This article was written in collaboration with Johannesburg-based dietitian, Amanda Weber.
Pregnancy is a magical thing — your body is making a new human! But along with the lustrous hair and glowing skin, can come a few surprises that are less pleasant. Almost every pregnant woman will experience one or more of these common ailments, so here are a few ways to soothe them naturally.
1. Morning sickness & nausea
Caused by: Rapidly rising pregnancy hormones (which is why it often occurs in the first trimester). Nausea can also be triggered thanks to your enhanced sense of smell, and a potentially sensitive stomach.1
Try: Switch to taking your pregnancy multivitamin before bed, instead of first thing in the morning. Also, remember that ginger in all forms helps to reduce nausea. Try ginger sweets, ginger ale, an infusion or tea, crystallised or biscuits — whatever is easiest. Peppermint oil capsules also help by relaxing the stomach muscles, reducing the cramps that can result in vomiting. Amanda recommends: Drinking coconut water which is great for replacing both water and electrolytes.
2. Heartburn
Caused by: Pressure from the growing baby on your internal organs, compressing your stomach. It can also be caused by raised progesterone levels, which reduce the smooth muscle tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter.2
Try: Eating small, low fat meals more regularly and avoid fatty, spicy or very fibrous food (like seed bread or muesli), nuts and seeds, as well as the skins and pips from fruit that can aggravate the condition.
Amanda recommends: Drinking a cup (250ml) of lukewarm water with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey.
3. Muscle cramps
Caused by: An increase in magnesium requirements during pregnancy means that muscle cramps can hit you any time, but the middle of the night is common. These shooting pains down the backs of your legs can be extremely uncomfortable.
Try: Take a magnesium tablet at night to relieve the symptoms (but remember to check any supplements with your healthcare provider first). Dark, good quality chocolate is also rich in magnesium, so give into this craving and have a block or two.
Amanda recommends: A green, magnesium-rich smoothie made from baby spinach, avocado and lemon.
4. Constipation
Caused by: Increased levels of progesterone in the body causes digestion to slow down, and reduces gut motility, resulting in constipation.
Try: A diet rich in natural laxatives, such as prunes, papaya, and flax seeds. You can eat prunes or drink the juice, and papaya helps to accelerate the motility of food through the intestine. Try to avoid eating lots of red meat, bananas or yellow cheeses, as these can aggravate constipation.
Amanda recommends: Soaking flax seeds in some water, juice or rooibos tea and adding this mixture to your morning yoghurt or oats.
5. Itchy skin
Caused by: Itchy or a burning sensation on the skin can be caused by higher than usual oestrogen levels, and your rapidly stretching skin.
Try: Adding essential fatty acids like Omegas into your diet, by eating salmon, sardines or mackerel. You can also take an Omega supplement, which will support your baby and help to relieve the itching.
Amanda recommends: Rubbing the affected area with sesame or almond oil, or wiping it with a rooibos-soaked cotton pad.
The nine or so months of pregnancy can feel like an eternity, especially if you aren’t feeling your best. With these natural remedies, and always consulting your doctor if you feel anything out of the ordinary, we hope that your pregnancy is the very best experience it can be.
Sources:
- Eat up! Natural remedies for common pregnancy ailments: http://www.calgaryschild.com/parenting/prenatal-newborn/1570-eat-up-natural-remedies-for-common-pregnancy-ailments
- Heartburn & Indigestion – Pregnancy: http://www.gaviscon.co.za/heartburn-indigestion/pregnancy/
