Postpartum Herb Bath Recipe

This herb bath is amazing when you have just given birth! I cannot recommend it highly enough! With each of my births, I have the herbs brewed ahead of time, so that as soon as we cut the cord, I can get in the herb bath and relax with baby. It is so soothing of all the sore spots, and helps heal baby's cord too. If you have a hospital birth, you may not be able to hop in immediately after the birth, but even if you do it after you get home, it will be totally worth it. I like to do these herb baths every day for about the first week postpartum.

Postpartum Bleeding Prevention

With my first child, I had postpartum hemorrhage, which left me feeling terribly weak and could have been potentially dangerous as well.  With my next two children, I also bled heavily, which I feel extended my postpartum recovery time and made it difficult for me to regain my strength.

Depression After Birth

Guest Post by Missy J:

My hormones went a bit crazy after my fourth birth. I struggled with depression.

My nutritionist had me purchase some yam lotion (or Yam based deodorant). It has a natural progesterone in it. If your emotions are a bit crazy because of your hormone level, then Yam lotion will really help you feel better. I have recently heard that Arbonne has a really good yam lotion with natural progesterone. I will try and find a link for those interested.

Preventing Morning Sickness

Guest Post by Missy:
If you don't want morning sickness, I know of an easy fix: fast for a week before conception. Yep, that will nip it. I have done this a couple of times, and it was well worth the fast.

First Trimester Anti-Nausea Diet

Guest Post:
I learned of this diet at an Above Rubies Retreat by a lady named Trisha.  She had had five pregnancies where she suffered terrible morning sickness, then later was on the following "diet" for other reasons, and became pregnant again.  She was amazed that she had no morning sickness and attributed it to this "diet".  She has gone on to have six more pregnancies, morning sickness free, and has successfully coached several women who also had similar success.  I am currently trying this "diet" out for myself and hoping that it will be a success for me as well.

Pregnancy Salad Recipe

"Pregnancy Salad"

This pregnancy salad is a super way to pack some protein and nutrients in! It is fine to eat it at other times as well, of course, but it really packs a punch for pregnant ladies. :)  You may also enjoy adding other chopped veggies to it, such as celery, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, green peas, etc.

Managing Morning Sickness

There is a fabulous little book that I would like to recommend by Marilyn M. Shannon called Managing Morning Sickness. It is inexpensive and an easy read: only 28 pages long! If at all possible, buy it! She discusses what causes morning sickness, what role diet plays, and what supplements to consider.

I struggled through morning sickness with my first child, trying a few suggestions offered by some people, but nothing helped very much.  With my second pregnancy, I found this book and did not suffer nearly so much! I have lent this book to a number of people, and even bought a copy for several friends, and as far as I know, they all found it very helpful.

Johann’s Birth Story

Tues, Sept 16 – I went in the morning for my massage and it was wonderful! She did some pressure points and I started having some contractions after that, but nothing super strong or frequent. After the massage, I went to pick the kids up at my moms, had lunch there, and came home. I took 3tsp of castor oil in some OJ about 1:45 and laid down for a nap.

Israel’s Birth Story

Well, I’m afraid the midwife’s prediction of a prodromal labor was right. I had stronger contractions for about four days before the actual thing, although they were not terrible consistent. It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but the real day did eventually come, eight days after my due date.

Dominique’s Birth Story

It all started on a Monday afternoon, two days after my due date. I had had several practice labor runs in the two weeks previous to that, but this time it started and didn't stop... for four days! This prodromal labor was really rather annoying because contractions were not excruciating, but they were on the painful side. This made it so that I could not ignore them, but I also could not very well act as though I was in active labor either. So, I lived those days "just on the verge" of the real thing, trying to pass time taking walks, baths, playing board games, etc., always thinking "maybe today!".

Joshua's Birth Story

 

Joshua’s Birth Story

I always knew I wanted to birth my babies at home, although I always assumed it would be with a midwife. But we were in Japan when I became pregnant with my first, and I had a hard time finding a midwife. Finally I did, though. She was 78 and had been a mw for 51 years, and had attended over 3,000 births!! Anyway, when she ordered a blood test, she found out I am rh-, and she freaked out! She refused to attend my birth then, and told me to go to the hospital! (RH- is extremely uncommon in Japan, so they aren't really well-informed about it~ she told me my baby would need a blood transfusion immediately upon birth!!)

Protein Foods for a Healthy Pregnancy

 

My Favorite Healthy Pregnancy Foods – for snacking and getting in the protein

Did you know that pregnant women need 80-100 grams of protein per day for a healthy pregnancy? That is a LOT of protein, and I, like a lot of women, would rather snack on carbs!! LOL. It takes quite a bit of effort for me to get the protein that I need in, but I have definitely seen the results of it. I didn’t have a clue with my first pregnancy. With my second pregnancy, I knew what I needed to do, but didn’t always have the discipline to actually do it! With #3, I was much better, and with #4 I did really well. And each pregnancy, I have felt better, experienced less morning sickness and had more energy!

It Takes Time to Recover from Childbirth

 It Takes Time to Recover from Childbirth

When my grandmothers were having their babies in the hospital, they stayed for a week. In Japan even today, you stay in the hospital for five days after a vaginal birth, and ten days after a c-section. Some people still realize that women need to rest after having a baby!

However, most of those people are not in our country, it seems. In our present society, women are booted out of the hospital the day after having given birth, and may be lucky enough to stay an extra night if they have major abdominal surgery as part of the birth process (a c-section).

The reason women don’t rest, however, is not entirely the fault of the hospital. Women feel pressured to “get back in the saddle”. I know – I have felt that way after each of my four babies! And there is no one, for the most part, telling them that they shouldn’t.

Pregnancy Insomnia and Night Leg Cramps

I have always gone through periods of time during each pregnancy when I struggled with insomnia, even though I never do when I’m not pregnant.  I hate it! I could be DEAD tired, and lay there for an hour or more before being able to fall asleep. Then I inevitably wake up shortly thereafter to use the bathroom, and lay there for another forever before being able to fall asleep again!