Lady Althaea

  • Home
  • Throwing the Bones
    • Testimonials
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Courses & Books
  • Articles
  • every day is magickal
  • About
    • Contact
    • Ministerial Services >
      • Planning Your Handfasting
  • Home
  • Throwing the Bones
    • Testimonials
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Courses & Books
  • Articles
  • every day is magickal
  • About
    • Contact
    • Ministerial Services >
      • Planning Your Handfasting

every day is magickal

Natural Pregnancy Aids and Tips

1/27/2011

0 Comments

 
Earlier I mentioned a few wonderful herbs that are great for use during pregnancy, labor, and lactation (Herbal Aids for Pregnancy.) I wanted to follow up with that because having a natural pregnancy is so much more possible than it is being made out to be. Although Natural Medicine has made huge progress towards widespread acceptance, it is still considered "quackery" by many. Despite how you may personally feel about the matter, let me offer a few more natural methods that I've used successfully to relieve some of the common discomforts many women experience during pregnancy.
Nausea
Common throughout the early months of pregnancy (due to hormone changes) and the last couple of months (as organs get shoved even higher up in the rib cage and baby discovers he/she can effectively kick mom in the stomach....) While the herbal standby for nausea is usually Peppermint Tea (mentha peperita,) the menthol can be too much for many moms and may actually make things worse. Spearmint (mentha spicata) is an alternative, as the menthol levels are lower, but an often overlooked herb that is gentle enough to use even on newborns (for colic and gas) and thus is perfect during pregnancy is Fennel Seed Tea (foeniculum vulgare.)

The same seeds that you find in the spice section at your local grocer will work perfectly. As they are seeds, the preferred method of brewing is to simmer for about 10 minutes in a non-aluminum container with a tight fitting lid. Allow to steep while it cools, then strain. An alternative is to crush the seeds and then steep in hotter than normal water (herbal teas should never be steeped in boiling water as much of the virtue of the herbs can escape in the steam.) This can be done with a mortar and pestle or you can place the seeds in a cloth tea bag and crush them with the back of a spoon.

Fennel Seed Tea has a mild licorice taste and is very gentle. If made a little stronger, it can even help with mild heartburn.

Sciatic Nerve Pain
An evil pain that manifests in the hip and thigh due to the sciatic nerve getting pinched, it is common from mid-pregnancy to the end due to the growing size of the uterus. Before you reach for the pain killers, why not try some stretching first? There are several yoga positions and even dance moves that gently and effectively help to shift the weight off of the nerve, releasing the pain and allowing you some comfort. 

One stretch that can be helpful is to get down on your hands and knees with your hands shoulders width apart and your knees straight under your hips. Arch your back as high as you can, tilting your head down and tucking your hips in and tail bone down (picture Oroborus: the snake with its tale in its mouth.) Then reverse the position, arching your back the other way, so your belly lowers, raise your head, rotate your hips back (be the snake trying to bite its tale from the other direction.) Do this several times. 

While in the same position (hands and knees,) keeping your back level with the ground, turn to the side, as if you're a puppy trying to bite your own tail. Then switch and bend to the other side. Do this several times as well.

Another option is a dance move introduced to me by a friend (she called it the "Voodoo Dance of Love" sure to ensnare any whom you desire. I, however, have found more use for it as an aid during menstruation and pregnancy.) Stand with your feet hips width apart, firmly planted. Bend your knees slightly and gently rock your hips back and forth. Remember, you should be rocking your hips, not shaking your butt. Then start to swing your hips around in a full circle. It should feel as if you are dancing with your uterus, as if it is the centering point within you (which also makes this move great for when you're just feeling disconnected with yourself.) Make several circles in both directions. You can also slowly lower yourself closer to the ground and then rise up again as you swing your hips about to make it more of a workout, if you like.

This move can also help sometimes with ligament pain, as it gently stretches the ligaments and repositions things internally.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Throwing the Bones

    Picture
    Whether you're struggling with something spiritually or in everyday life, bone divination can highlight areas where focus is needed and identify alternative ways forward.
    Get a Reading


    BMC logoBuy me a coffee

    Learn Witchcraft

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    June 2012
    May 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010

Picture
all photos and text copyright protected
✕