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Here is a collection of remedies and advice that
Karin has found very useful in the physical
preparation of the body, and especially the
uterus, for natural childbirth.
(Please discuss these methods and remedies with
your midwife or doctor)
WHAT TO CAN TAKE:
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Raspberry
leaves |
During the last one to two months of pregnancy,
raspberry leaves help to prepare and tone the
uterine muscles for labour and delivery.
(Please do this under supervision of your
midwife). After birth raspberry leaves help the
uterus to return to normal. Raspberry leaf
encourages the flow of mother’s milk
HOW TO MAKE IT!
As a tea – brew one teaspoonful of dried leaves in
hot water – drink 2-3 cups daily.
And/or take raspberry leaf tablets 3x p/d after
meals (obtainable from your health shop)
Other uses:
Good
for diarrhoea (also for children), throat
irritations, mouth ulcers and to relieve period
pains.
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Cannophyllum |
This homeopathic preparation helps ease
childbirth.
How to take it:
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Take 5 granules under tongue once daily during
the last two weeks of pregnancy |
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Evening
Primrose Oil
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Take during the last month of pregnancy to prepare
the cervix and perineum for childbirth.
HOW TO TAKE IT:
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Orally:
1 capsule 3x p/d |
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Vaginally:
insert 1 capsule at night before bedtime |
WHAT TOU CAN DO:
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Childbirth
classes
are essential for educating new parents about
pregnancy and childbirth issues. You will gain
knowledge of what is happening to your body as you
move through labour, and this knowledge enables
you to relax. A lack of knowledge often causes
nervous tension that in turns causes muscle
tension, which is associated with slow and
difficult childbirth. Emotional and mental
preparation for childbirth is just as important as
the physical preparation. |
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Obstetric
TENS machine
(Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) is
used to facilitate an easier, natural childbirth
experience for the mother. The TENS is a little
portable machine that consists of a 9 volt battery
driven unit with 4 electrodes, which are placed on
specific areas on the back.
WHEN TO USE IT:
·
Practice
from 37 weeks of pregnancy: practice for 20 mins
every second day. Useful in relieving lower back
pain. Start producing and storing endorphins(the
body’s natural painkillers)
· During
labour: the nerve stimulation provided by the
electrodes interferes with the pain signals as
they travel from the uterus, via the spinal cord,
to the brain. As labour progresses you can
tolerate higher levels of stimulation with greater
effect. It also increases endorphin secretion
· After
natural labour: the TENS can also be used for the
relief of after pains in the days after giving
birth, as your uterus contracts down to its
pre-pregnancy size
· After
Caesarean section: used to relieve pain at the
wound-site, and accelerate healing (this is the
only time the electrodes will be placed on the
abdomen, on either side of the wound).
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Nipple
stimulation aids the
release of oxytocin, a
hormone that facilitates
contractions during labour (it is also secreted
when the foetus stimulates the cervix) and that
stimulates the release of milk from the breasts.
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HOW:
Stimulate the nipple by rolling it between the
fingers for approximately 20 min at a time.
WHEN:
Can start nipple stimulation shortly before your
due date – also a natural labour induction
technique
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Loving,
touching and sex.
Oxytocin is enhanced by
feelings of safety, relaxation and light-touch
massage and inhibited by fear or stress.
Activities that generate feelings of comfort,
pleasure or enthusiasm, such as touch, privacy,
praise, aromatherapy and movement, improve the
release of the body’s natural pain killers,
endorphins.
Semen consist of a hormone prostaglandin that
helps soften the cervix in preparation for natural
childbirth. |
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Reflexology
is
often used to facilitate labour by balancing
energies in the body and stimulating certain areas
involved in childbirth, e.g. the uterus, adrenal
glands, colon, hypothalamus and pituitary gland,
amongst others. |
childbirth
