This week was especially exciting because we found out Baby Ledford is a BOY! WOOT WOOT! It’s about to get rowdy in this house…

This week has me all crazy thinking of a name. I’m horrible at making big decisions and I feel like naming a human is a pretty BIG one. Aside from that and the BOY news, pregnancy has been relatively easy this past week and I haven’t been battling too many of the usual symptoms. Part of this, I believe, is due to the gift of the Second Trimester, which most people agree, is the easiest of the three. The other part is due to some minor natural interventions.

When I had my first prenatal visit at the doc they gave me a huge folder of information and one of the printouts was titled “Medications and Pregnancy”. It contained a list of common pregnancy symptoms and their corresponding over-the-counter medications for relief. These sorts of things bum me out a bit because there are so many potential natural solutions to these issues. So I figured, in my current state, I would share some of my favorite ways to alleviate the most frequent complaints among us pregos. Remember, these are not CURES to anything, just some helpful suggestions and a good place to start before trying any medication. As the printout says, “Any drug has the potential to be unsafe…You should not take any medication unless it is directed under your healthcare provider”.

Headaches (suggested solution: Acetaminophen)

stay hydrated!
peppermint essential oil (I put a little drop behind each ear)

Cold (suggested: Acetaminophen, Sudafed, Robitussin, Mucinex)

Lysine – an amino acid and Zinc (take with food to avoid nausea)
Vitamin C
Magnesium

Constipation (suggested: Metamucil, Fiber-All, Milk of Magnesia, Colace, Bran Cereal)

SQUATTY POTTY! or a small step stool (this is important for elimination whether pregnant or not.)
Water/Hydration
Electrolytes
More soluble fiber (squash, yams, sweet potatoes, etc.)
Magnesium Citrate, (brand: Natural Calm, before bed)

Indigestion (suggested: Tums, Mylanta, Riopan)

Apple Cider Vinegar (a small amount in water before meals)
Super Enzymes (start with 1 before meals)
Eat smaller meals
Papaya/Pineapple chewable enzymes (available at trader joes)
Natural Antacids (available at whole foods)
Betaine HCL or HCL with Pepsin (start with 1 before meals)

Hemorrhoids (suggested: Preparation H, Anusol)

Squatty Potty or Stool (you can greatly decrease your chances of hemorrhoids by not straining when eliminating, changing your position helps A TON!)

Nausea and Vomiting (suggested: Vitamin B6, Emetrol, Benadryl)

Seabands (accupressure wrist bands, available at any drug store)
Accupunture
Ginger Kombucha
Avoid triggering foods (this takes some experimentation, for me it’s sweets and starches but others report aversions to greens, chicken, meat, coffee, chocolate, etc.)

Vaginal Itching (suggested: Monistat, Gyne-Lotrimin)

coconut oil (anti-microbial)

Allergies (suggested: Claritin, Zyrtec)

Raw Local Honey
Humidifier