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****************************** Check out what's new at the Pregnancy Community: This month's featured book is Making Me By Julie B. Carr This month's featured article at the Info Alley is Preparing the Perineal Tissues. Excellent information for preventing tears. New CONTEST!!!
One person will be picked randomly from each message board at the pregnancy community to win a prize!! Message must be posted during the month of April to qualify. Winners will receive one bag of Erbal Anna tea or bath of their choice from Nurslings. 2) Q & A: Q: I have heard that drinking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy is beneficial. Can you please tell me what it does and where to find it? Also, what is the best way to prepare it?
Thanks so much A: Red Raspberry Leaf tea is a uterine toner and tonic. The benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf are numerous and the tea has been used by women in their childbearing years for centuries. Drinking RRL tea is a wonderful way to get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. RRL contains vitamins B, C, and E, and is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium. It is also claimed by herbalists that there are constituents of Red Raspberry Leaf that keep the uterus toned, prevent postpartum hemorrhaging, and possibly more effective contractions
during labor and birth. Red Raspberry Leaf tea is also known for boosting fertility, an aid for postpartum pains (contractions that return your uterus to its pre-pregnant size), easing morning sickness, and increasing breastmilk supply. Even if you aren't convinced RRL will guarantee you a shorter labor, this nourishing herb is worth drinking all through your pregnancy.
You can find RRL in bulk from your health food store or food co-op. If they carry bulk herbs, but don't carry RRL ask them if they would order it for you. You may also
want to do an online search or ask your friends for a good supplier of Pregnancy Tea. Make sure the herbs you buy are organic or wildcrafted. Herbs treated with pesticides may be weakened in their potency. (Hint: If the package doesn't
say it's organic or wildcrafted, then it's not.) You can combine RRL with several other nourishing herbs too such as nettles, rosehips, alfalfa, peppermint for a great taste, and occasionally red clover. The best way to prepare the tea is by infusion so as
to draw out the beneficial properties of the herb. You will want approximately two handfuls of herbs to two quarts of water. You can combine one part red raspberry leaf to one part nettles and then add rosehips, red clover, alfalfa or peppermint if you wish. Place the herbs in a glass container with a lid. A two quart mason jar works very well. Cover the herbs with near-boiling water and screw the cap on tightly. Let the herbs steep from 4-8 hours. Pour the infusion through a strainer or cheesecloth and discard the herbs. You can put the tea in the refrigerator and it will stay fresh for up to five days. Add honey, milk or a small amount of fruit juice if you find you need to improve the taste for your liking. Don't worry about being exact with the
measurements of the herbs, there's no wrong way to prepare this tea. Enjoy! 3) Aromatherapy in Pregnancy Lavender: Relaxing, soothing, calming, refreshing. Can treat aches and pains, is one of the most well-known essential oils, and safe to use for just about anyone. Grapefruit: Stimulating, reviving, hormonal balancer. Since this oil is a citrus there may be skin discoloration with
its use, especially if exposed to sunlight. Ylang-Ylang: Relaxing, hormonal stimulant, mood uplifter, reduces anxiety. Do not over use. Geranium: Uplifting, balancing, promotes healing, can treat depression or hormonal issues. Great for use
during birth to assist circulation and relaxed breathing. Best used in the bath. Bergamot: Relaxing, uplifting, stimulant, may treat anxiety. May stain skin in sunlight. Eucalyptus: Stimulant, uplifting, purifying. Can work as a decongestant, treat colds and muscle pain. Do not over use. Orange: Uplifting, emotional support. Note caution for citrus oils under grapefruit. Tangerine: Calming and sedating to the nervous system. A decongestant for the lymphatic system. Oils to avoid during pregnancy: Aniseed, Armoise, Arnica, Basil, Birch, Camphor, Cedarwood, Clary Sage,
Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrhh, Origanum, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rose,
Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme, Wintergreen. 4) Approaches to Elevated Blood Pressure
I would recommend taking blood pressure at another location than the
doctor's office. During my second pregnancy, I was seeing an OB for backup
in case of an emergency. My blood pressure was always high at the doctor's
office, but normal at my midwife's house. The doctor's office made me tense
and nervous and was causing the change. This may not be the reason for
borderline high blood pressure, but it might be worthwhile to consider it.
My doctor would have probably suggested inducing me, if I hadn't been
planning a homebirth. A very effective way to quickly reduce high blood pressure is with
vegetable juices. I have seen a friend with high blood pressure due to
preeclampsia respond the same day to 16 oz of carrot (8 oz.), cucumber (4-5
oz.), beet (2-3 oz.), lemon (1 oz.) and garlic juice (3-4 cloves). Drink
the juice in 3-4 serving through the day. This can be repeated daily as
long as desired. Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Issue No. & Date)
To subscribe to the E-News write: enews@midwiferytoday.com
For all other matters contact Midwifery Today:
PO Box 2672-940, Eugene OR 97402
541-344-7438, inquiries@midwiferytoday.com,MidwiferyToday.com
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