Pregnancy Tips for Nausea, Birth … and Massage
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Prenatal nurturing has come a long way to make the birth experience a more comfortable one. Some pregnancy pointers for nausea, achy muscles and simple de-stressing methods may contribute to this exciting event. As your body goes through fast changes with the baby’s growth, massage can improve how you feel. From achy muscle to improved circulation and nervous system function, massage can enhance everything from your sleep to your daily energy levels and outlook. What do studies show and how safe is massage during pregnancy?
Massage
Numerous clinical studies have long shown that massage actually reduces some hormones related to increased stress levels. Research at employment locations showed improved health levels that resulted in less absenteeism and increased efficiency levels. Mothers-to-be, also experience increased wellbeing from massage – especially near full term. And, babies love Reiki, often noticed from their increased movement during a reiki-massage session. Reiki is an energy balance addition that can enhance relaxation according to your system’s needs. It can be incorporated into any massage session if it’s part of the therapist’s skill set.
How safe is massage during pregnancy? Registered massage therapists are well-trained to work safely with all conditions requiring extra care. They have acquired skill levels for massage at any month of pregnancy to ensure appropriate care and safety.
Pregnancy Nausea Relief
- Ginger – fresh ginger root, up to a maximum of 1 teaspoon (appx 1 gram), freshly grated to sip as a tea with addition of honey if desired, or – ginger capsules, suggestsed up to 250 mg. Ginger has helped many reduce early months of nausea
- Anti-nausea acupressure wrist bands: such as “sea-Band”, suggested for pregnancy and childrens nausea symptoms. Sea-Band is available in some pharmacies
- Homeopathic remedies: A few examples include Colchicum, Ipecacuanha, Cocculus, lacticum Acidum or Nux vomica. Ask a homeopathic practitioner, available in some health food stores, about selecting a suitable homepathic remedy. Usually given at 12 C or 30 C dosage during pregnancy. If no relief after a few tries, switch to a different remedy. Do not take long-term continuously or you will present the symptoms it is designed to remedy…. showing the value of having a homeopathic practitioner’s guidance
- An ‘old standby’ is to keep crackers nearby to nibble on when nausea threatens
Easy Birthing and Doula Benefits
In preparing for birth, a Doula adds a lot of comfort throughout your entire pregnancy and after baby’s arrival. Highly trained, a Doula helps ease birthing concerns, especially for first-time mothers or anyone who had a difficult first birth. Your Doula can be present at a hospital delivery or a home birth. They guide you and your partner throughout your pregnancy and early months with your baby. Their entire focus is you and your baby…when that’s your profession, it’s a lot of experience in the wellbeing of a new precious baby joining your family. It’s OK to interview a number of Doulas to find the personality you are most comfortable with, just as for any health practitioner you choose for guidance.
Hypnotherapy may provide excellent pain management techniques to help nullify negative concepts or to assist in maintaining focus. Some Doulas have additionally trained with this or similar techniques for an easier birthing experience.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a safer option to chemicals in your home, as are natural products like baking soda and vinegar. Murphy’s oil is a traditional cleanser based on natural vegetable oil. Essential oils have therapeutic effects as cleaner additions.
Few essential oils are suitable to a baby’s enhanced smell but guidance in selections can provide other safe applications for cleaning, air freshers and relaxation.
Organic food choices are very important for the development of a strong immune system in baby’s early years, especially with increasing government approval of genetically engineered produce that’s been modified through use of virus and bacteria to hide the transfer between unlike species. Approved crops are in our mainstream food supply. If you feel organic is too costly, the alternative is to stay informed of organic crops in order to avoid them and the processed food or tins made from those crops. As for organic containing more nutrients, the recent discovery of plant enzymes called Salvestrols that can enhance the human immune system is found only in organic crops. It’s part of the plants’ defence system against plant pathogens, but can benefit the human metabolism. This discovery adds another fabulous reason to choose organic.
Constipation prevention or remedy
- Apricots
- Multigrain cereal
- Water Intake: stay well-hydrated with pure water. Enhance its appeal with cucumber slices, ice, or a splash of pure juice. Soothing herbal teas have multiple benefits
- unsweetened grapefruit juice first thing in the morning
Relaxing, Therapeutic Baths
Baths may almost be forgotten in favour of shower convenience, but a tub soak can do more than just clean our skin. To see how ways to turn your bath into a therapeutic experience, read The Ancient Healing Power of The Bath.
Acupressure, Massage or Aromatherapy during Birth
Acupressure originated in Asia, has been used for thousands of years, just like acupuncture, and is seeing a revival as another drugless therapy to ease conditions and pain. The pressure points below should not be used until your due date as they have been successfully used in Asia for hundreds of years to speed up birthing and assist in easing contractions.
Acupressure Points To Accelerate Birth
Hoku point: rub the webbing between the thumb and forefinger in a circular motion, then press and hold with pressure toward the index finger, to tolerance of the mother. 30 sec hold, release20 sec, rpt.
Spleen 6 - On the inside of the ankle, trace up four finger widths on the leg above the ankle bone. Rub for about 1 minute. Then hold with as much pressure as the mother can comfortably tolerate. When you do this, hold the pressure on both the inner and outer parts of her leg for 1 minute and then release for 1 minute. This acupressure point can strengthen labour contractions.
Constant pressure one finger width above the tailbone will also speed up labour. Do this for 30 seconds and then release for a minute.
Other pressure points ~
To help lessen nausea - a common side effect for some. Apply steady pressure to her comfort level, three fingers above her wrist crease on her forearm between the two tendons, using your thumb.
To help alleviate discomfort: A) Three finger widths below the crease under the middle toe – press on either foot with your thumb with your other hand moving all toes forward and backward.
Another pressure point is B) the pelvic points on the lower back. Feel for the pelvic bones on either side of the lower spine where it joins the hip area . Rub these as hard as comfortably tolerated, using circular motions. And,
C) on the top of either of the shoulders is a pressure point that will lessen birthing intensity. This pressure point is located one hand width from the outer edge of the shoulder. Apply steady pressure to one shoulder at a time as needed. It may help to alternate with shoulder points or focus only on one at a time. If she feels her arm going slightly numb when you compress a point, adjust to lighter pressure.
For Focus: Apply light pressure in the center of her forehead to help re-focus her attention. When you do this, have her close her eyes and focus on the feeling of your fingers while encouraging her to do some long slow breathing.
Reflexology, working the points on the feet, is a beneficial treatment during pregnancy and during early birth contractions. It should only be performed during pregnancy by someone trained in reflexology to know which reflex points should be avoided or with use of light pressure in order to not induce early labour prior to the due date. Reflexology is an excellent therapy to prepare for birth, reflecting to the entire body for balance and enhanced energy levels.
Aromatherapy Massage – very few essential oils are recommended during pregnancy, but during birth, some uplifting scents may promote calmness and focus. Having your arms and hands massaged with a carrier oil containing a few drops of an essential oil or a blend of two to three scents can be very soothing between contractions.
To stimulate uterine contraction: Clary Sage
For nausea & as a mental stimulant: Use spearmint essential oil, which is not as pungent as peppermint, or one drop of peppermint - being careful to avoid the eyes
Calmness: Lavender – also good for headache and faintness. Combines nicely with Geranium essential oil which serves to uplift
Methods of use: on a tissue to hold or tuck near the pillow. A small spray bottle allows for room freshness, or in a carrier oil for body application under the throat area for inhalation, and massaged gently on arms, hands or feet are all beneficial application methods
Keeping in touch with natural options and preventive ways to avoid pollutants helps you find healthier choices for you and your family’s wellbeing. Here’s to one of the most rewarding experiences in your life!
