Fitness Bump!: Natural Remedies During Pregnancy, part 2

Welcome Back, this week we will continue with last week’s article regarding common ailments and pains during pregnancy.

Insomnia

Insomnia can be caused by a lot of factors: restlessness, the need to urinate, worry, overstimulation, discomfort, etc.

Suggestions:

Eat a few hours before bedtime, making sure your meal is easily digestible

Try drinking chamomile tea before bed, or limeflower

Try warm milk or a calcium and magnesium supplement

Make sure that your room is well ventilated and your bed comfortable

Use extra pillows as needed

Do some pelvic rocking before bed, followed by a warm bath

Massage of the head and neck may relieve tension

Add two or three drops of essential oil of lavender to a base oil and use it with a massage before bed

Leg Cramps

Cramps in your muscles are common during pregnancy. It may be caused by the new weight you are carrying, circulation changes, sitting cross-legged or calcium deficiency.

Suggestions:

Regular exercise

Stretching (Article on April 23, 2012)

Adequate calcium intake

When the cramp begins, bring your toes towards you, and massage the muscle

Pelvic Pain

As your pregnancy continues, the weight of the baby and your changing form may cause pain when your pubic joint expands in preparation for birth.

Suggestions:

Regular exercise

Rest when you need it

Warm compresses at the site of pain

Skin Changes

Skin changes abound during pregnancy. Some are pleasant, others are not. Most of these changes will go away shortly after the birth of your baby. Here are some ideas for the not so pleasant changes that pregnancy can bring.

Suggestions:

Pigmentation:

Use a sunblock when in the sun

Never bleach your skin

Use St. John's Wort oil to help prevent discoloration

Eat foods rich in PABA and folic acid

Itching:

Changing laundry detergents to a dye free, perfume free brand

Wear cotton clothes

Oatmeal baths help with itching

Bach Rescue Remedy Cream

Lime Flower teas before bed can be soothing

Acne:

Acne may either get better or worsen during pregnancy, try to keep your face dry, and avoid oils

Stretch Marks

Contrary to marketers for companies that sell stretch prevention creams, stretch marks cannot be prevented. Your best defense is healthy skin, moisturizing daily(best time to do it is after the shower as it helps seal in moisture), and good genetics behind you.

Suggestions:

Eat the proper diet to help your skin be healthy

Drink plenty of fluids (Skin that is well nourished stretches better)

If you have itching, use a cream to moisturize the area, some people prefer a Vitamin E oil

Cut down on salt your meals(As it helps retain water)

Recipe:

Stretchmark Oil

dark glass 50 ml bottle

50 ml of wheatgerm oil, or mixture of wheatgerm and almond oil

essential oils of lavender and neroli

Fill the bottle with wheatgerm oil, or the mixture of wheatgerm and almond oils for a thinner solution. Add 15 drops of the essential oil of lavender and 10 drops of the essential oil of neroli. Massage daily after bathing.

Varicosities

Pregnancy causes changes to the blood volume and hormone levels. The increased flow of blood and the relaxation of the muscular walls of the blood vessels leads to a more difficult return of blood from the lower body. They can appear in the legs, vulva, or rectum (see hemorrhoids). The varicose veins that area a result of these changes can be painful, itching, and unsightly. However, heredity does play a part in this process. Here are some ideas to help.

Suggestions:

Massage may help prevent, but avoid if varicosities develop

Avoid standing for long periods of time

Exercise regularly (Swimming, yoga and walking are great)

Eat well, including plenty of fiber, Vitamins A, C, E and B complex

Eat raw garlic, onions and parsley to increase the elasticity of your veins

Never sit with crossed legs

Avoid tight clothing

Support stockings may help if you raise your legs up before putting them on

Raise the foot of your bed 3-4 inches

Put your legs up whenever you can

Exercise the pelvic floor and inner thigh muscles