During Pregnancy

Morning Sickness

Over 50% of women experience morning sickness and for some it can be really debilitating. There are several possible causes including changes in hormone levels, nutritional deficiencies (B6 and zinc), and/or an enhanced sense of smell and sensitivity to odours. Morning sickness usually starts around week 6 and tends to be worse between the 7th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. It usually disappears by week 14 although approximately 20% of women may continue to experience it beyond this point.

• Nausea becomes worse if you’re tired, dehydrated or hungry.

• Herbal teas such as ginger, chamomile, fennel, or peppermint may help – drink one cup 3 times a day

• Stimulate acupoint Neiguan PC-6 until symtoms improve – usually around 5 minutes. Try wearing sea bands on this acupoint – you need to wear them 24/7. Download Location of Neiguan PC-6.

Anemia

Your iron requirements increase significantly during pregnancy so it’s not uncommon to find yourself low in iron or even anemic. Symptoms of anemia include dizziness, palpations, shortness of breath, pale skin, lethargy, general malaise, poor concentration and emotional fragility.

• To prevent iron deficiency, eat lots of green veggies, pumpkin seeds, cherries, apricots, fish, and poultry, beans, dried fruit, red meat, beetroot and drink black currant and cranberry juice.

• To help with B12 deficiency eat eggs milk, cheese, white fish, pork and yeast extract.

• To help with folate deficiency, eat nuts and raw or steamed green veggies, wheat germ, yeast extract, and legumes.
  

Insomnia

Sleeping difficulties are common during pregnancy and can lead to fatigue during the day. In early pregnancy low blood sugar levels resulting from nausea and increased hunger may cause insomnia. As the baby grows, a woman’s expanding abdomen can make it harder to find a comfortable sleep position, and increased pressure on her internal organs can lead to back pain, heartburn, and the need to urinate frequently during the night — all of which contribute to the loss of sleep.

Back Pain

Back pain is very common in pregnancy. Somewhere between a half and three quarters of pregnant women have it at some stage. However, there is plenty you can do to ease the discomfort and prevent it from turning into a long-term problem.

• Try wearing a Haramaki – a Traditional Japanese garment worn around the abdomen to maintain warmth and well-being. See the Kokoro Haramaki.

• Prenatal Yoga – helps to prepare the body and mind for labor and birth. The Frog posture is often recommended for back pain in pregancy.

• Swimming – find out if your local pool holds aquanatal classes. Exercising in water can help to ease back pain during pregnancy.

Heartburn

Up to 80% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn from the second half of pregnancy – a burning feeling in the chest and throat, nausea, and/or unpleasant taste in the mouth. Greater elasticity of the abdominal muscles can cause the valve at the entrance of the stomach to remain slightly open instead of closing so that stomach fluids return up the esophagus.

• Eat small, frequent meals and chew thoroughly.

• Sleep with several pillows to keep your body raised.

• Try eating something to coat your stomach before a meal, such as rice milk or Oatly.

• Don’t eat close to bedtime. Give yourself two to three hours to digest before you lie down.

• Avoid food and beverages that cause problems – carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods (citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, processed meats) and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods.

• Apply steady pressure to Juque Ren-14 until you feel some relief. Download Location of Juque Ren-14.