Natural Treatments for Stretch Marks and Other Pregnancy Aches and Pains
Natural cures and remedies for headaches, nausea, constipation, heartburn, skin blemishes and, yes, stretch marks from our Ask An Organic Mom blog.
By Alexandra Zissu
No 2 Pregnancies Are Alike, But ...
In the past week, two lovely, adorable pregnant moms I know -- including my across-the-hall neighbor -- have mentioned having some serious aches and pains. Both are around the six-to-seven-month mark of their pregnancies.
I also had some intense discomfort around that time, though I had a very active and comfortable pregnancy overall. Although "comfortable pregnancy" might actually be an oxymoron, I was standing on my head in yoga until the bitter endless end. So I went through my notes -- and my book, The Complete Organic Pregnancy -- to give them both some natural tips and remedies for common pregnancy pains. I remember how surprised I was that some of the simplest, most obvious things helped me feel better when pregnant and in pain. This was a relief, as I did not want to be taking medicine, over the counter or otherwise, if I could avoid it when incubating my daughter. As it turns out, for mundane ailments, meds are quite avoidable.
The following suggestions are obviously largely anecdotal. They work in varying degrees. Pregnancy is pregnancy. Some women never feel uncomfortable during their 40-plus weeks, some women never feel comfortable. Drinking extra water or going for a walk isn't suddenly going to relieve you of the fact that you've got a heavy orb growing off your front. These aren't miracle cures. But basic steps and fixes can absolutely help in some of the more "ouch" moments. If anything on the list below seems suspect to you, run it by your midwife or OB before giving it a try. And chime in in comments below with other suggestions that have worked for you. Sometimes bitching about your ailments with people who are going through similar issues is all the relief you need.
Natural Cures for Headache
- Are you avoiding drinking because of the endless bathroom trips? Quit it! Drink more water than you thought humanly possible. It works wonders for headaches. (Remember -- as soon as you're breastfeeding you'll be drinking even more than this...).
- Rest, even if your to-do list is miles long.
Natural Remedies For Heartburn
- Elevate the upper part of your mattress (stick something underneath it to prop it up - a great trick for a congested baby, too).
- Avoid foods likely to upset your smushed-by-baby stomach and don't go to bed right after eating.
- Eat small meals frequently, rather than large meals three times a day.
Natural Cures for Nausea
- Don't brush your teeth right after you eat.
- Drink ginger, mint, and chamomile tea.
- Run cold water over your wrists; place a cold wet washcloth on the back of your neck.
- Never have an empty stomach - slightly counterintuitive that hungry equals nausea but for some reason when you're pregnant, it can. Even when you can't keep large amounts of food down, make sure to not be too hungry. Keep snacks that don't make you queasy (crackers? lollipops?) by your bed and in every purse you currently have in rotation so you're never stuck with nothing to nibble.
- Chew on ice. Or Popsicles.
- Try taking your prenatal vitamin at different points in the day (taking mine at night right before I fell asleep saved me from being sick to my stomach). If this doesn't help, try a new brand of vitamin.
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