Our midwives offer traditional holistic well woman care, modern women’s medicine, and complementary care.
** PLEASE – remember more doesn’t always equal better so Please DO NOT increase your recommended dosages of vitamins, herbs or medications without talking with your provider. Nile Women’s Health is not responsible for allergic reactions or any self dosing errors.
– Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is a mineral of relaxation and a natural anti-inflammatory and also helps to remove toxins from your body. When added to bath water (NOT to drink) it is a great help for relaxation, improved circulation and helps alleviate many of the common discomforts of pregnancy that are listed below under
-Calcium/Magnesium. (If you are a insulin dependent diabetic please consult with your provider prior to using.)
-Chiropractic Care – for general health and well-being, decreasing discomfort throughout the pregnancy and for alignment to aid in optimal fetal positioning (it is important that they are trained in pregnancy).
-Massage – benefits: hormone regulation, reduction of swelling and back pain, improved circulation, improvement of nerve pain, better sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, lessens chances of birth complications. It is important that your massage therapist understands pregnancy.
Recommendation: Glow Anti-Aging Center and Medical Spa:
401 South Main Street Suite B-8 Alpharetta, GA 30009 www.agelessglowspa.com ph #770-740-8444
First 12 weeks
Prenatal vitamins, raspberry leaf tea, calcium/magnesium, Omega-3s Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), Raw Natural Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).
-Exercise daily, even 10-15 minutes per day is beneficial (consult with your provider if activity restrictions have been placed)
-Prenatal Vitamins – Take as directed. The 1st months are an important time of development and these help supply the nutrients your baby needs. (Try taking with supper to decrease chance of nausea)
-Calcium 1000mg/Magnesium 500mg each evening or “Natural Calm”- as part of or in addition to your PNV. Calcium is vital to building and maintaining strong bones and also necessary for almost every function in the body. Calcium and magnesium also help decrease leg cramps that are sometimes a common discomfort in pregnancy. Magnesium is considered to be an important relaxation mineral and is even known for helping with many symptoms including but not limited to: cramps, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, constipation…FYI – Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, helps to regulate a healthy immune system and regulate sugar metabolism. Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to Gestational Diabetes, Preeclampsia, and lower bone mass and growth by age 10 in children born to mothers deficient in Vit D. Dosage of VitD recommended: 1000IU/day (people with Minimal sun exposure are at increased risk of low VitD)
-Raspberry leaf tea: 2 cups per day OR may take 2 raspberry leaf capsules once per day: Daily use has been shown to have many benefits, including but not limited to: reducing morning sickness, development of a strong toned uterus and the muscles of the pelvic region, reduce stretch marks, reducing pain during labor and birth… (if you are drinking a “pregnancy tea” please check the ingredients before adding this tea, it is likely one of the main components of any pregnancy tea)
-Essential Fatty Acids – General Health Benefits have been shown to include but are not limited to; Improved mood and memory, healthy metabolism, bone strength, healthy skin, and decreased inflammation. The most biologically active omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both have been shown to have multiple benefits effects, including but not limited to: improving childhood development when ingested during pregnancy.
DHA is essential for development and functioning of the nervous system, brain, and eyes. The fetus is dependent on the mother for DHA intake – which must be high enough to meet both the requirements of the fetus and the mother. Improved DHA levels in mothers and their breast milk is associated with: improved fertility, decreased risk of premature birth, decreased risk of post-partum depression, improved attention (focus, learning, intelligence and behaviour in children), decreased risk of allergies in children, improved immune development, improved visual acuity. To optimize pregnancy outcomes and fetal health, consensus guidelines have recommended that pregnant women consume at least 200 mg of DHA per day. This can be achieved through diet. (Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy by Jaclyn M. Coletta, MD,1 Stacey J. Bell, DSc, RD,2 Ashley S. Roman, MD, MPH3, Vol. 3 N0. 4 2010 REVIEWS IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY p.163-171)
-Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (Braggs is a common brand) Common dosages range from 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 mL) up to 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) per day. The health benefits of ACV are numerous, Including but not limited to – helps regulate sugar metabolism, balances pH in body to also help with skin irritation/acne.. 1-3 TBSP at bedtime with evening snack has been shown to help lower morning fasting blood glucose. Adding 1-2 tsps to a glass of water and sipping on it has also been shown to help with nausea.
Weeks 13 to 35
Prenatal Vitamins, Raspberry leaf tea, Probiotics, Essential Fatty Acids, Raw apple cider vinegar, Daily exercise
-Prenatal vitamins – continue regimen from previous weeks
-Calcium 1000mg/Magnesium 500mg (or Natural Calm) – continue regimen from previous weeks
-Raspberry leaf tea – 2-3 cups per day OR 2 capsules 2 times per day
-Omega-3s (Essential Fatty Acids) – continue regimen from previous weeks
-Probiotics – as directed
The world health organization (WHO) defines probiotics as, “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Probiotic use in pregnancy is has been shown to have many benefits. Improve immune function, reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, Decrease constipation and diarrhea, Improve absorption of beneficial fatty acids and nutrients from our diet, helps maintain a proper vaginal pH which may help prevent and help cure yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Probiotics exist in many strains. Most of the proboitics beneficial to our intestinal tract health is found in high quality yogurts and have names like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei. Strains found to target the female lower genital tract and aid in digestion includes names such as, L rhamnosus GR-1, L reuteri RC-14, and Saccharomyces boulardii.. Dosages: As directed or once daily until 28-30 weeks then increase dose for digestive health and possible prevention of GBS at term to 2-3 times a day until delivery. Natures Way Primadophilus® Reuteri supplies both Rhamnosus and Reuteri. There are many good probiotics. “Natures Bounty 10” is another example of a good probiotic and can be found at Publix.
-Apple Cider Vinegar – continue regimen from previous weeks
Weeks 36 to Birth
1Prenatal Vitamins, Red Raspberry, Probiotics, Essential Fatty Acids, Evening Primrose Oil, 5-W or other herbal groups, Daily Exercise, 6 date fruits per day
-Prenatal Vitamins – continue regimen from previous weeks
-Calcium 1000mg/Magnesium 500mg (or Natural Calm) – same
-Raspberry leaf tea – 3 – 4 cups per day
-Evening Primrose Oil – 1,000 mg 3 times/day : Helps to soften cervix and all the surrounding tissues for an easier birth, this helps to prevent tearing of tissues during labor (This does not start labor). If decide to insert the nighttime dose vaginally you must poke a hole into the gelcap prior to inserting.
-5-W, or P-6, or Smooth Birthing or Gentle Birth – These do NOT start labor. They are however composed of several herbs that work well together to help prepare the body for labor and birth. If you have researched these products and do decide to add one of these to your regimen PLEASE ONLY choose ONE.
-Probiotics – as directed on 13-35 weeks suggestion sheet.
-Omega-3s (Essential Fatty Acids) – continue regimen from previous weeks
-Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – continue regimen from previous weeks
-Dates (a fruit that has at least 15 different minerals including potassium and iron, 14 types of fatty acids, 23 types of amino acids, at least 6 vitamins, fiber and more) – consuming 6 per day from 36 weeks onward have shown significant results for: More women had spontaneous labor, greater dilation, and intact membranes upon hospital admission, and fewer needed augmentation with Pitocin.
-Natural alternatives that some may use to try and initiate labor after 39 weeks are:
1. Eating spicy food, eggplant parmesean, pineapple, black licorice
2. Intercourse (semen contains natural prostaglandins which may help to ripen/soften the cervix. When a woman has an orgasm it releases Oxytocin which is the same hormone that causes contractions)
3. Nipple stimulation – Only massage one breast at a time. Do not just grab the nipple, rub the areola in a gentle rolling way with palm or fingers. May use a breast pump. Pump for 5 minutes then wait 15 minutes to see what happens. Do not continue if contractions are three minutes apart or one minute long.
4. Acupuncture may help. There is a great acupuncturist named Dr. Dru 770-518-6607 in Roswell.
5. Get a pregnancy/accupressure massage. It is important that your massage therapist is experienced in pregnancy.
Recommendation: Glow Anti-Aging Center and Medical Spa:
401 South Main Street Suite B-8 Alpharetta, GA 30009 www.agelessglowspa.com ph #770-740-8444
Many of these natural supplements may be found at:
Good Nutrition one location is at 10703 Alpharetta Hwy Roswell, GA
ph # 770-992-2362,
Herb & Vitamin Depot
Ph # 770-222-8038
5886 Wendy Bagwell Pkwy Suite 403
Hiram, GA 30141
Whole Foods
Natural Foods Warehouse