... Several of my clients have gotten quick relief with vinegar....(odd as it sounds [grin])

I found candied ginger. papaya enzyme and enzyme gum at my local health food store. Bought some to try on myself before recommending to pregnant women.

I understand raw almonds work well too. Can't you just shred ginger into hot water an make a tea. I think like anything, too much can be a problem, but I understand it does help with nausea and heartburn.

I have used this remedy for so many years that I can't remember where it came from. It seems to have helped even the most difficult and stubborn cases. One tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll (I prefer the mint, which might also help) to two tablespoons aloe vera juice taken 1/2 hour before meals. It can be mixed in juice or water if necessary. It usually only has to be taken twice a day.

Take 200mg B6 per day.
Increase water intake (more than 2 qts./day).
Check air conditioning, etc. for mold in filters.
Take extra folic acid (800-1600 mcg beyond what's in a standard prenatal
vitamin).
Take 200 mcg. chromium picolinate.
Increase all B vitamins.
Wear a good pair of UV blocking sunglasses when outside.
Avoid fluorescent lighting.

Papaya is available without calcium carbonate...or how about fresh papaya? Another trick that I have used with great success is aloe vera juice (2tabl) combined with liquid chlorophyll MINT (1 tabl) taken 1/2 hour before meals. Usually its only necessary twice a day, if that. If ladies are getting the heartburn at night, I tell them to try it before the evening meal. It was a recipe given to me by a naturopath and certainly cures heartburn.

One thing that works for some women is chewing gum after meals (peppermint sounds good to most). This increases the flow of saliva and helps dilute the stomach acid. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids too. I hope this helps! Janet

I can definitely relate to wanting TO EAT while pregnant. What helped me the most with heartburn was papaya tablets (usually in vitamin sections even in supermarkets) and any kind of bubbly water -- Perrier, seltzer, etc. I think that I drank it just about every day in the last few months of my pregnancy. Hope that this helps!

Here are some things that did seem to help:

• Drinking papaya juice.
• NOT drinking anything with meals - dilutes the gastric juices so that they can't do their work of digesting as well.
• Drinking milk - we don't really promote the use of dairy, and I have heard an OB on television say that drinking milk couldn't help - it should make it worse if anything. But it did help me. Rice milk (Rice Dream) which is what we use on our cereal and by the glass, actually sometimes gives me heartburn if I drink too much!
• I guess that drinking a lot of water did help in the long run.
• OK, I sometimes chewed TUMS - I was dying! For non-US folks they are little antacid tablets of calcium carbonate and not much else. They don't have all the sodium or aluminium that some antacids have. I'd rather not take anything but I don't believe they are harmful. Then, very rarely, when I just couldn't stand it, I took some liquid TUMS. It helped the most but I didn't take it more than a couple times a week. These are things that were approved my the OB I had for my first birth so that helped me decide that it might be okay to take them.

When I was pregnant with twins I had terrible heartburn. I used green apples, just nibble on them whenever you get it

Heartburn - Pressure Point

If the heartburn is interfering with your sleep, you might try sleeping on a foam wedge pillow that supports you at about a 30-degree angle, so the acid stays down in your stomach!  No, this isn't the same as "sleeping on your back", which is rarely a problem anyway.  Bed Rest Wedge for $18.99 or $29.99, depending on height.

Itchy Skin - Cholestasis - PUPPP - PEOP

PEOP - Polymorphic Eruption of Pregnancy

formerly called

PUPPP - Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy

Itch Relief Tincture works on the liver, and does take a few days to kick in.  Rescue Remedy cream used externally will help relieve the itching during the time until the tincture kicks in.  It's used for cholestatis, PUPPPS, and the like.  I've gotten glowing reports back from clients on how well it's worked for them and what blessed relief they've gotten.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP) is characterized by intense generalized pruritus (itching) during pregnancy without a primary skin lesion. This page has a nice little differential diagnosis guide.

Obstetric cholestasis - "May have serious consequences for the fetus, and needs to be taken seriously.  Obstetric cholestasis (or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) remains widely disregarded as an important clinical problem, with many obstetricians still considering its main symptom, pruritus, a natural association of pregnancy. Obstetric cholestasis is associated with cholesterol gallstones. It may be extremely stressful for the mother but also carries risks for the baby. " [BMJ 2002;324:123-124 ( 19 January )]

The Dermatology Atlas has a section on skin disorders in obstetrics (pregnancy related) and gynecology

Here's their section on PEOP

Intra-Hepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy - An account of coping with ICP and actually reversing the disease through non-pharmaceutical treatments.

Intensely Pruritic Eruption on the Abdomen of a Pregnant Woman [Medscape registration is free]

Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy - created by a woman who had PUPPP with her first pregnancy and wanted to help other women in the same situation.  You can help increase knowledge about this very difficult condition by taking the PUPPP Survey.  You may also want to join the PUPPP Yahoo Group.

Obstetric Cholestasis

What Is Obstetric Cholestasis? - by Natalie Forbes Dash , Homebirth Access Sydney , Blue Mountains Homebirth Support, online at BirthLove  [backup copy]

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

Skin Disorders of Pregnancy

SKIN DISEASES IN PREGNANCY

Pruritic Eruptions of Pregnancy

This can be a miserable condition, but obstetrics doesn't seem to have many suggestions other than induction.  If some of the remedies below work for you, please, please, please send me feedback so we can increase our knowledge base about this condition and natural remedies.  Thank you!

Actually, a lot of people are 'unfamiliar' with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and are therefore also 'unfamiliar' with the potential associated risks. BTW Not just any itching but particularly itchy palmar surfaces of the hands and feet in late 2nd/3rd trimester is a cardinal symptom combined with confirmation of abnormal blood work.  In any event, ICP usually manifests in those persons with a previously unappreciated genetically-mediated predisposition, and with all due respect to those with varying opinions and approaches towards this condition, the fact is it can ultimately pose moderate to severe risk to the fetus depending on the severity to which it is affecting the mother.

'Clinical studies clearly show that when obstetric cholestasis complicates pregnancies it may lead to premature births in up to 60%, fetal distress in up to 33%, and intrauterine death in up to 2% of patients. The cause of fetal death is acute anoxia. Unfortunately, this diagnosis can be easily 'delayed' as it takes up to 2 weeks after a woman presents for care AND an astute practitioner orders testing to determine bile acids levels. Ultimately, confirmation of this condition does open the door for 'interventions' in pregnancy but then it also increases risk status and could justify those 'interventions' as necessary and appropriate. That said, I think it would probably be wise to offer care for women with this condition through a combination of modalities including collaborative evidence-based obstetrical and/or midwifery monitoring in conjunction with complementary and alternative treatments. The aforementioned link is a good resource for more detailed information on this disease.

I have had severe Intrahepatic Cholestasis of pregnancy with all three of my pregnancies beginning in 1989.My doctors have tried dozens of medicines including Phenobarbitol,Atarax,Promethazine and Questran( and many,many others) nothing has ever given me much relief. My doctor has now prescribed me "Actigal" his reasoning was that since gallstones are made up of bile salts and that is the cause of my itching and Actigal breaks down gallstones it may work and it has!! I am going on my second week with Actigal and I feel 75% better! No medicine has even come close and it supposedly works even better after 3 weeks.I really hope that this information can help someone else suffering as I have.It is rather expensive costing almost $3.00 a pill(in my area anyway) but well worth it!

There's some thinking that PUPPPs and other toxicoses of late pregnancy are associated with fetal hypoxia, meaning that the fetus isn't getting enough oxygen for some reason.  (I would encourage a good ultrasound to check the condition of the placenta before pursuing any other alternative therapies!)  Apparently chlorophyll was supposed to be a remedy for fetal hypoxia.

[Antioxidants in the combined therapy of late pregnancy toxicoses and chronic fetus hypoxia].
Ailamazian EK
Akush Ginekol (Mosk) 1991 Mar;(3):30-4

[Antihypoxic effect of chlorophylly and the method for its clinical use in maternal and fetal tissue hypoxia].
Shramkevych AF, Sol's'kyi IP, Rozumenko MB
Pediatr Akush Ginekol 1979 Sep-Oct;(5):55

I have the rash now for 3 weeks............miserable 3 weeks. I was determined to get relief. My doctors wanted to do all sorts of creams and ointments. None worked. Benadryl made me sleepy and I was not going to use steroid creams.

I went to a homeopathic DR. and within 4 days the rash is just a faint memory. No itching, a little tenderness but I can sleep. I also have to say that Heat is your friend! A hot shower and i mean hot, let the water sit on one place at a time. The pain is immense, then the itch that is the worse then just wait, the relief. It draws out the inflammation and when you go and lay down, let it air dry. The bumps go down and then just light pink. Relief for several hours. The homeopathic DR. gave me some stuff that i put on it when it would flare up. Now it is gone.

I had a rash early in pregnancy that didn't respond to the usual treatments.  Then I started taking Evening Primrose Oil for its natural prostaglandins and EFAs, and that worked!

I've seen Hypericum perforatum (Saint John's Wort) oil work well on the rash during pregnancy.  It has a local anesthetic effect which really decreases the itching.  And, it promotes healing by preventing secondary infection...

Black cohosh infusion applied topically has a history of treating the itching of poison oak and ivy.

Something that some of my clients have had success with for the PUPPPS rash is Hemp Cream from the body shop.

Severe pregnancy rash indicates kidney and liver stress even if it's not registering on a lab test.  Topical treatments may be mildly soothing but largely ineffective.  She needs support to gently detox the reticuloendothelial system.  I might try dandelion or milk thistle capsules or a homeopathic liver formula.

At the end(last 2 days) of my 2nd pregnancy I began getting a rash on legs and abdomen. By several days after birth I was totally miserable with it. The family practice dr. said it was PUPPP - some kind of rash with pregnancy. Have any of you had it and if so do you know of ways to get rid of(or avoid) it without using steroid cream? I'm 32 weeks into my 3rd pregnancy. No sign of it yet but I was told that it often gets worse with subsequent pregnancies.

This has a few names..."pruritic pustules of pregnancy" or "pruritic urticaria of postpartum"...according to a couple of docs who have dx'd women I have worked with. Apparently due to hormones...some women get it, some don't, it doesn't necessarily continue to occur in the same woman for subsequent pregnancies, though it can. Benadryl is usually the allopathic treatment.

There is a fairly rare (for this country anyway) condition called cholestasis of pregnancy that could be the cause of severe itching. It usually begins in the third trimester, but can occur earlier. It supposedly begins with the itch and then jaundice develops, but I have seen a case where no jaundice developed. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels will rise as well as bilirubin and bile acids (which cause the itching). The management is to control the itch with Benadryl. Also I read that cholestyramine is helpful but don't know anything about that.

Hope this is helpful. Maybe some others have some great itching remedies besides oatmeal baths. I could use some more in my own bag of tricks.

Another important fact about cholestasis is that it has been linked to intrauterine fetal demise in some (rare) instances. Many providers feel that women who have been diagnosed with this condition should be monitored with weekly or biweekly NST's (nonstress tests), and some believe that an AFI (amniotic fluid index) with each NST is a wise precaution, as well.

This really is a miserable condition. The women who have it suffer from incessant itching, even inside their noses and on other mucous membranes. Since it is caused by the build up of bile salts in their blood, topical treatments don't really do any good at all.

Why do bile salts "build up" in the blood? Is there something one can do to counteract this? My midwife friend has her mother doing things like red clover, dandelion root and other liver stuff.

I have used homeopathic Apis with good results, one friend just tried it and it worked, her doctor said she would just have to suffer.

Well, I'm not an expert on this condition by any means. When I see it or suspect it, I consult with a physician. According to Williams' Obstetrics (yes, the one with copious amounts of male chauvinism and some very good information), it's an idiopathic (meaning they don't have a clue why) condition which appears to be genetically influenced as it is most common is some ethnic groups (Scandinavians and a particular group of Native Americans in Chile!). The bile acids don't get cleared properly from the liver tissues. There's no inflammation or overgrowth of liver cells, just stasis. Some researchers have recommended giving cholestyramine, a drug which binds bile acids and helps the mother excrete them, and others have found that it doesn't do much good and may disturb fat soluble vitamin transport. Some researchers have found more of an association with fetal demise than others. Some have found an increased risk of preterm labor. The recommendation in Williams' is that you induce after the fetal lungs are mature. I don't think there is enough data to know whether any particular herbal regimen would be efficacious. It's a rare enough condition that it would be hard to gather the numbers.

There are several conditions that can cause "pregnancy itch": papular dermatitis of pregnancy, prurigo gestationis, pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, and pruritis gravidarum. There are different lab tests that can be done to R/O or differentiate if a woman is suffering from any/or which of the above.

Papular dermatitis of pregnancy: will abate with delivery or during the early PP period; but may recur in subsequent pregnancies. Initial reports regarding an increased fetal loss associated with the dermatologic condition are controversial. It's a rare condition with unknown etiology.

Prurigo gestationis: also unknown etiology occurring 2% of pregnancies. Will spontaneously regress after delivery but may take up to 3 months and recur with subsequent pregnancies. No known associated maternal or fetal complications.

PUPPP: Unknown etiology that begins in 3rd trimester and slowly regresses during the 1st few wks PP. It's observed primarily in primigravidas and recurrence in subsequent pregnancies rare. There are no adverse maternal, fetal, or neonatal effects associated.

Pruritis gravidarum: Very common cause of pregnancy itch and due to intrahepatic cholestasis with the accumulation of bile salts. Jaundice may develop. There is an increased incidence of preterm labor and LBW babies with women who developed the cholestatic jaundice; but overall maternal and fetal mortality rates have not been affected by this condition. Regression occurs shortly after delivery.

I had a client last year that had the itch. Did all of the recommended labs, which didn't reveal anything. Benadryl, oatmeal baths, etc. did nothing for relief, she couldn't sleep. Referred her to an OB to make sure I wasn't missing something, but he couldn't figure it out either. She finally found something on her own that helped: Aquathor, looks like Vaseline and she found it at Costco.

My most recent client had what I think was PUPPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy).  Violently itchy, she said she felt like she was going to go crazy it itched so much.   It looked just like the online pictures I found of it, seemed to fit the descriptions I've found.  So I tried her on dandelion root tinctured in cider vinegar that I had just decanted.  I was very lucky I made this tincture, as she will take no alcohol, even if you put it in water and let it evaporate, it is a religious thing.  I like dandelion root in vinegar anyway- seems to extract well, plus you can take it with oil on your salad, more fun than taking droppers full of it!  Anyway, after 8 days on it, her itchiness and rash went completely away!  She is thrilled and I am thrilled. Especially because the cases I've heard of with PUPPP, usually it doesn't go away until after delivery.  Granted, I'm not a dermatologist, maybe it was something else.  But it would be cool if women could take dandelion tincture instead of cortisone creams (and occasionally prednisone is prescribed) for this condition.  Might be a fun research topic.

For anyone curious, I used fall-dug dandelion root, tinctured in cider vinegar for 3 months (because I forgot to decant at 6 weeks).  Fall dandelion root is supposed to have a tonifying effect on the liver and kidneys, spring root is more of a cleansing action.  She took a dropper 3 times a day, noticed the rash lessening after day 3 or 4, rash and itching all gone on day 8.  If anyone has a client with PUPPP and decides to try this treatment, let me know how it works!

Also, the site I found with pictures of PUPPP is Dermatology Online Atlas.   It is pretty cool, they have pictures of all kinds of skin conditions, and also have a differential diagnosis page for each, where they list other conditions that are similar, with links to pictures of them.  It was very helpful in figuring out my client's rash.

Wishgarden Herbal Tinctures has a formula for liver strengthening that works wonders.  It contains motherwort, watercress, yellow dock and dandelion root.  Their number  is : 303-516-1803

I had success treating a client with PUPPP with Dandelion root tincture - a dropperful in some warm water 3 times a day.  Symptoms lessened by day 3, were gone by day 8 of treatment.  Dandelion has a tonifying effect on the liver, and PUPPP has been attibuted to liver problems in pregnancy, so it makes sense as a treatment.  Other treatment options are Benadryl, steroid creams and oral steroids.  Dandelion tincture sounds quite mild next to those, yes?  I've heard of people whose doctors induced them because they were going mad with the itching, and it usually doesn't go away until after the birth.  My client said it was 10 times worse than poison ivy itch.

There is an article online about various rashes in pregnancy at http: is called "Pruritic Eruptions of Pregnancy can be Confusing"

There is also a page in the Dermatology Online Atlas of this condition, with pictures, at http:

I was diagnosed with PUPPPs in my stretch marks at 28 weeks.  At 34 weeks it had spread to the rest of my body, and by 36 weeks I could not sleep at all.  Realizing that the steroid creams and antihistamines weren't helping, I started to look for other solutions.  I tried patch tests with every lotion, cream, and ointment I had in my medicine cabinet.  Most creams and lotions provided some relief for an hour or so, but to my surprise, Miconazole made a lasting difference.  I never would have associated PUPPPs with yeast because I'd never seen such a thing on my skin.  It made sense though-- I'd been craving yogurt for quite some time, and yogurt is great for yeast infections.  Plus I realized that the rash had started just two weeks after I'd been put on an antibiotic for Strep, and I only get yeast infections when I've been on antibiotics.  Anyhow the rash cleared up right away. I ran out of miconazole, but I'm still using lots of yogurt and am also taking dandelion root.  Even rubbing plain yogurt on my skin makes it feel better.  I hope this solution will help others as much as its helped me.  [If you also find a connection between taking antibiotics and developing PUPPPs or other indications that it's related to yeast, please send me feedback.  Thanks!]

I am 20 weeks pregnant and have been diagnosed with PUPPPs.  Started taking prescription antihistamine this weekend and finding some relief.  Rash started about 1 1/2 weeks after taking a large dose of antibiotics for a teeth cleaning.  I have a heart condition, mitral valve prolapse which requires antibiotics during surgery or when bacteria can enter my system.

I am suffering from PUPPP at 39 weeks. It began about 1 1/2 weeks ago in my stretch marks & has spread to my arms, back, breasts & upper thighs. I have been prescribed chloropheniramine tablets & hydrocortisone cream to relieve the itching. They are not working (& I don't really like taking them, preferring to avoid drugs). Neither are calomine lotion or calendula cream. I took a course of antibiotics/penicillin 2 1/2 weeks
ago after a cat bite. This condition began at the time the course finished.

I developed PUPPPS in my 17 week (only a few spots, here and there at first. I thought it was flea bites).  Now at 22 weeks I have about 30 spots spread all over.  My OB/GYn diagnosed it as PUPPPS.  I had taken antibiotics twice before my pupps started.  Although I have rarely had bladder infections in my life, when pregnant the first trimester I got two bladder infections.  After the second bladder infection the Doctor prescribed antibiotics (I don't remember which one). I thought I took my antibiotics much earlier before my Puppps started, but when I just went back in my calendar to look, my antibiotics were prescribed on May 8 for seven days, the pupps started around May 14 or 15!

I just wanted to say that this website was a life saver for me.  I got your link from my sister-in-law's sister-in-law after I came down with the horrible rash.  My midwife told me that this rash is just something that some pregnant women get and some don't.  Also, that there was nothing that they could do for me other than keep me comfortable and that it would probably spread to my thighs, arms, etc.  I tried everything!  Cortizone cream, gold bond, calamine lotion, corn starch, baking soda, cider vinegar, oatmeal baths, benadryl, zyrtek and anything else that anyone would suggest to me.  I finally started taking dandelion root last Monday.  By Tuesday night I had already started noticing the difference.  Now, exactly one week later, the rash is now a very light pink and doesn't itch anymore.  I cannot emphasize enough how much I appreciate knowing this information.  I missed two days of work because of this rash and three nights of sleep.  I actually was considering calling my midwife to see if I could be induced.  I am so glad this information was sent to me.  My suggestion--start taking the dandelion root immediately.  I take two pills, three times a day.  You will notice the difference within two to three days after starting the pills.  Good luck!

I have had violent, itchy PUPPP for most of my 3rd trimester. No over the counter or prescription has worked to rid me of it, from corticosteroid to caladryl. Any topical treatment would work for a night or two, then lose effectiveness. Sarna, a lotion from the drugstore, numbed it, but lost efficacy. Ice packs helped a bit.

Finally something did help more deeply: acupuncture. In tandem with acupuncture, modify the diet to lots of melons (waste removal/filter aids) and NO fried foods, or foods that generate heat, such as onion and cayenne. The idea with the acupuncture is to liberate stagnant energy so that your immune system can handle the fetal cells causing the allergy. The idea with diet is to untax your digestive system so your immune system has more resources to do its job.

Acupuncture helped to: relieve the depression, remove the burn-like patches of red, raised welts all over my legs, and alleviate the itching. But after I stopped, PUPPP returned, albeit in a weakened state. The rash presents less contiguously, more patchily and the itch is not quite as violent (not itching till I bleed, e.g.), though still there.

I've had an itchy back (with no rash) and an itchy neck (with rash) since early in pregnancy but have only in the last couple of weeks (currently at 30 weeks) developed a rash on the inside of my forearms. I was prescribed an antibiotic a couple of months ago and since then have had thrush despite treatment.
I had thought the two unrelated but perhaps they aren't. I've also noticed that the rash on my arms has become worse as I stopped taking linseed on my cereal as the dairy was not advised with iron tablets.

Sleeping Difficulty / Insomnia

Maternity Air Bed - has a central air pillow to allow women to sleep on their stomachs!!!  It's supposed to help with hip, back and abdominal pain as well.  [I don't know anyone who's tried this, but it looks interesting.  If you're able to try it, please send e-mail feedback to ronnie at gentlebirth.org.  Thanks.]

These can be more expensive, but beds with individually wrapped coils will keep one person's movements from disturbing another; this is especially helpful for the dad in the postpartum months, when mom is moving around at night to nurse the baby.

Peaceful Sleep Now CD from HypnoBabies

Dr. Mercola's Guide to a Good Night’s Sleep.

DO'S and DON'TS for poor sleepers

Dr. Susan Lark used to offer a Muti Spritzer Oil called Peaceful Night. "This calming, tranquil blend of lavender, chamomile, orange, and other essential oils will help relax and soothe you before bedtime.  Just spray the oil a few times on your sheets, clothing, or skin. Then close your eyes while the soothing smell enters your nasal passages. Take deep, calming breaths as the scent travels through your limbic system to your brain where it helps you feel deeply relaxed."

Natural Sleep Remedies

Sweet Dreams!  Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in Pregnancy - a homeopathic approach

TIPS FOR BETTER SLEEP

SleepNet's Sleep Link Reviews

Extra padding underneath you can really help.  If you can afford a really high-end bed like a Duxiana . . . great.  A more moderate solution is The BedCozy Cuddle Ewe Underquilt™ - a wool mattress topper.  Or you might want to try a relatively inexpensive Visco-Elastic Comfort Zone® Mattress Topper and Pillow, along with a  Contour™ Leg Pillow , although you should know that these "memory foam" products, as with many other foam products, are made from urethane or polyurethane, which can cause health problems. (I would avoid these completely during the first half of the pregnancy, and stop using them if you notice any ill effects.).  Or you could just use a sleeping bag that adds extra cushioning underneath you.

Acupressure point for insomnia - Place the index and middle finger of your left hand on the inside of your right wrist, three finger-widths below the crease of your wrist.  Do this while you are seated comfortably.  Press gently and hold this position for up to 3 minutes, and then release.  Switch hands and repeat.

Have her take a couple cal/mag citrate before bed. It's worked wonders in the past.

For women who are waking to empty their bladder in the middle of the night, they might try taking a warm bath right before bed.  This will move some of the fluid out of their tissues and help them get rid of some body fluids before they fall asleep.  During the night, some of the fluid that would otherwise end up as urine will migrate back into the tissues instead.

last time i had a client with insomnia  it turned out her diet was way too low in protein.  have her keep a food diary and comment on the nights sleep.  also could be a food allergy.

I love Valerian for sleeplessness, but even moreso, I love this homeopathic combination tonic by Boericke & Tafel called...ALFALCO.  Ah, it is wonderful for sweet slumber without that drowsy feeling that too much Valerian can give.

I think lavender oil is just great...esp if it follows a turkey sandwich, glass of milk and banana. If I had to choose just one, though, I'd choose the lavender oil (apply liberally to wrists, face, neck.)

I always recommend this sleep remedy to my pregnancy moms:

1 cup milk
1 t vanilla
1 t sugar

microwave or heat until warm. Tastes like a warm milkshake and my little boy used to always ask for this "special medicine" on Christmas Eve when he couldn't get to sleep because the thought of Santa Claus was just too much. It really tastes pretty darn good.

She might try a cool (not hot) drink of Chamomile tea (sweetened slightly if she likes) followed by a warm/hot bath with 3 drops of lavender essential oil added to the water while it is running, finally followed by a wonderful relaxing full body massage from her lover with a massage oil/lotion ratio of 1 part oil to 2 parts lotion with 3-5 drops of lavender and/or 3-5 drops (for a total of no more than 8 drops if mixed or 5 if single) sandalwood added to the mix (shaken very well to mix it completely).

She might also consider making a dream pillow containing 1 drop each of lavender, chamomile, and hops or valerian each put on a separate cotton ball and put into a small pocket of cloth placed under the pillow.

A great synergistic blend for exhaustion during pregnancy according to "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood is equal amounts of each of the following oils Lavender, Grapefruit, and Coriander for no more than 6 drops total for use in a bath, 5 drops total in 2 tsp. of cold pressed vegetable oil (grapeseed oil is the best) for an individual body massage, or 4-5 drops in a bowl of hot but not scalding water for a foot bath.

The previously mentioned book is an excellent resource for aromatherapy oils and their uses. It even has a section (Chapter 10 I believe) devoted to pregnancy, childbirth, labor and postpartum aromatherapy care.

You can also put lavender oil on the eye lids or make a sleep pillow out of hops, chamomile and lavender flowers - it smells great and it contains all those relaxing herbs. I have also used a homeopathic remedy called calms forte by Hylands which really seems to help me and my husband both get a good night of sleep when we really need it. All of this should be safe during pregnancy.

Benadryl can cause stimulation instead of drowsiness in certain individuals, but has few adverse side effects and is generally a safe and effective choice.  However it is not known to be completely safe in pregnancy.  Here are some precautions.

If insomnia during pregnancy is new for you, it might be that your liver is having trouble processing all the increased progesterone of pregnancy, which may be revving you up and making it harder to sleep.  Milk thistle can help with this.

Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins [Medscape registration is free.]

Reviva Labs Private Label offers varicose veins prevention lotion.  Does anyone have any experience with it?  Does it seem to help?

Varicose veins can develop during or be aggravated by advancing pregnancy. Homeopathic Millefolium is one treatment option that will minimize the appearance and discomfort of varicose veins. [Note: Most homeopathic remedies are safe to take during pregnancy.]  For other tips on homeopathics for pregnancy, nursing and newborn care, see the EMAZING.com archives of the Homeopathic Health Tip of the Day

Women with varicosities of the vulva can birth their babies just fine.  The enlarged veins just seem to move aside for the baby. The discomfort before the birth is the main  concern.  Vitamin E --800 I.U. per day is well advised to be taken orally.  Find a high quality brand with natural D-alpha tocopherol in a health food store.

For clients with bad varicosities, I recommend lots of bioflavanoids and low-dose aspirin (a  baby aspirin or one adult tablet per day), especially if they're noticing any lump!

One of my clients started having pain/slight inflammation and engorgement of varicosities of the lower vulva/lower buttocks.  Now superficial veins very high in posterior upper thighs becoming engorged.

Have her reclining head down/reverse trendelenburg incline 2-3 times daily, also some knee-chest to get baby up a bit higher.   Avoiding crossing legs.  Tried compression/biker shorts but seemed too uncomfortable.  Not constipated, warned not to become so.  Warm sitz baths.  Extra vit. E and C.

Have seen vulvar varicosities, before, but these in lower buttocks new to me. When they first occurred were red, sl inflamed, responded quickly to extra reclining.  Concerned how else might help discomfort.  Client's mom got relief for her varicose veins in her legs via acupuncture, and I know a reputable clinician that we might try.  Plan NOT to squat for birth!

I have moms use topical witch hazel on varicosities that are easy to reach. Also Hamamelis 12x homeopathic ( homeopathic witch hazel that can be used internally) can be used through out pregnancy. Hamamelis herbal tincture( by mouth) in the last few wks of pregnancy. Also I highly encourage these ladies with ANY varicosities to use a good belly support-{ there are only a few I recommend} at 20 wks on. I have used these methods for many years and have always seen much improvement.

ps. Hamamelis works great for PP hemorrhage

Co-Q10 is a metabolic enzyme good for anything vascular, including heart or muscles, and especially varicosities. Available at Health Food Stores or Trader Joe's. Get the yellow-colored kind.

Nature's Way (easily found in any health food store around here) now has a product called "Leg Veins" which contains horse chestnut and all the other things mentioned as being helpful for varicosities. One of my clients recently brought in a bottle to find out if it was ok. She was happy with it and I have been just starting to recommend it. I am happy to have a product that people can easily find and use. I used to tell women about Rutin and Horse Chestnut, but I had no info on how to take it or how much.

Soaking in a warm bath until they soften and can be repositioned. Then a good cream - like prep H or comfrey/cod liver oil (the cream/oil helps stool to slip out without dragging and damaging tissue).

I had the beginnings of one varicose vein at about 28 weeks...you could see it and just feel it coming above the surface of my skin.

I started taking lots of antioxidants: grapeseed extract 800 mgs per day and vitamin c 3000 mgs per day...also flax seed, about 6-10 capsules per day. Antioxidants and bioflavinoids (someone had mentioned rutin) are supposed to promote tissue integrity/strength of connective tissue...veins would be included in that...as would skin, etc.

The little vein that was trying to make an appearance went away, no others have popped up.......nothing scientific, just my "study of one"

rutin - part of vitamin C complex, supposed to strengthen vein walls.

Have a 30 y.o p3 g2 who is experiencing varicose veins for the first time. She is quite concerned. In researching helpful ideas I spoke to alternative doc who recommended collinsonia root caps from Standard Process. In looking in my books I found a source that also recommends it highly for v.v. but it says that it is a mild diuretic. Does anyone know if it is truly safe in pregnancy. If it were for a short term use like Uva Ursi for UTI I would not be as concerned as for long usage for this particular situation.

I like garlic and white oak bark. The garlic is taken orally and the white oak bark is a decoction "bathed" onto the varicose veins.

I had a woman a number of years ago who had terrible varicosities. During her pregnancy we put her on the following

• garlic
• B complex
• 100mg zinc
• 200 mg rutin
• 500 mg Vit C with bioflavinoids 5/day
• 400 mg Vit E BID
• 30 gr alfalfa
• Bromelain 2400 mg TID (I question is this was mg or mcg)
• Prenatals
• Calc Fluor 6x
• Hamamelis Virg 30c
• Oat bran or other daily fiber
• AOX PLX 3 in am

We've had good results with Butcher's Broom.

You take tinctured witch hazel internally about 20-40 drops daily. It is good for vulvar varicosities and hemorrhoids also. It is tinctured from witch hazel bark. Is very effective.

M. J. Hanafin RN CNM. C Hom. recommended in her workshop at the CAM conference that you could use Hamamelis 200c for varicosities, as well as for hemorrhoids and hematomas.

I have used Bellis very successfully for varicosities in pg. They do need to have matching symptoms. I have had several moms with bad v.v. and have none whatsoever now. One mom 42 has battled with them all her life and of course increased trouble in pg. the problem was not only remedied but cured her hemorrhoids too. Since the birth has had no sign of returning problems. I would just encourage people to try to find a homeopath and use an LM pot. I am using almost exclusively LM pot. in my practice they have almost immediate results and they are less likely to be proven

I suggest the following: drink lots and lots of oatstraw tea, use witchhazel compresses and do lots of hands and knees pelvic rocks, especially before bedtime, to ease the pressure on the leg veins.  Hot vinegar washes to the legs also help.

Compression Stockings

Constipation and Hemorrhoids

Diagrams of hemorrhoids

For persistent hemorrhoids, it's worth getting a specialized ice pack.  The Hemorr-ice is a small, rigid plastic device filled with that "blue ice" cold gel stuff.  You store it in the freezer in its own container, and it's ready for use as needed.  It's about a half inch in diameter and is inserted about two inches.  It works wonders to relieve the pain and discomfort and seems to work better than anything else in reducing and resolving the hemorrhoids.  I recommend using it before bedtime and after moving the bowels.  It's more comfortable when used with some kind of KY Jelly or personal lubricant.  (Hemorr-ice can be ordered from Dr. Leonard's catalog - 800-785-0880 - item #7504.  The cost is around $12, plus shipping.)

"Hemorr-Ice® - Not a suppository...not an ointment...but a new, clinically tested method of treating hemorrhoids with cold therapy. Hemorr-Ice® has a special cooling liquid sealed inside so it acts like an ice pack. Simply apply the chilled inserter for two to five minutes. Hemorr-Ice® shrinks the blood vessels... reduces bleeding...and promotes healing of inflamed tissues. Provides fast relief from pain, itching and bleeding. Safe to use, as often as desired.  I generally recommend that my clients use it after moving their bowels, since the strain pushes blood into the varicosed veins and stresses the delicate vessels; the sooner you relieve this situation, the better.  Then again, use it before bedtime . . . reducing the swelling before you lie down really increases the healing bloodflow while you sleep."

There are a couple of similar devices -  Anurex and HemorRelief.

The Ultroid(TM) technology ensures safe and effective   hemorrhoid treatment. It has been clinically proven to be effective in treating grade I-III and some grade IV internal and mixed symptomatic bleeding or prolapsed hemorrhoids. The non-surgical procedure is simple to use, well tolerated and requires no sedation or anesthetic.

Squatting Platforms for the Toilet

Here are some squatting platforms:

Nature's Platform(TM )

The Lillipad

And much, much more on the Internet:

Earth Mama Bottom Balm - "This healing salve helps relieve itch and shrink swollen tissues of prenatal and postpartum hemorrhoids and helps speed healing of postpartum vaginal bruising."

Witch Vera Cooling Gel Witch Hazel & Aloe Vera combined to soothe, cool, tone & calm, dry irritated skin.  From Dr. Kowalski's, am-products.com, springvalleyherbs.com or search for other sites.  "This curbed my bleeding hemmorhoids in a couple applications. Best of all, it's quick and easy to apply."

I emphasize to my clients that constipation can be a chronic problem in pregnancy and they have to stop thinking about sporadic ways to deal with it.  Chronic constipation can only be effectively dealt with by long-term, daily habits to promote normal stooling, not just trying something to fix every episode of hard stool.

The basics are:

1) You have to have enough fiber in the diet DAILY - EVERY DAY - to hold water in the stool and keep it soft.  The bulk also helps with peristalsis.

2) You have to be drinking enough water so that the fiber can do it's job.  Many women aren't drinking enough even with enough fiber.  Other women drink a lot, but don't have enough fiber.  You have to do BOTH.

3) You need to MOVE your body to promote active peristalsis to move intestinal contents along.  Progesterone works to slow passage of food through the intestines for maximal absorption - unfortunately, the longer food hangs around in the intestines, the more water will be absorbed.  Regular exercise helps to prevent peristalsis that is overly sluggish.

All the suggestions so far have been great, but there is no quick fix that will last more than a day.  Clients have to put themselves on a daily program of fiber/fluid/exercise and stick with it for the pregnancy.

I have had good success with adding magnesium supplementation, either in the form of Mg rich foods (alfalfa sprouts and the like) or in a supplement.  I would also ask if the woman is using a lot of calcium or iron supplements - sometimes decreasing those will help a lot.  Also when we switched our standard PNV rx to one that includes EFAs our pt c/o constipation went way down.

Magnesium can help relax the intestines to relieve constipation and can also relieve anxiety.  Especially if you're taking a calcium supplement without balancing the magnesium, you may have a magnesium deficiency.  There's a product just for pregnant women - Mama Calm - I found it for $14.37 (8 oz.)

Licorice will often loosen up stools.  It's a tasty way to deal with constipation if you like licorice candy, but watch out that you don't cause blood sugar problems by eating too much!  Note that you have to get the real black kind - you can get Panda brand at the health food store, or the British candy, Bassett's AllSorts should work, too.

"I have struggled with constipation and 'roids' for most of my life. My mom said I was born constipated. I have had the unpleasant problem of a compacted bowel.

"One thing that really works for me is using flax seed oil. I take 1 tablespoon in the am and 1 Tablespoon in the pm. I put a Tablespoon of the oil in my mouth and then a big sip of juice and swish it in my mouth to mix it and then swallow. I could not handle the texture otherwise. It does not have a strong flavour. It works like a charm and if I missed a dose my BM's would get a little harder. Also try to do things you would normally do standing in a sitting position. I would pull up a stool to the counter when preparing dinner. Walking helps too ( not to be confused with standing still ). I also found it helped to NOT push. I waited till my bowels were ready to do most of the work themselves. This meant that I would have to relax, read a little, maybe some music : )." -A.L.

Buy "grey" salt at the health food store and salt your food to taste.
Drink plenty of water every day.  Lots of roughage to have big b.m. every day.
One whole cucumber eaten every day.
Lots of high quality protein.
Brisk walk that gets your heart pounding.
Extra rest and baths.

When i had them during my pregnancy, i followed my midwives' advice:  i soaked a washcloth with witch hazel & wrapped it around ice cubes then applied this to the area for about 10 minutes (i did this 2 or 3 times total).  then, i rubbed olive oil on it and tried to push it back it (i don't think it worked), mostly just after showers.  i also took flax seed oil capsules, one twice a day.

I also took some advice from dr. bradley, which involved using something to raise my feet up while having a bowel movement.  i just put a shallow rectangular plastic bucket (about 6" - 8" high) on the floor in front of the toilet and put my feet up on it, so that my knees were closer to my chest.  (he recalls a story in his book about people in india not having any history of hemmorhoids, and their "toilets" are not raised up off the ground -- they're literally holes in the floor.  he -- and a doctor from india -- believes that this is the "natural" position we're supposed to eliminate in, and getting our feet closer to our butts essentially puts us in a more optimal position for the appropriate muscles to do their jobs properly.  having actually done it, i'd have to agree that it's really more comfortable on the sphicter muscles.)

i followed all this advice and they went away -- BEFORE the birth.  it took only a couple of weeks.

Get those bowels loosened up, even if she has to take stool softeners (better than painkillers).  Increase water and fruits and veggies.  When she eats cheese she must eat it with applesause and 8 ozs of  water.  Lots of water during the day.  And walk everyday.  Doesn't  have to be far but she must leave the house and walk.

If you’re having trouble moving your bowels, try pressing your left hand against the outside of your right knee while pushing outward isometrically.  This contracts internal muscles to help move the bowels.

Magnesium citratealso helps by loosening the bowels...

My holistic doc recommended supplements to boost the liver (Standard Process) and increased my calcium/magnesium (2 to 1).

Vitamin C with bioflavanoids (Natrol Ester-C is a very good brand, priced moderately). I also take the Source Naturals proanthocyanidin, but I cut back to 100mg bid.  In the last few months, I added rutin to the mix, started at 50 and now up to 200mg qd (once). This, combined with a
topical cream containing horse chestnut (a noted supplement for correcting venous insufficiency) usually do the job. An added benefit of Vitamin C is softer stools.

Homeopathic hammemalis (sp?)-which is homeopathic witch hazel.  It's the only thing that ever worked for me, and sometimes for others.

4x4's soaked in witch hazel and applied, gingerly.  She could also soak a menstrual pad, after sticking it on her panties in the right position, with witch hazel, or use a cloth menstrual pad over a commercial one (the commercial one has the plastic liner to keep her panties from getting wet).

Drinking LOTS of