Induction of Labor: Invalid Reasons

According to the research, not many of the common reasons for induction are evidence based. People are feared into induction too often unnecessarily. For a surprising number of conditions, there has been no proof of the benefit or effectiveness of labor induction but actually have been shown to cause more harm - like suspected big baby, being labeled as high risk by your age alone, isolated ow amniotic fluid, and intrauterine growth restriction before term.

The benefits of imminent birth must outweigh risks of induction of labor and all that entails. That is when mama’s or baby’s life is in jeopardy and imminent birth is life saving as compared to possible dangers of continued pregnancy.

Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday are certainly not complications of pregnancy. Rates of induction continues to skyrocket, remarkably so in the days leading up to the holidays, with US rates in general, way above the rates from even 20 - 30 years ago, but our outcomes are continuing to get worse! A large amount of research demonstrates the risks far outweigh the benefits of induction especially when mom and baby are healthy. Elective induction without a well-supported medical reason clearly increases risks - for babies especially before 39 weeks. Induction before 41 weeks significantly increases chance of having a cesarean birth, major abdominal surgery with all its associated risks - especially for first time vaginal birthers and having a cervix that is unripe - not ready. Induction also greatly increases the chance of needing pain relief like epidurals which have their own risks for both mom and baby.

For example, induction of labor is absolutely appropriate in worsening gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, if mama or baby has a serious illness in which prompt treatment is needed after birth. But even in pregnancies that go beyond 41-42 weeks, there are pros and cons, potential risks and benefits to watchful waiting versus labor induction, which must take into account mama’s preferences, knowing that she has medical legal right to autonomy and declining induction of labor.

IUGR is not an evidenced based reason to induce labor. There are a variety of known causes of true IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), like high blood pressure, heart/lung/kidney disease, diabetes, malnutrition, serious anemia, cigarette smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, certain infections, and fetal abnormalities. But do know that in well dated pregnancies, the majority (80-85%!) of babies identified as having IUGR are simply constitutionally small but healthy. They are just weighing below the tenth percentile. All of my four babies were off the growth charts diagnosed small for gestational age (SGA) but I and my husband are not tall and I simply make six pounders who consistently grew but stayed way below average in growth by height and weight even as kids.

Oligohydramnios - low amniotic fluid, by itself (not associated with other problems such as preeclampsia or birth defects) is also not a reason for induction as it is not associated with increased risk of poor outcomes, nor backed by the research. Actually, the main risk of low amniotic fluid at term in a healthy pregnancy is induction and cesarean as a result of the induction, and potentially the risk of lower birth weight of a baby born too early. There is no evidence that inducing labor for isolated oligohydramnios has any beneficial impact on mother or infant outcomes, but rather the risks of induction far outweigh the alleged benefits. A large body of research indicates that ultrasound measurement of low amniotic fluid is a poor predictor of actual amniotic fluid volume, so potentially inaccurate assessments dictate risky recommendations. Amniotic fluid in an otherwise healthy pregnancy lessens in the few weeks before birth, and post term related to decreased swallowing and urine output by baby. But it is often related to dehydration, seen more in summer months. If a mama drinks 2 - 2.5 liters of water daily she is likely to increase the amount of amniotic fluid volume, and she can up her amount if a low amount was detected on ultrasound.

Induction at 39 weeks of pregnancy is based on the Arrive study, which has flaws and goes against common sense as well as all the science & research up until now. The American College of Nurse Midwives does not support it and continues to advocate for spontaneous labor & healthy normal physiologic birth as well as a women’s right to self determination. For a thorough analysis of the the Arrive study on which these recommendations are based here are a few resources:

- evidencebasedbirth.com/arrive
- midwife.org/ACNM-responds-to-release-of-arrive-trial-study-results

- sarahbuckley.com/should-every-mother-be-induced-the-arrive-trial

- Lamaze.org/connecting-the-dots/parsing-the-arrive-trial-should-first-time-parents-be-routinely-induced-at-39-weeks.

Inducing labor or cesarean for suspected big baby in pregnancy isn't evidence based care and is potentially harmful. Estimated fetal weights based on ultrasound or abdominal assessment are notoriously inaccurate. They do not account for the ability of the pelvis to stretch, the power of mobility and gravity, baby's head’s ability to mould to navigate through the birth canal.

Especially because of the inaccuracy of estimated fetal weights, it is not evidence based care to induce labor or send you to the operating room for this alone. It is a fear based practice and has way more risks than benefits and again, not backed by the research. Time to stand firm. Don’t let them scare you. Fear increases your stress and negatively impacts your labor. You have the right to decline and even switch providers to those more calm, supportive of your choices and who practice evidence based care.

Even if baby is a good size, baby’s not yet fused skull bones can mould to fit through the pelvis which can stretch and increase capacity in asymmetrical upright and mobile positions, which also work with gravity. Plenty of mamas birth ‘big’ babies when given the opportunity and support. You have your provider there also as a lifeguard in case of need, like to relieve the uncommon but potentially serious complication of stuck shoulders called shoulder dystocia which can also happen in smaller babies. It’s certainly easier to push out smaller babies, and you can do your part by staying off sugar foods, refined carbohydrates, and juice. But no, don’t succumb to this routine practice of induction or scheduled cesarean for suspected big baby (macrosomia).

TRIGGER WARNING: With permission I share a tragic story of someone I knew who was having her first baby. She was told she needed to be induced before due date because they said baby’s weight was almost 10 pounds and she had a small frame. It was a top notch, highly esteemed medical center and hospital. Induction at 39 weeks no surprise didn't work, so birth was by cesarean. Baby weighed 7 1/2 pounds. Mom bled profusely during surgery. That is a risk of cesarean especially followed by medications for induction. She bled so much they removed her uterus. She ended up in a coma in the ICU and despite blood transfusions and intensive care she died. There is a patch for her in Ina May’s large Safe Motherhood patchwork quilt project, one patch devoted for every maternal death in the US.

For a more inspiring birth story of redemption, on a happier note, another mama came to my practice wanting a VBAC. Her first cesarean was done for suspected big baby over 9 pounds, but baby weighed only 7 pounds. She said her doctor told her no trial of labor as her pelvis was too small for her big baby and it would be too dangerous. She had a lot of trauma from her birth experience which propelled her to educate herself, prepare big time do things in a whole different way next baby. She took my online signature course Guide to Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum & used my Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition as her “bible” she called it. She read lots of other books, took my prenatal yoga classes….and switched to midwifery care with me against her obstetrician’s warnings she and her baby might die. We worked closely together. She was so proud of her ability to have a beautiful VBAC at home (HBAC), and that a 9 pound baby slipped right through her birth canal without a tear. She actually wrote her obstetrician telling him that her pelvis grew.

Sometimes I have to get real with you to drive a point. Despite all the money and technology of modern US medical and hospital care, the United States ranks the worse among developed countries in terms of birth outcome statistics - our maternal mortality and morbidity rates are on the rise like no other country, and rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality and birth trauma are also horrendous. The countries who have best outcome stats are countries that have more midwifery care that services the low risk healthy population who benefits most by not disturbing physiologic birth when all is well, leaving the obstetricians to provide care to those who have higher risk conditions, complications and need lifesaving medical and surgical care. When high risk care is applied to healthy low risk people, we see more problems, we contribute to the horrid outcome stats of our country.

So let baby come when they are supposed to come and don't let anyone pressure you into an unnecessary induction. Even back in 2013, a listening to mothers survey showed that 4 out of 10 mothers (41%) said their care provider tried to induce their labor. You have the right to say no and switch providers to those who support the natural process of letting labor start on its own when all is well. Rates of routine unnecessary inductions are on the rise - from 9% of births in 1989 to 31.37% of births in 2020, which increases risks - including failed induction as the body is not ready, & unnecessary cesarean with all that entails.

Remember we are not in control or as wise as the greater intelligence that designed the process. Giving birth is such a lesson in surrendering to that greater power that transcends us all.

What can you do? Empower yourself with resources like my book & online course Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum - bundled together or sold separately! Say No!! Prepare like a boss. Go to supportive providers. They are out there. We must be the change we want to see.

Interview with renowned author Henci Goer

It was such an honor to speak with renowned pregnancy and birth author Henci Goer…We talk all things out-of-hospital home and birth center birthing as well as hospital birth. What is the evidence saying about the safety of each option, and how can you best navigate the world of having a baby these days….to birth YOUR way, have safer outcomes and feel wonderful about your experience.

Starting out as a Lamaze teacher and doula, Henci Goer’s life’s work soon became analyzing and synthesizing the obstetric research in order to give pregnant women and birth professionals access to what constitutes optimal care in childbirth.

 She is the author of four books: Labor Pain: What’s Your Best Strategy?, Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach (co-author Amy Romano MSN, CNM), The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, and Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities. In addition, she has written numerous blog posts and articles and given lectures around the world. 

In recognition of her work, she has received, among others, the American College of Nurse-Midwives Best Book of the Year Award, Lamaze International’s President’s Award, DONA International’s Klaus & Kennell Research Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BOLD Atlanta, and the Media Award from the American Association of Birth Centers. 

The “Take Charge of Your Birth Series,” short books on single topics to help women make informed choices and obtain optimal care for themselves and their babies, is a continuation of her work. Labor Pain: What’s Your Best Strategy? is the first book in the new series. It delivers up-to-date access to the best medical research plus practical strategies for developing your plan and putting it into action. Also available in audiobook.

Website: hencigoer.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takechargeofyourbirth

Instagram: @takechargeofyourbirth

Her Latest Book: Labor Pain: What’s Your Best Strategy? is available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, hardback, and audiobook versions.

If you are planning a pregnancy, expecting, wanting to prepare as best you can for birth and postpartum, get yourself my online Guides!

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from over 27 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge, and experience into creating something truly special for you… my new Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Guides. My transfer rate from home to hospital is 7% which means 93% of mamas are having beautiful natural homebirths, and I have not once had to transfer a mama for an epidural because she could not handle the sensations of normal labor. Not once. A huge part of that is how I help them prepare. I want that for you!

As they say, knowledge is power, and my Guides/e-courses can be a great way to understand the pregnancy, birth and postpartum process, clear up any confusion and trepidation, find your confidence, inner calm and strength, bust through fears and misconceptions, get expert guidance on everything you need to know, learn coping tools and mindset shifts to last a lifetime, as well as boost your health and well-being, and absolutely love your experience no matter how challenging.

Whether you’re an experienced or new parent, there are over 24 hours of videos, workbooks, and PDFs to answer all of your questions. Everything in my Guide is searchable; so you can just type or talk and it’ll bring you right to the exact moment in the video where I answer your question. Try it! Say "Labor Positions" and it'll bring you right to the moment I start talking about positions ideal for labor. It’ll blow your mind!

The key to a positive birth is feeling confident, strong, relaxed, and empowered during the entire process, regardless of the twists and turns it may take. I give my full heart and all I know in everything I do to support Moms like you!

have created THREE Guides with hours of searchable videos, workbooks and pdfs to lead you to the birth of your dreams! They are easy to use, mobile friendly, and transliterated and translated in Spanish, French, and any language you need! AND THAT IS HUGE! TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW, AND YOU HAVE LIFETIME ACCESS.

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For more in depth discussion and holistic modalities for common ailments through the entire journey of having a baby, check out my Natural Birth Secrets book 2nd edition, available in print, kindle and ebook.

Natural Birth Secrets: An Insider's Guide...How to Give Birth Holistically, Healthfully and Safely, & Love the Experience! 2nd edition eBook

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Vaginitis: Natural Prevention and Treatment

Vaginitis: Natural Prevention and Treatment

Just about every woman is susceptible to vaginitis, or vaginal infection, at some point in her life. But not every vaginal symptom is related to an infection. Sometimes it is simply a sign of normal changes in a woman’s cycle or pregnancy. Other times it is related to temporary inflammation, local irritation or other causes. There is much to learn about your vagina and keeping it healthy and feeling well.

Discharge changes in response to the changing hormonal environment throughout the menstrual cycle. For example, women notice an increased amount of clear to cloudy, odorless, slimy egg-white discharge around the time of ovulation to help the sperm reach and fertilize the egg. The hormones of pregnancy also cause an increase in normal vaginal discharge, as well as an alteration in the acid/base balance of the vagina. This can lead to an imbalance of normally occurring microorganisms, and thus increase one’s susceptibility to vaginal infections (especially yeast).

The normal reduction of hormones during breastfeeding, and more dramatically after menopause, cause the vaginal walls to become thinner and dryer. This makes the area more prone to becoming sore (especially during sexual intercourse), irritated, and prone to yeast infections. Allow time for the normal increase in vaginal secretions during sexual arousal before penetration, and use all-natural water soluble lubricants or Astro-glide. Menopausal women may want to consider the option of bio-identical all-natural hormonal vaginal cream.

Possible Culprits for Vaginitis

The vaginal area is sensitive and can easily become irritated (look red, burn, and/or itch) for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, this is from substances within a new product that you or your sexual partner are using, such as:

• Detergent, fabric softener or bleach

• Chemically scented body soap or bath oil, powder or lotion

• Douches, deodorant vaginal sprays and perfumes

• Tight clothing

• Synthetic underwear or pantyhose

• Colored or perfumed toilet paper

• Conventional pads and tampons

• Vigorous and frequent sexual intercourse (more than 3 times in 24 hours)

• Foreign objects in the vagina such as contraceptive devices, spermicidal cream, foam, jelly and medication applied locally, dildos and vibrators

• Bubble baths, hot tubs, and prolonged or frequent immersion in a swimming pool

• Hanging out in a wet bathing suit

• Horseback riding or cycling

Eliminate these irritants one by one to see if your symptoms improve. Buy a mild natural detergent without bleach (such as those made for infant clothes), or use an extra rinse in your laundry cycle. Use corn starch rather than talc-based powder to keep dry. Buy white unscented toilet paper, and avoid perfumed toiletries and feminine hygiene products. Try using a menstrual cup or go organic and green with your pads and tampons. 

Bacterial overgrowth is another common cause of vaginal infections that is often associated with frequent sexual intercourse and other factors that upset the normal balance of the vaginal flora (such as routine douching and medications like antibiotics, steroids, hormones) and results in an overgrowth of organisms like gardnerella. It occurs in all women, even those in a mutually monogamous relationship, as it is not believed to be sexually transmitted. 

Bacterial vaginosis should be treated with prescription medication in pregnancy as it has been implicated in premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor and uterine infection postpartum. It carries risks for all women, namely increased susceptibility to other more serious sexually transmitted and genital tract infections, as well as reproductive disorders from ectopic pregnancy and fertility issues, to pelvic inflammatory disease. Men generally do not have symptoms, same sex partners can absolutely have symptoms, but all partners should be treated simultaneously so they do not reinfect their spouse. A vaginal antibiotic is a short term band-aid that may or may not work and recurrence is common, so it is important to follow the prevention and natural treatment suggestions below for a more effective long term solution.

A vaginal infection caused by trichomonas protozoa is most often sexually transmitted when there is more than one sexual partner. However, less commonly it can be caused by anal-vaginal contact, sitting on a dirty wet toilet seat or being splashed with dirty toilet water, use of communal baths or hot tubs, and sharing moist contaminated clothing, washcloths or towels. 

This type of infection also needs treatment in pregnancy as it has been associated with complications similar to bacterial vaginitis. Your sexual partner should be treated simultaneously to avoid recurrences in you, even though he may be without symptoms. If you have a trichomonas infection, you should be screened for other more serious sexually transmitted infections, and protect yourself by having a mutually monogamous sexual relationship, abstinence from intercourse or at least by using latex condoms (with spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 if you want to prevent pregnancy as well).

Vaginitis Prevention

Unless you have an actual vaginal infection or are prone to one, you should avoid routine douching (especially in pregnancy), as it washes out the natural secretions and organisms that normally reside in the vagina. Further, it alters the delicate acid-base balance there that actually protects you from infection. The only exception is if you are NOT pregnant and treating an actual confirmed infection, or are prone to recurrent vaginal infections and nothing else is working.

If you are pregnant, you can certainly acidify your system by drinking unsweetened cranberry juice diluted in other fruit juices to reduce the sour taste, or add a scoop of cranberry juice powder to your smoothies, oatmeal or yogurt. You can also take powdered cranberry juice concentrate in capsule form, like Cranactin (1 capsule twice daily). Combine 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar, juice of ½ fresh lemon and honey to taste in a cup of hot water and drink several cups daily. 

Calendula cream or diluted tincture, or aloe vera gel, applied morning and night helps strengthen vaginal tissues, heal minor abrasions, relieve pain and discourage infection. You can spread some of the gel onto a menstrual pad and wear it throughout the day.

Change tampons and pads at each bathroom visit, and do not leave in for more than 8 hours at a time. Avoid tampons during scant menstrual flow and a vaginal infection. Or switch to menstrual cups.

Wear cotton crotch stockings, loose clothing, and organic cotton underwear changed daily. Even better, skip the underwear altogether and go panty- free, especially during sleep, to allow for air circulation and to keep the area dry and hostile to infectious organisms. As soon as practical, change out of wet bathing suits and sweaty clothing.

You and your partner each need to wash the genital area daily with a mild soap, rinse and dry well. Always wipe yourself from the front (vagina) towards the back (anus) to avoid contamination from the bowel. Avoid painful or abrasive sex, and sexual practices that involve the anal/rectal area.

Don’t share unwashed bathtubs, towels, washcloths, contraceptives or douching equipment. Avoid reinfection by not reusing washcloths, towels and underwear that have not been laundered. And don’t sit on public toilets - either squat or put paper on the seat before sitting. 

Maintain health and general resistance to infection by eating a nourishing and wholesome diet that includes:

• Lots of fresh organic fruits and vegetables

• Whole grains

• Beans and tofu

• Nuts, nut butters and seeds

• Organic whole eggs

• Turkey or chicken

• Beef, lamb, wild game

• Fresh raw organic whole dairy—ideally goat or sheep (avoid dairy if you get recurrent yeast infections)

• Fish tested free of pollutants or from non-polluted waters like wild Alaskan salmon

• At least 64 ounces daily between meals of filtered, spring or well water (at least 20-30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating) 

• Organic cold expeller pressed extra virgin olive and coconut oil or goat butter for cooking

Minimize highly processed foods laden with refined white flour, sugars, refined vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated fats, as well as products with food dyes, chemicals and preservatives. If you are prone to recurrent vaginal infections, you many find the best results by completely avoiding sugar, simple refined carbohydrates, fruit juices, dairy and alcohol.

Eat more fresh garlic (a few cloves daily sautéed, baked or crushed into salads or added to cooked vegetables) and Asian mushrooms (like shiitake and maitake) to boost your immune system. Take a good all-natural food-based multivitamin, mineral and probiotic supplement to ensure you are getting full nourishment beyond what is supplied by diet alone. Limit exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins (this also includes those found in drugs, cigarettes, food, water, cosmetics, toiletries, and household products).  

Be sure to get enough sleep, and exercise 30 minutes 5 days per week. Good options are brisk walking, dancing, cycling, swimming or low impact aerobics. 

The mind, body and heart are intricately connected and when out of balance, dis-ease can result - physical or emotional. You can create more joy by doing more of what you love, and create more inner calm and peace of mind with several daily “healing intervals” or breaks during the day to calm and center yourself, which will enhance your health tremendously. Use such techniques as meditation, breathwork and/or prayer. Do regular yoga (especially Yin, prenatal, gentle and restorative), practice progressive muscle relaxation techniques (yoga nidra), QiGong, Tai Chi, or take a walk outside in nature. Read these recent blog posts on natural remedies for stress and ways to manage your emotions. Make a conscious effort to improve your emotional state and reaction to stress, surrounding yourself as much as possible with people, things, sounds and  places that inspire, relax and restore you, while limiting exposure to things and people that agitate your mind and create negativity. For more information about this and other great ways to improve your physical and emotional well-being, read Natural Health, Natural Medicine by Dr. Andrew Weil, Practicing the Power Of  Now by Eckhart Tolle, Loving What Is by Byron Katie, and Prescriptions for Living by Dr. Bernie Siegel. 

Natural Treatment for Vaginitis

If you develop an unusual change in the amount, color, consistency or odor in your vaginal discharge with itching, burning and/or soreness, you may have a vaginal infection. The following natural remedies are quite effective against vaginal infections and are often safer (especially in pregnancy). They can certainly be used in the early stages of your symptoms without having to know the responsible organism. Many of the treatments mentioned below can be adapted to your sexual partner. 

It is best to avoid intercourse and oral sex until the vaginal infection has cleared up, as the area is uncomfortable, irritated and needs time to heal. And it is possible to pass the infection to your partner unless you are using condoms. 

Wash the genitals after urinating and after sex as the associated fluids can aggravate the situation (squirt yourself from to back with a peri-bottle filled with warm water and any of the herbs or herbal combination mentioned below). Wash undergarments in hot water, disinfect tubs, and soak your diaphragm, douche equipment and sex toys in vinegar.

If you are not pregnant, while reclining in the empty bathtub, use a vinegar douche once daily until the symptoms improve for 7-10 days. You can make your own by mixing ¼ part apple cider vinegar with 3/4 part warm water in a reusable douche bag. A douche of cranberry juice concentrate (one tablespoon to one quart of water) is also very effective to acidify the vaginal environment and discourage growth of infectious organisms, as is a solution of pure all-natural grapefruit seed extract as directed. If the acidic applications are too irritating, try douching with 2 Tbsp baking soda to 1 cup water instead. A douche of 1 ½ Tbsp Tea Tree oil to 1 cup warm water 2–3 times per day is a very effective anti-fungal, as are the Tea Tree oil vaginal suppositories.  

If you are prone to recurrent yeast infections, especially after sex, antibiotics or a known trigger, you can use a lower dose vinegar douche once to ensure the vagina is mildly acidic and hostile to unwanted bacteria. To make the douche, combine 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or pure lemon juice with a pint of warm water. Again, routine douching for general hygiene is not recommended, as it is actually harmful and increases risk of genital tract infection.

If you are pregnant or simply prefer not to douche, you can acidify the vagina with vaginally inserted ActiGel, Vitanica vaginal suppository, or you can put a few cups pure apple cider vinegar in your bath water or ½ cup vinegar in a warm sitz bath. Either way soak for 15-20 minutes several times a day. Another effective option for is to apply 600 mg of encapsulated pharmacy grade Boric Acid suppositories inserted high in the vagina for 1 to 2 weeks (although ideally not during pregnancy).

Add Aveeno powder (oatmeal), or a few drops of the essential oils of Calendula, Chamomile or Lavender to the bath water and sitz bath to help soothe symptoms of itching and irritation, and to the peri-bottle of water for use after the bathroom. You can also add tea tree, sandalwood and/or thyme oil to help fight the infection.

Restore your gut and vaginal flora. Take a multi organism high colony count probiotic for women orally as directed, that includes the strains Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. A reputable brand is Green’s First Probiotic for Women. You can also place 1-2 capsules high in the vagina in the morning and before going to sleep for 2 weeks. If you are not pregnant, a few live culture tablets can be dissolved in one quart of water to be used as a douche once daily for a week, then every other day for a week, then twice weekly for a few more weeks (you can alternate this with your vinegar douche).

Apply plain live-culture yogurt to the affected areas and vagina as needed to help relieve itching, inflammation and restore the normal bacterial environment in the vagina. Put a few Tbsp of yogurt on your finger and smear it inside the walls of your vagina and around your cervix, or use a vaginal applicator to insert the yogurt. Repeat twice daily during an infection and a few times weekly if you are prone to recurrences. You can also dilute 16 ounces of yogurt in the water for a sitz bath. (Yuck! But it works!).

Garlic suppositories are also effective. To use, insert a peeled clove lubricated with olive oil high up into your vagina before bed for a few weeks before bed, and in the morning. You can wrap it in a thin layer of gauze with a tail for retrieval, but it is not necessary as it will eventually come out itself in your discharge. Don’t worry - it can’t get lost or travel further up then your vagina, which is a dead end. 

Wet compresses of Burrows solution can be soothing to irritated skin - apply externally only. Comfrey Root powder, Slippery Elm powder and Marshmallow Root powder, will also soothe dry itchy vaginal tissue, relieve irritated and inflamed tissue and promote healthy skin growth. Goldenseal Root powder is effective for treating the actual infection and enhancing your immune response. You can apply each powder or an equal part mixture directly to the vulva and vagina daily for 1-2 weeks. You can make your own healing compress by mixing 1 Tbsp of any of the herbal powders with 1 cup warm water. Dip gauze pads in to make the compresses and apply. You can also soak a menstrual pad and wear it throughout the day.

Apply healing and soothing salves that contain Chickweed, Calendula and/or Plantain, to relieve itching, reduce inflammation and discourage infection. Also, use topical vitamin E oil to aid healing on itching and sore inflamed skin. 

Some find it helpful to apply fresh bee honey for its anti-fungal properties, and to moisturize and heal tender tissue (sticky!).

You can drink Burdock root, Chickweed and Dandelion root teas, but an herbal combination infusion or tincture is more effective to reduce inflammation and infection. You can make your own by steeping a handful of each Dandelion root, Chickweed and Burdock root into a quart of boiling water, brew covered for a few hours, strain in a glass mason jar and drink 1-2 cups daily. You can add fresh lemon or lime juice, mint leaves or a dash of honey to taste. If you prefer the tincture, take 1-2 dropperfuls each of Burdock root, Chickweed, and Dandelion root tinctures 1-3 times per day.

For any infection, you can always use Gaia’s Echinacea Supreme tincture to kill unwanted germs as well as stimulate your own immune system. Take 1-2 dropperfuls every few hours at the earliest sign of infection. Make sure your diet and multivitamin is sufficient in Vitamins C, E,  B complex, A with mixed carotenoids, selenium and omega threes. 

If you are not pregnant, you can take additional immune boosting supplements: 

• Vitamin C, 1000 mg 3-4 times per day

• Zinc, 25-50 mg every day

•  Vitamin E, 400-800 IU each day

• Vitamin B complex 50 mg three times daily until the infection has cleared.

• If you are prone to frequent infection, you may want to consider daily supplements in addition to a multivitamin to enhance immunity. Good options are New Chapter’s Garlicforce, Oil of Oregano, Olive Leaf, Goldenseal, and Host Defense combination of Asian mushrooms 1-2 capsules each daily, as well as oral all natural Grapefruit Seed extract as directed. If you are pregnant, these remedies and doses are a safer option to combat infection and boost immunity.

For those who have recurrent vaginal infections not helped by these suggestions, at first onset of symptoms and around the time you usually get the symptoms (for example after sex, antibiotics, your period, swimming, certain stresses), apply vaginally as directed RePhresh vaginal gel (up to every three days), or a vaginal Prebiotic.

Natural Treatment Specific For Yeast and Bacterial Vaginosis Infection

Yeast and bacterial vaginosis infections both occur more frequently under the following circumstances:

• During pregnancy 

• After menopause

• With increased stress

• Use of certain medications (such as antibiotics, steroids, and hormones)

• A diet high in simple sugar, refined carbohydrates and/or alcohol

• Frequent or regular douching

• Wearing synthetic tight underwear, thongs, pantyhose, and using conventional menstrual and products laden with toxic chemicals and synthetic fragrances.

• Anemia, obesity, diabetes, and other medical conditions that increase blood sugar and/or alter the normal environment in the gut and vagina, or suppress the immune system.

Limit excess intake of sugars (including fruits and fruit juices), refined carbohydrates (white breads, cakes, and other such products, especially those that contain yeast and gluten), and fermented foods (like synthetic yeast and pickles) until the problem has cleared up. One of my Integrative OB/GYN role models, Dr. Christiane Northrup advises actually increasing certain fermented foods rich in healthy bacteria like miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, and plain yogurt for both bacterial vaginosis and yeast vaginitis. You may need to limit or avoid these foods plus others on a regular basis if you are otherwise healthy but prone to frequent yeast infections and follow the yeast free or anti-candida diet, which is very strict and not clear that it makes a difference or worth the trouble. And do a healthy full body detox, like with Bentonite Clay. See a naturopath or holistic nutritionist for additional guidance.

Eat more fresh vegetables (especially the dark green ones, raw garlic and onion, turnips, and cabbage), quality protein, complex carbohydrates (like brown rice, quinoa, kasha and millet), and live culture plain yogurt. 

For vaginal candida, you can take homeopathic Yeast Guard internally, insert homeopathic vaginal suppositories or Yeast Arrest by Vitanica vaginally as directed and apply it externally as well - all safe in pregnancy. Consult a classical homeopath who can prescribe a homeopathic oral remedy specific to your individual symptoms if without relief or you get recurrent infections.

Drink Pau D’Arco tea (3 cups per day), use the superfood powder in cooking, and/or insert tampons soaked in the extract vaginally and change every 12 hours. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties. If you are not pregnant, take Pau D’Arco  500 mg capsules, 2-4 once or twice daily. You can also use it in your douche (1 part strong tea to 3 parts warm water) or douche with ½ teaspoon of Goldenseal powder to 1 cup warm water 1-2 times per day.  

Dr. Aviva Romm advises creating your own herbal suppositories. Although they do take some effort, they are very effective. She also recommends supplements to support your adrenals and stress response, especially if you are getting recurrent infections related to increased stress and overwork so common in modern times.

If all else fails, for yeast, you can use diluted Gentian Violet painted locally for more stubborn cases (yes, it temporarily stains everything bluish purple), or contact your provider for prescriptive medications (ideally after the first trimester of pregnancy). Frequent use of antifungal creams such as Monistat and Gyne-Lotrimin sold over the counter in grocery or drug stores is discouraged for they are not strong enough and can promote the growth of less common yeast strains, leading to recurrent or persistent infections. Your sexual partner will need treatment only if symptomatic or you are otherwise healthy but suffer from chronic or repeated episodes.

Please consult your practitioner if the above mentioned suggestions do not help, your symptoms become worse, do not clear up after 1-2 weeks, or recur frequently. And certainly if you develop:

• Lower abdominal pain

• Fever

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting

• Heavier or more painful periods

• Unusual lumps or sores

• Sexual contact with someone suspected of having syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, warts, herpes or HIV infection

• Bleeding, regular contractions or cramping, low pelvic or back pressure, or leaking fluid with pregnancy

Aside from being uncomfortable, untreated yeast infections are not dangerous, but if they occur close to delivery can increase the chance of newborn thrush and subsequent yeast infection of the breast feeding nipples. 

For those with any sort of chronic frequent infections in which serious causes have been ruled out and none of the natural and allopathic remedies help, consult your provider. If you need more personal guidance, as always,  schedule a chat with me so I can advise you about the best supplements, remedies and dosages specific to your situation.

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If you are planning a pregnancy, expecting, wanting to prepare as best you can for birth and postpartum, get yourself my online Guides!

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from over 27 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge, and experience into creating something truly special for you… my new Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Guides. My transfer rate from home to hospital is 7% which means 93% of mamas are having beautiful natural homebirths, and I have not once had to transfer a mama for an epidural because she could not handle the sensations of normal labor. Not once. A huge part of that is how I help them prepare. I want that for you!

As they say, knowledge is power, and my Guides/courses can be a great way to understand the pregnancy, birth and postpartum process, clear up any confusion and trepidation, find your confidence, inner calm and strength, bust through fears and misconceptions, get expert guidance on everything you need to know, learn coping tools and mindset shifts to last a lifetime, as well as boost your health and well-being, and absolutely love your experience no matter how challenging.

Whether you’re an experienced or new parent, there are over 24 hours of videos, workbooks, and PDFs to answer all of your questions. Everything in my Guide is searchable; so you can just type or talk and it’ll bring you right to the exact moment in the video where I answer your question. Try it! Say "Labor Positions" and it'll bring you right to the moment I start talking about positions ideal for labor. It’ll blow your mind!

The key to a positive birth is feeling confident, strong, relaxed, and empowered during the entire process, regardless of the twists and turns it may take. I give my full heart and all I know in everything I do to support Moms like you!

have created THREE Guides with hours of searchable videos, workbooks and pdfs to lead you to the birth of your dreams! They are easy to use, mobile friendly, and transliterated and translated in Spanish, French, and any language you need! AND THAT IS HUGE! TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW, AND YOU HAVE LIFETIME ACCESS.

Pregnancy

Childbirth & Labor

Postpartum

These are an insider’s Guide to the joys and challenges of giving birth in modern times created by a seasoned holistic nurse midwife who has seen everything! Learn simple tricks of the trade to make the journey to motherhood more holistically healthy and fulfilling.
You will have direct access to me through the Guides and I can help you:

• Plan a pregnancy and discuss preconception and pregnancy holistic health

• Get the support and guidance you need to answer all of your questions to create a birth experience you love and treasure forever

• Understand holistic modalities on woman's health issues

• Get the support and tools you need for stress reduction

• Answer questions and make informed decisions

BUY NOW!

Give yourself this gift a lifetime to have the experience of your dreams, you will treasure forever.

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: How to Prevent and Treat Naturally

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: How to Prevent and Treat Naturally

About 6-10% of pregnant women develop consistently high blood pressure. Typically if mild, by itself it’s usually harmless. But, if not monitored or controlled, it can be dangerous, and it may lead to a more serious condition known as pre-eclampsia, which poses a threat to the health of you and your baby.

Always remember that blood pressure varies widely in healthy individuals and is normally sensitive to moment-to-moment changes in activity, posture, nutritional status and emotional factors. It can even be a response to a fear of high blood pressure or being diagnosed with a complication! It is the steady and consistent increase that is concerning.

To Prevent High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy

Regular aerobic exercise involving moderate exertion throughout pregnancy is one of the best ways to maintain health and prevent high blood pressure. Some good options are brisk walking, dancing and swimming. If you are a beginner, build up gradually to the ideal goal of at least 30 minutes 5 times per week. Gentle forms of meditative movement like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and yoga (especially Yin, gentle, prenatal and restorative) also help maintain normal blood pressure. Below are more tips for preventing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

CONSIDER YOUR DIET

Avoid stimulants such as spicy or peppery foods (including foods with large amounts of nutmeg, mustard or ginger), caffeinated products, nicotine products, cocaine, diet pills, and other stimulant herbs and medications. 

Avoid excessive weight gain. Eat a highly nutritious, high fiber and protein diet to prevent hypertensive disease and to avoid excess weight gain. Avoid foods that are highly processed and refined or laden with sugars, white flour and unhealthy refined vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated fat. Replace with lots of fresh organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and at least 80 grams of protein. Healthy protein options include:

• Fish tested free of pollutants or from non-polluted waters, like wild Alaskan salmon

• Tempeh, tofu, beans and seed products

• Lots of nuts, nut milk and nut butters 

• Limited animal protein in turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, and wild game, fresh organic raw dairy, ideally goat or sheep, and whole organic eggs 

• Protein powders

Take your prenatal supplements so you get the nourishment you need for your pregnancy, that is not supplied by diet alone. Especially important are an excellent whole food prenatal vitamin and omega three essential fatty acids.. Be sure to include foods high in Calcium, like raw or cooked greens except spinach, sesame seeds/tahini, salmon and sardines, and dairy. You may need additional Calcium so you get 1200 -1500 mg of Calcium daily. 

Substitute vegetable oils with healthy fats like organic cold expeller pressed extra virgin olive in your cooking. You can salt your food according to taste (a dash of Himalayian sea salt or tamari is best), but avoid excess and processed foods high in sodium. 

Drink at least 64 ounces of fluids each day between meals, at least 20-30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating. Opt for filtered, spring or well water, herbal tea, soup broth, or whole juiced veggies.

Add 1-2 Tbsp of powdered Spirulina to your daily smoothie or take as directed in capsule form. 

Drink strong Nettle, Red Raspberry and Dandelion teas regularly, as well as decaffeinated green tea. When feeling stressed, drink some strong calming Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Lavender , Passionflower, or Skullcap tea. Add honey, fresh mint, juice of fresh lemon or lime to taste.

REDUCE STRESS

Cut down on the stress in your life. This is easier said than done, but this is an important time to be clear about your priorities. If you feel very stressed and pressured and your blood pressure is on the rise, your body is sending you early warning signals to rearrange your schedule and increase your rest periods in order to protect the health of you and your growing baby. Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends to help with chores or child care. Even better, treat yourself to hired help. And be sure to rest on your side three times a day for 30-60 minutes.

Especially learn to master your reaction to outside stress and relax yourself from the inside, which relaxes your blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Reduce inner tension and increase feelings of centeredness and calm by focusing all your attention on your breath, simply watching all sensations as you inhale and exhale. Also try regular conscious slow deep breathing and a regular breathwork practice, meditation, and/or progressive muscle relaxation techniques (yoga nidra) for a few minutes several times per day, and certainly before coming to your prenatal appointment to have your blood pressure checked. There are many phone apps like Calm and Breathe to help you establish a regular practice.

Before rising in the morning and going to bed at night, while waiting, in transit, and whenever you feel triggered or stressed, practice the any of the following calming breathing exercises: 

3-Part Breathing 

1. Exhale slowly through your mouth with an audible sigh while consciously releasing any and all muscle tension.

2. Imaging a pump expanding your abdomen and lower back as you breathe down deep into your belly.

3. Allow ribs to expand with air, then inhale air into your upper chest towards your collarbone and shoulders 

4. Inhale in this way for a count of 4.

5. Hold for a count of 4 while staying relaxed.

6. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 4, releasing in the same order as the inhale, collapsing/returning to baseline, your abdomen, ribs, then upper chest. This is the ideal form of breathing, as opposed to rapid shallow breathing. With each exhale, let go and relax more. 

7. Repeat this cycle a total of 8 times or for at least a few minutes. 

Once you get the hang of it, play with various types of breathing. Try several minutes of inhaling and exhaling, each to a count of 3, 4, 5 or 6 without the hold, keeping it smooth and even. Then double the length of exhalation. For example, so if you inhale to a count of 3, then exhale to a count of 6.

Box Breathing

To try box breathing, inhale to a count of 3, hold for a count of 6, exhale for a count of 6, hold for a count of 3. Repeat for several minutes. You can also play with ratios, for example:

1. Exhale slowly through your mouth with an audible sigh, while relaxing all muscle tension.

2. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4.

3. Hold for a count of 7 .

4. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 8, releasing and letting go more each time.

5. Repeat this for a total of 8 cycles.

Forced Exhalation

Another great breathwork technique that disengages your conscious attention from thought and relaxes the nervous system is forced exhalation. To do this, after a normal breath try squeezing as much air out as possible using your intercostal muscles in your chest. Then, allow your breath to come in naturally and deeply, but automatically. Repeat the cycle for at least several minutes or as long as you would like. 

These breathwork techniques are simple to do, health enhancing, totally safe, and without side effects. They are all natural tranquilizers, especially if you do it often. If you need more personal guidance, schedule a session with me. 

Life is stressful and always has been, and eliminating all outside stress is not an option. But, you can learn to activate your own relaxation response and quiet your nervous system. Not only with breath awareness, breathwork and relaxation techniques, but also by making a conscious effort to be aware of anxiety-provoking, tension-causing thought patterns that are not serving you. Try to stop them or shift your attention to something more positive and ultimately change your mental state. You have the capability to change your attitude and reaction to your life experiences to more health enhancing responses. For example, you can surrender to and totally accept unpleasant events over which you have no power. You can view them as a wake-up call, an opportunity for personal growth and redirection. Try to focus as much of your attention as possible on the present moment, literally without letting your thoughts wander into the past or imagined future. 

For more information about this and other great ways to improve your physical and mental health and well being, read Natural Health, Natural Medicine by Dr. Andrew Weil,  Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and Prescriptions for Living by Bernie Siegel.

Avoid things and people that agitate your mind and raise your internal tension. Surround yourself as much as possible with calm centered people, things, sounds and places that inspire, relax and restore you to inner peace and safety. For many, this means being around nature or beautiful art and soothing music.

Make a conscious effort to work on increasing your own feelings of forgiveness, appreciation, love, joy, optimism, and healing, while letting go of anger, resentment, envy, fear, sadness, and negativity. Do not be afraid to seek counseling if you need help with this. 

Do more of what you love, and figure out how to make chores more fun (like doing them while dancing to music or with a friend).

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

Once you have been diagnosed as having pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), you will get lots of extra attention in the interest of monitoring how mild or serious your condition is and to protect the health of you and your baby. You will be asked to go to your provider’s office more frequently to check your blood pressure and the baby’s heartbeat, as well as to check for excess swelling, protein in the urine and labs that signal developing complications like preeclampsia.

Periodically take your blood pressure in your own home when you feel relaxed and secure. You can buy an easy to use digital blood pressure monitor. Sometimes, there is an artificial elevation in blood pressure in the office due to anxiety about being examined and having your blood pressure reading be too high.

Continue to use the preventative suggestions, but increase the amount of time you are resting on your side to as much as possible. Depending on your individual situation, you may need to maintain strict bed rest on your side all day – this means no housework or errands – but often this is not necessary. 

Increase the frequency and duration of your breathing and relaxation exercises. Visualize your blood vessels dilating for 5 minutes several times daily, while thinking that your blood pressure is now normal.

Watch comedy. Laughter is extremely healing, reducing internal stress reflected in lower blood pressure.

Be in tune with your baby’s movements. Make sure you count at least 10 moves in 1 hour during the times your baby is most active, which is usually after you eat and when resting.

Take biofeedback training to lower your blood pressure.

Take several warm baths daily with Epsom salts and a few sprinkled drops of the essential oil of Lavender.

TIME TO CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTATION

Reputable brands of the supplements and herbs I recommend include Innate Response, Wish Garden, Gaia, Herb Pharm, Wise Woman Herbals, Pure Encapsulations and Eclectic Institute, or any of those in my online holistic apothecary.

Again, if you aren’t already taking a natural prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement, now is the time to start. Also consider additional calcium and magnesium. Take 500 mg of each in the morning, afternoon and at bedtime. If you experience loose stools, you can experiment with skipping the magnesium dose in the morning. 

Eat more potassium-rich foods found in most fresh fruits and vegetables, for example starchy roots, potatoes, dark leafy greens, bananas, oranges and cream of tartar. And daily take 1000-2000 mg vitamin C up until 36 weeks gestation, then reduce to 500 mg. Also take 400 IU vitamin E and 2-3 mg methyl folate to boost your antioxidants.

Make sure to take at least 300-400 mg DHA/EPA Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil twice daily. You can take a vegetarian source, but they aren’t as ideal. However, some benefit can be derived from eating 2 Tbsp ground flax seed every day. You can add it to your cereal, salad, baked goods or yogurt. Alternatives are 1000 mg of flaxseed oil taken in capsule form or using 1 Tbsp of uncooked flax oil in your salad or other cold foods twice daily, 500 mg black currant or evening primrose oil each day. 

Eat a bulb of fresh garlic daily. You can make it delicious by roasting or sautéing the whole cloves in olive oil, salt, pepper and a dash of parsley. If you prefer raw garlic, eat 2-4 cloves twice daily crushed into your salad or cut and swallow as a pill with a spoon of honey and a glass of water or citrus juice, which minimizes garlic breath and stomach upset. Another option is to take New Chapter’s Garlicforce 2-8 capsules daily. Infuse your olive oil with garlic, by soaking all cloves from a bulb in 1 cup of olive oil for a few days for delicious and health enhancing meals, used on salads, veggies, beans, sprouted whole grain breads and pastas.

Eat more onions, parsley, fresh beet juice, cucumber and its juice, watermelon and turmeric. Renowned herbalist Susan Weed advises drinking a mixture of the juice of ½ lemon or lime with 2 tsps cream of tartar and ½ cup water once daily for three days. 

Prepare your own herbal infusion:

• Steep up to 1 large handful of dried nettle leaf and/or red raspberry leaf, and dandelion root  in a quart of boiling water for at least 4 hours. 

• Strain in a glass mason jar, and drink several times throughout the day. 

• You can add a splash of lemon or lime juice, fresh mint, or a dash of honey to taste. 

• Drink 2 cups daily.

Take 1-2 dropperfuls of tinctures of passionflower, skullcap, and lavender 1-3 times per day, especially if your increased blood pressure is due to stress and anxiety. Alternately, passionflower capsules can be taken as directed, 2 twice daily. 

Drink Hops tea before bed during the last few months of pregnancy.

If you are interested in more healing herbs specific to your situation, you can take Dandelion (a natural diuretic) and Hawthorn berry (a natural vasodilator). The herbs should ideally be supercritical or encapsulated freeze dried extracts. Take 1-2 capsules of each 2-4 times per day or 1 dropperful of each liquid tincture of Dandelion and Hawthorn Berry 2-3 times per day.  

Herbalist, midwife and physician Dr. Aviva Romm in The Natural Pregnancy Book recommends adding equal parts Cramp Bark, Black Cohosh, and Motherwort after the first trimester, as they relax the nerves and muscles, and dilate the peripheral blood vessels, thereby reducing high blood pressure. Take a dropperful of each tincture up to a few times daily as needed, depending on your blood pressure. But stop if you feel a pattern of preterm contractions (4 per hour or every ten minutes before 37 weeks). She also advises mixing together the following herbal tonic tinctures to support the liver and kidneys, especially to prevent worsening preeclampsia, and taking 1 tsp of the mixture 1-2 times daily: 

• 3 tsp each nettle leaf, schisandra, American ginseng, dandelion root, burdock root

• 1 ½ tsp each passionflower and linden 

For those with any sort of chronic high blood pressure in which serious causes have been ruled out and none of the natural and allopathic remedies help, consider reading the book The Mindbody Prescription By Dr John Sarno, MD. He is an amazing pioneering physician whose brilliant approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people without drugs, physical measure or surgery, and using breathwork, to release stress and past trauma energy while transforming health in a deeper way. Also check out Brandon Bays’ book The Journey, and her website for intensive workshops that are extremely effective mindbody cutting edge methods that have also lead to transformational healing for thousands of people around the world.

If you need more personal guidance, schedule a consultation with me.

Call your provider immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: sudden severe swelling of your feet, legs, hands or face, a severe headache or pain in your upper abdomen or uterus, spots in front of your eyes or blurry vision, dizziness or light-headedness, vaginal bleeding, a sense that your baby is moving less than usual, regular contractions, or your water breaks. 

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I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from over 27 years in my private practice and I’ve poured all of my love, passion, knowledge, and experience into creating something truly special for you… my new Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Guides. My transfer rate from home to hospital is 7% which means 93% of mamas are having beautiful natural homebirths, and I have not once had to transfer a mama for an epidural because she could not handle the sensations of normal labor. Not once. A huge part of that is how I help them prepare. I want that for you!

As they say, knowledge is power, and my Guides/courses can be a great way to understand the pregnancy, birth and postpartum process, clear up any confusion and trepidation, find your confidence, inner calm and strength, bust through fears and misconceptions, get expert guidance on everything you need to know, learn coping tools and mindset shifts to last a lifetime, as well as boost your health and well-being, and absolutely love your experience no matter how challenging.

Whether you’re an experienced or new parent, there are over 24 hours of videos, workbooks, and PDFs to answer all of your questions. Everything in my Guide is searchable; so you can just type or talk and it’ll bring you right to the exact moment in the video where I answer your question. Try it! Say "Labor Positions" and it'll bring you right to the moment I start talking about positions ideal for labor. It’ll blow your mind!

The key to a positive birth is feeling confident, strong, relaxed, and empowered during the entire process, regardless of the twists and turns it may take. I give my full heart and all I know in everything I do to support Moms like you!

have created THREE Guides with hours of searchable videos, workbooks and pdfs to lead you to the birth of your dreams! They are easy to use, mobile friendly, and transliterated and translated in Spanish, French, and any language you need! AND THAT IS HUGE! TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW, AND YOU HAVE LIFETIME ACCESS.

Pregnancy

Childbirth & Labor

Postpartum

These are an insider’s Guide to the joys and challenges of giving birth in modern times created by a seasoned holistic nurse midwife who has seen everything! Learn simple tricks of the trade to make the journey to motherhood more holistically healthy and fulfilling.
You will have direct access to me through the Guides and I can help you:

• Plan a pregnancy and discuss preconception and pregnancy holistic health

• Get the support and guidance you need to answer all of your questions to create a birth experience you love and treasure forever

• Understand holistic modalities on woman's health issues

• Get the support and tools you need for stress reduction

• Answer questions and make informed decisions

BUY NOW!

Give yourself this gift a lifetime to have the experience of your dreams, you will treasure forever.

Pain During Pregnancy: Pelvic Area, Groin, Legs and Back

Pain During Pregnancy: Pelvic Area, Groin, Legs and Back

Experiencing pain is humbling, and it can be a chance for personal growth. It can be an opportunity to practice techniques that will help with labor, birth and life beyond. Techniques like breathing, mindfulness, befriending and relaxing into intense sensations. Prevalent societal attitudes that include fear, numbing, medicating or escaping symptoms of discomfort as opposed to being with them, surrendering, welcoming, honoring them, listening to and finding meaning and beneficial purpose in their messages. Pain provides a chance to learn patience, acceptance of normal bodily changes associated with pregnancy, and how to prioritize, delegate, let go of activities of overwork or those that create increased stress, and allow others to help.

For pregnancy related aches and pains in the groin, back, or legs, it is recommended that you consult a reputable chiropractor or osteopath who can successfully relieve strained muscles and correct a spine or pelvis that is out of alignment. Other helpful professionals include a massage therapist (especially deep tissue, shiatsu, rolfing and Thai) who can do wonders to release tightened painful or aching muscles in spasm , a homeopath who can suggest a safe natural remedy to effectively treat your specific symptoms, or an acupuncturist skilled at directing needles on the trigger points. Therapeutic yoga can be helpful to reduce tension, increase strength and flexibility of responsible muscles,

Pain in the Groin

Sharp but short lived pain in the groin area that can sometimes travel down into the legs is either related to the stretching of the round ligaments that hold and support your growing uterus within your abdomen, or to the pressure of the uterus or baby on local nerves. This sort of pain usually occurs while walking or movement, and can be enough to stop you in your tracks.

For relief from round ligament pain, stop to rest, bend your knees onto your abdomen while lying down, or get on your hands and knees and rock your pelvis inward and outward. Take a very warm bath with Epsom Salts and a few drops of Lavender or Olbas herbal combination, followed by applying Tiger Balm then a hot or cold pack, or heating pad.

To minimize strain on these ligaments: 

• Take frequent breaks

• Use full body or pregnancy pillows under your uterus and between your legs when lying down on your side

• Roll on your side, transition through your hands and knees to use your arm, leg and core muscles when getting up from a supine position

• Apply gentle pressure to the area when laughing, coughing, or sneezing

• Consider wearing a maternity support garment -like Bellefit’s prenatal support wear.

• Practice your kegel (those you use to stop the flow of urine) or even more comprehensive and effective, yoga mula bandha or root lock exercises, daily to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles that help support your uterus. Get out your yoga mat and do a modified bridge pose, supporting your sacrum on a yoga block. In this position it is easy to practice your mula bandha, by placing another yoga block between your thighs. While inhaling, tilt your pelvis up toward your face as you slowly squeeze the block and draw your entire pelvic floor upward and inward, starting from its center. Hold as long as is comfortable, then release and return to resting your sacrum on the block as you exhale. Let the breathing be smooth, relaxed and deep as you do this. It takes practice but you will get it. Start with 25 twice per day, and work up to 50 twice per day. Once you get the hang of it, you can do it in many positions, anywhere, anytime. You will also notice other benefits like easier birthing, reduced tearing, less urinary incontinence, better sex, improved exercise performance and yoga practice, and if done on a deeper level, enhanced overall well-being. 

Back Pain

High backache in pregnancy is related to breast enlargement and heaviness, which may produce strain in compensating back muscles, especially if your breasts are not well supported. Wear a well-fitting, comfortable and supportive wire free maternity bra that lifts your breasts upward and inward. Do shoulder rolls and arm exercises that tighten and release your upper back muscles, and get a regular back massage.

Aches and pains in the lower back are related to several factors: 

• Pressure of your growing uterus or baby on the nerves

• Stretching of the ligaments that connect the sides of the enlarging uterus to the lower back

• Hormonal relaxation and increased mobility of your joints, especially in the pelvis

• The shift in the center of gravity from your expanding belly, which leads your pelvis to tilt forward and your back to arch, straining the back muscles

The problem is made worse by excessive weight gain, prolonged walking or standing, frequent bending or lifting with poor posture and improper body mechanics, ill fitting or high heeled shoes, and weak or separated abdominal muscles or weak back muscles. Wear Bellefit’s prenatal support wear, or try Baby Hugger for more extensive support. They provide wonderful relief of lower abdominal pressure and aching back from weak or stretched abdominal muscles after several pregnancies. It is also helpful for Diastasis Recti.

Diastasis Recti (belly muscle separation) can sometimes cause back pain. More significantly, it can impact pregnancies as lax abdominal muscles do a poor job of supporting the uterus. Sometimes this causes the baby to take on a suboptimal position. This is a normal physiologic separation that takes place during pregnancy for most women. The effort made to correct it postpartum is mostly cosmetic as there are rarely any major medical issues associated with mild separation, especially when the separation is less than 3 finger widths. You can certainly do yoga and can learn corrective exercises to strengthen these muscles as well as bring them together. 

Sciatica pain is caused by pressure of the enlarging uterus or baby on nerves that pass through the lower spine into the legs. This pain can travel from the back or thigh all the way down to the feet or toes. It can be severe and associated with other strange sensations like tingling or numbness.

REMEDIES

Watch your weight gain. Remember, under normal circumstances, you only need to gain 3-6 pounds during the first trimester and ½-1 pound per week thereafter, for a grand total of 25-35 pounds. The following strategies should be sufficient to maintain ideal weight throughout your pregnancy:

• Regular moderate exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, swimming or dancing) for at least 30 minutes 5 days per week.

• Practicing yoga postures modified for pregnancy, aimed specifically to help with your specific location of pain. Good examples are spinal twists, hamstring stretches and hip openers for sciatica; or down dog, forward bends, cat/cow, puppy, bridge, plank, triangle, sphinx, cobra, thread the needle and spinal twists to stretch and strengthen lower back. 

• A healthy diet high in fresh organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, tempeh, whole organic eggs, beef, chicken or turkey, wild Alaskan salmon, and whole fresh raw goat or sheep dairy.

• Reduced intake of sugar, white flour, refined vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated fat, refined processed and deep fried foods.

• Consumption of at least 64 ounces of filtered, spring or well water daily, between meals (at least 20-30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating).

Make sure you are eating enough calcium (found in whole dairy foods—ideally goat or sheep, sardines, wild caught salmon, ground sesame seeds/tahini, and dark green leafy vegetables excluding spinach) and magnesium (abundant in fresh green vegetables, apples, wheat germ, seeds, and nuts). You also need sufficient vitamin C, D, E , and B complex easily absorbed from a well-balanced whole food diet as well as natural prenatal supplements to provide needed nourishment not obtained by food alone. If you have inflammation, especially if your pain is more chronic, you may benefit from anti inflammatory diet and supplements adapted for pregnancy. Load up on the tumeric in your cooking!

BETTER BODY MECHANICS FOR PAIN REDUCTION

Know your pregnant body’s limits and pay attention to what your symptoms are telling you. Take frequent breaks or rest periods if you need to be on your feet for prolonged periods of time. Cut down on nonessential burdens in your life and be clear about your priorities. It is OK to say “no” or to leave the housework, pile of papers and long ‘to-do’ list for tomorrow, or better let most of it go, and/or delegate to someone else. Don’t be afraid to ask family or friends to help with chores or child care, or treat yourself to hired help and healthy take-out meals.

Avoid fatigue by making sure you are getting extra needed sleep by going to bed earlier, sleeping later, or taking naps. Rest on a firm supportive mattress or use a bed board, and sleep with pillows positioned to straighten your back and alleviate strain or pulling. Some women find the floor or a futon helpful. Use full body or pregnancy pillows for additional support.

Pay deliberate attention to your posture, especially when standing or walking, by lifting your abdomen up and in (bringing pelvic bone towards breast bone and using your muscles to corset your ribs inward), tucking your pelvis slightly up and in to minimize the arch in your lower back, and relaxing your shoulders down. Even when sitting, take care not to slump by using your abdominal muscles to lift up and keep your back straight. Sit on harder, more supportive chairs. Even better, ditch chairs and squat with your pelvis supported on a yoga block or your heels supported by a wedged yoga blanket. Use an ergonomic work station or standing desk, resting alternate feet on a foot stool while standing for extra relief on your back muscles. The foot stool will also come in handy during labor and life as a mom. 

Walk barefoot while home, and wear supportive, well-fitting comfortable flat or rocker bottom shoes when out. Save the high heels until after the baby.

Avoid heavy lifting. Spread out grocery store purchases into several bags and take more trips carrying a lighter load instead of a heavier one all at once. Better yet, ask for help.

Watch your body mechanics by using your stronger stomach, arm, and leg muscles not your weaker back to lift, pull, or push something. Instead of bending at the waist or lifting abruptly, bend at the knees with a broad base and lift carefully. Instead of reaching for an object, come closer to it. Turn and twist more slowly and with caution. If a particular action feels even a bit uncomfortable, STOP!

Take extra precautions during activities requiring balance and walking on wet, icy or slippery surfaces. Remember your sense of balance is changed, your gait is more awkward and you have an increased tendency to fall. Use a non-skid floor mat in the bath and shower.

If you can not tolerate your usual exercise routine, do regular but more gentle exercise. Take a prenatal dance class, gentle yoga, or a pregnancy exercise class. A good instructor can help you maintain proper posture, and learn how to strengthen your abdominal, back and extremity muscles. Swimming is another option, as it allows you to get great exercise without any weight on your back.

Put on a maternity support garment like Bellefit before you start each day, especially if you were out of shape before the pregnancy or have poor abdominal muscle tone after several children, if you are overweight, carrying a big baby or twins, or on your feet a lot. Many specialty stores stock lightweight maternity girdles with soft elastic fronts and an adjustable belt if you are looking for alternatives.

STRESS REDUCTION FOR PAIN REDUCTION

Emotions greatly influence nerve and muscle interaction. Try to put yourself in a more positive, joyful and calm state by reading uplifting books, watching movies and listening to podcasts that inspire or make you laugh, and spending time with those who bring out your finest moods.

Stress leads to increased muscle tension and pain. Although easier said than done, limit your stress and inner tension, and increase feelings of calm by taking a “healing interval” a few minutes several times each day. Sit quietly with your eyes closed and think and do absolutely nothing, meditate, practice breathwork or pray. Do regular yoga (especially Yin, prenatal, gentle and restorative), practice progressive muscle relaxation techniques (yoga nidra), QiGong, Tai Chi, or take a walk outside in nature. Read these recent blog posts on natural remedies for stress and ways to manage your emotions.

The following breathwork exercises are simple to do and can be done any time and place. For example, while traveling, waiting in line, resting, before rising in the morning and going to bed at night, in the bath, on the toilet, or whenever you feel stressed or triggered. 

When all is otherwise healthy and well, throughout all the exercises, practice embracing, relaxing into and even magnifying intense sensations without the mental story about them. Can you make friends with discomfort and pain, instead of trying to escape, numb or fight it? Is there something that they can teach you? Get curious about all of their details, including the borders or edges, and parts of you that feels good, or does not have unpleasant sensations. Yes there are remedies to help alleviate pain. But you will be amazed how effective this practice is, and how much it will help you to better cope with childbirth, as well as with the pain that is an inevitable part of being human. It is the suffering from the pain that is optional, so you can choose not to suffer.

Sit up straight but comfortably, with your eyes closed, internally keeping your gaze between your eyes, or open and focused on a nonmoving distant object or place. You can do this reclining, as long as you are not likely to fall asleep - the point is to be conscious throughout. While breathing be mindful, and just observe and release any muscle tension working your way slowly from head to toe. Practice Ujjai breathing. Breathe at the pace and depth that feels right for you, but by inhaling through your mouth or nose, directing the breath into the back of your throat which makes a sound like ocean waves (it is a calm, slow, and smooth circular version of gasping on inhale and fogging a mirror on exhale). This is meditation, combined with the benefits of breathwork.

Breath Awareness

Start with being more conscious about your breath, and simply focusing all of your attention on your breathing. Get curious about all the details of your sensations as you inhale and exhale, without trying to change anything. Notice what you are currently seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, tasting. Just watch without judgment. This brings you to the present and is deliciously relaxing. 

Deep Abdominal Breathing

1. Exhale slowly with an audible sigh, releasing all muscle tension, especially in your jaw and breathing diaphragm muscle. 

2. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4. Imagine a pump expanding your abdomen, and lower back, down to your pelvic floor, causing you to inhale. Allow ribs to expand with air, then inhale air into your upper chest towards your collarbone and shoulders.

3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 4. Release effortlessly, in the same order you inhaled, returning to baseline, your abdomen, ribs, then upper chest. With each exhalation, try to let go and relax even more.

4. Repeat this cycle a total of 8 times or at least a few minutes. You may need to play with counts, using a count of 3 or maybe even 5 or 6. But keep the counts of inhale the same as the counts of exhale.  

5. Then extend, or double the exhale. For example, if you are inhaling to a count or 3, exhale to a count of 6, or if you are inhaling to a count of 4, exhale to a count of 6. And repeat this cycle for several minutes.

Triangle Breathing

Inhale for a count of 3 or 4, exhale to the same count of 3 or 4, then pause for the same count of 3 or 4, while consciously and deeply relaxing your diaphragm muscle of respiration, as well as all other muscles.  Repeat for several cycles or a few minutes.

Box Breathing

Another great breathing technique that disengages your conscious attention from thought and relaxes the nervous system, and can be done any time, is box breathing. With this exercise, you add a timed pause between each inhalation and exhalation. 

1. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.  

2. Inhale deeply into your belly as above for a count of 3.

3. Hold without tension for a count of 6.

4. Exhale to a count of 6 while consciously relaxing more and more.

5. Hold again without tension for a count of 3. 

6. Repeat until your timer chimes. You may love this so much you will want to do it longer.

Breathing In Varied Ratios

Play with the ratios and counts of inhalation, exhalation and the pauses in between them. For example, exhale slowly through your mouth with an audible sigh. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7, then exhale through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat for a total of 8 cycles. 

Forced Exhalation Breathing

One more breathing exercise to try is forced exhalation: 

1. After a normal breath, try squeezing as much air out as possible using your intercostal muscles.

2. Next, allow the breath to come in naturally and deeply, but automatically. 

3. Repeat the cycle for several minutes or as long as you like.

See what feels best for you in each situation. Make these sorts of deep breathing and breath awareness practices, meditation and authentic yoga a regular part of your daily routine, even for 20-30 minutes. 

Practice abdominal breathing as much as possible so it becomes habitual. This is the ideal form of breathing, as opposed to rapid shallow breathing. Do this by imagining a pump expanding your abdomen and lower back, which causes you to inhale. The pump then releases effortlessly, which causes you to exhale. Then there is a natural pause until you need to inhale again. 

If you need video instruction, take my breathwork online course.

Don’t hesitate to schedule a session with me if you need more guidance with mastering breathwork and experiencing its transformative power.

Conscious Relaxation

Notice habits of increased muscle tension, especially around your upper back, shoulders, neck, forehead and jaw, and make an effort to release these tightened muscles while doing slow deep abdominal breathing. Ask someone to massage these areas or treat yourself to regular massage therapy.

It would be very beneficial to you if you could learn how to relax the muscles that are tensing up. It is an essential skill for labor and can be used in any stressful situation. Set aside a 10-15 minute time slot, like during one or two of your “healing intervals,” to focus on releasing all of your muscles:

1. Get into a comfortable position.

2. Breathe slowly and deeply while thinking about relaxing each muscle from your head down to your toes.

3. Visualize feeling heavy and limp like a rag doll, or like your napping dog or cat.

Life is stressful and always has been, and eliminating all outside stress is not an option. But you can learn to activate your own relaxation response and quiet your nervous system with breath work and awareness, meditation, imagery and visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, and self mastery over your thoughts and reactions to difficulties.

Minimize time online, especially addictive stressful apps, social media and computer games.Try to stay away from things, sounds and people that agitate your mind and raise your internal tension, and instead surround yourself as much as possible with calm centered people, things and sounds that inspire, relax and restore you to inner peace and serenity. Make a conscious effort to work on increasing your own feelings of forgiveness, appreciation, love, joy, optimism and healing, while letting go of anger, resentment, envy, fear, sadness and negativity.

Become conscious of anxiety provoking, tension causing thought patterns that are not serving you, and literally stop them. Shift your attention to something more positive like slow deep breathing, and ultimately change your inner mental state. You have the ability to alter your attitude and reaction to stressful life experiences with more health enhancing responses. For example, you can surrender to and totally accept unpleasant events over which you have no power, or you can view them as a wake-up call, an opportunity for personal growth and redirection. And you can always try to focus as much attention as possible on the present moment, literally without letting your thoughts wander into magnified past or imagined future.

For more information about this and other great ways to improve your physical and emotional well-being, read Natural Health, Natural Medicine by Dr. Andrew Weil, Practicing the Power Of  Now by Eckhart Tolle, Loving What Is by Byron Katie, and Prescriptions for Living by Dr. Bernie Siegel.

While it is not only helpful to express your troubling feelings to a sympathetic trained ear, it is  more effective to move these emotions through your body with Femme, Ecstatic Dance or Journey Dance and release them through conscious connected breathing type of breathwork. It is also critical to develop skills of self-mastery and empowerment.

HOME REMEDIES

Reputable brands of the supplements and remedies I recommend include Innate Response, Wish Garden, Gaia, Herb Pharm, Wise Woman Herbals, Pure Encapsulations and Eclectic Institute, or any of those in my online holistic apothecary.

When your back hurts, allow time to rest and get into a position that eases the pain. Some women find stretching or pelvic rocking helpful. Take slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth, and focus on releasing your tense muscles head to toe. Most often pain from muscle spasms heals with rest, excellent self care and time.

One of the most pleasant ways to relieve backache is a massage to the painful area, with arnica oil, mixed with a dropperful each of St John’s wort topical oil, cramp bark and lobelia tinctures. Massage the mixture lovingly into your deep muscle, ligament and joint aches and strains. Try any of the following and regularly use what works best for you: Essential oils of Ginger, Juniper, Cinnamon, Lavender, Marjoram, Chamomile, Lemon Balm/Melissa, Wintergreen, Spearmint or Rosemary can be diluted within it, alone or in combination. You can also apply Comfrey ointment, rubs of Tiger Balm, or Olbas herbal combination. Chinese herbal Zheng Gu Shui can also help, or any product that contains these soothing herbs. 

After the massage, apply locally a  hot or cold pack, heating pad, hot water bottle, herbal infused hot or cold pack, or try moist heat using a hot damp towel or packs from a hydrocollator (what the professional chiropractors, massage and physical therapists use). Take a hot shower or soak in a very warm Epsom Salts bath for ½ hour with a few drops of any of the above essential oils or add a wonderful Swiss Olbas herbal combination.

Some find that ice packs or cool compresses helps to relieve the pain, especially during the first 24 hours after an injury. For acute spasm and inflammation of your back muscles, apply an ice pack off and on for the first 12-24 hours. Once the pain begins to subside, apply moist heat. Complete rest in positions that feel best are essential for the first 1-2 days. Sometimes the only tolerable position is lying flat on your back on the floor with your buttocks up against a bed or chair and your legs raised at a right angle with your calves resting on the mattress or seat, or lying flat on your yoga mat in Legs Up The Wall, Viparita Karini. Props like yoga blankets, bolsters or blocks make postures more accessible, passive, comfortable and restorative. In this case, use them to support your lower back and head, and elevate your hips. Legs Up The Wall is done lying down flat on your back with your buttocks all the way to the wall, or elevated on a folded yoga blanket, bolster or block. Let your legs rest straight up the wall for 10-20 minutes. It is also a great opportunity for practicing quiet meditation, focusing on slow deep breathing and inner gazing between your eyebrows. A lavender infused eye pillow adds to the yummy relaxation effect.

Use a TENS unit, which relieves back pain of pregnancy, and can also help in labor.

Take a dropperful of Cramp Bark tincture every hour x 4, then 2-4 times per day for no more than a 1-2 weeks, and 1-2 dropperfuls each of St. John’s Wort and Skullcap tinctures 1-3 times daily for several weeks. You can also take Ginger to reduce inflammation and pain 500-1000 mg once or twice per day until you feel better. Place 4-5 pellets of homeopathic Arnica 30c under your tongue every hour while awake, every few hours the next day, then 3-4 times per day for a week. Discontinue topical BenGay or Tiger Balm, if it lessens the effect of your homeopathic remedy. 

Chamomile, Lavender or Lemon Balm tea are good options for relaxation and helping to soothe tension related pain.

It is currently considered medically OK to take an occasional dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol), or an occasional ibuprofen (Advil) in the first or second trimester only. But it really is less toxic to avoid these medications which are not as benign as we have been led to believe. Do avoid other drugs before consulting with your practitioner, since many are not safe for use during pregnancy (including aspirin, certain muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory medications). Instead, try a turmeric latte for its inflammatory benefits, and Curcumin (turmeric) is researched as being as effective as many common over the counter analgesics.

Avoid hot tubs and whirlpools because getting your body to such high temperatures without allowing you to sweat to cool your body down may not be safe for the baby. 

For SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction):

This can happen when the ligaments and joints connecting the bones of the pelvis become so lax that the pelvic bones go easily out of alignment. It can create very intense pain, especially in the pubic area, and a sense that the pelvic bones are breaking apart even though this is extremely rare and they are really not.  

Typical general advice usually given to women includes avoiding activities like strenuous exercise, prolonged standing, vacuum cleaning, stretching exercises and squatting. Women are also frequently advised to: 

• Have regular chiropractic or osteopathic care.

• Brace the pelvic floor muscles before performing any activity that might cause pain using your mula bandha (yoga root lock), and stabilize your pelvic bones with a support belt or belly band. You can also use a belly support garment called Baby Hugger, which uses straps and Velcro over the shoulders and under the belly to use the shoulders to assist in carrying the weight of the baby. This prevents the baby from resting entirely on the pelvis. I joke that the Baby Hugger is Industrial Grade Lingerie, especially when paired with thigh high compression stockings, but I can attest it is helpful for SP pain.

• Rest the pelvis.

• Sit down for tasks where possible.

• Avoid lifting and carrying. 

• Avoid stepping over things. 

• Bend the knees and keep the legs 'glued together' when turning in bed and getting in and out of bed. 

• Place a pillow between the legs when in bed or resting. 

• Avoid twisting movements of the body. 

• Avoid straddle movements especially when weight bearing. 

• When rolling over in bed, go belly DOWN, not UP. 

The sign I look for that means there is a true separation and not just inflammation and pain (tenderness to touch) is walking backwards is easier than walking forwards. 

If the pain is very severe, you may benefit from physical therapy. Using elbow crutches will help take the weight off the pelvis and assist with mobility. Alternatively, for more extreme cases a wheelchair may be considered advisable. 

It is usually recommended that women with SPD give birth in an upright position, with knees slightly apart, and it is often suggested that a woman tie a ribbon to both legs to ensure that the gap never exceeds her maximum comfort zone. 

Practices such as placing the feet on the provider’s hips during delivery, stirrups, and interventions such as forceps should be avoided in the delivery room if at all possible, as they can strain ligaments further and cause long term problems. If stirrups must be used, for example during suturing, great care must be taken to move the legs in symmetry, maneuvering them gently into position.

It doesn't always get worse with birth, so I have learned not to be fearful about it and to use hands/knees, side-lying with knees together or upright. Avoid squatting, lunging and pushing on one’s back.

For those with any sort of chronic musculoskeletal pain in which serious causes have been ruled out and none of the natural or allopathic remedies help, get to the root cause and avoid getting dependent on pharmaceuticals and surgery unless absolutely necessary. Consider reading the book The Mindbody Prescription By Dr John Sarno, MD. He is an amazing pioneering physician whose brilliant approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people without drugs, physical measure or surgery. 

To release stress and trauma energy often responsible for chronic issues, do conscious connected Clarity breathwork and experience miraculous healing and transformation. Also check out Brandon Bays’ book The Journey, and her website. These are all extremely effective mind-body cutting edge methods that have also lead to transformational healing for thousands of people around the world.

As always, if you need more guidance, schedule a consultation with me.

Remember that not all aches and pains can be blamed on pregnancy. Consult your practitioner if:

• The above suggestions do not help.

• The pain is different than usual, or is severe, persistent, or continuous.

• Pain is associated with other unusual symptoms like fever, chills, changes in bowel or bladder habits, vaginal bleeding or leaking of water-like fluid.

• You experience regular pelvic pressure, uterine hardening or cramping.

• You have a local area of increased pain, redness, swelling, and redness on your leg.

• Normal movement becomes difficult.

• You have a history of serious back problems, injury, or surgery.

Prenatal & Mindful Hatha Flow Yoga Class Series Online Course

$147.00

This course has 16 yoga classes plus bonus material:

• Seven ~ 60-80 minute Prenatal Yoga classes

• Seven ~ 60-80 minute Mindful Hatha Flow Yoga classes

• A soothing Gentle Slow Flow Yoga class

• A Restorative Yoga class for deep relaxation

• Bonus videos of an hour Live more advanced Vinyasa Class, shorter breaks of yoga anywhere anytime, use of props - like the wall, a chair, yoga blocks, yoga belts, yoga blankets and bolsters to enhance your practice, and practicing with your baby or pet.

The prenatal yoga 7 class series will invite you to grow, strengthen, focus, train and enhance your mind, body, heart and spirit. Discover for yourself the calming, healing and transformative power of yoga - intentional meditative movement with breath. Classes begin with meditation made simple using breathwork, gradual warm up, increasing difficulty as well as yoga play, gentle cool down, and end with restorative practices in deep relaxation. They are slow flowing, with space to explore specific poses but are meant to challenge you. Classes are different each session, with classical fundamental alignment based asana fused with modern postures and their many modifications and varied creative transitions. The classes are taught with modifications for pregnancy, incorporate positions for positively influencing baby’s position and active birthing as well as those to relieve common discomforts in pregnancy. They also are fused with meditative, breathwork and visualization techniques and tools for coping with and easing sensations of labor and birth, which will transform your childbirth experience with regular practice.

The seven classes are there for you to practice a different class each day of the week or according to your own frequency, then start over again from the beginning of the series. Each class ranges from on average 60 minutes to 80 minutes, and they build on each other; following the sequence from class 1 onward is advised if it is your first time taking the series or are a beginning practitioner. Classes are mindful, at a slow safe pace, gentle but challenging, so that you build strength, flexibility & agility. They start with the basics but are for all levels, and beginners too are welcome! If you are not pregnant, you can use the prenatal classes as beginner classes, just modify as needed and use any mention of pregnancy and labor as it pertains to any labor of your own life. The need to relax into intensity and the multiple benefits of yoga practice pertain to everyone. Or simply take the general Mindful Hatha Flow Yoga Class Series online course.

Once you hone your skills, you can take the Mindful Hatha Flow 7 Class Series that follows, doing your own modifications as needed - for pregnancy or wherever you are on your yoga journey, or simply start them after you are recovered postpartum. They also build on one another and can be practiced successively until you are ready to mix and match and create your own classes and practice schedule.

Additional videos are included to enhance your practice with use of the various props, as well as a soothing gentle slow flow class and a restorative yoga class for deep relaxation (great for evening!), shorter breaks of doing it anywhere and anytime, and a live bonus video of a more advanced class.

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Introduction to Clarity Breathwork Online Course

$47.00

Clarity Breathwork is the most empowering, transformative experience I’ve ever been through in my entire life.

Clarity Breathwork uses breath as a powerful medicine, which releases trapped trauma energy, psychic pain and stress that is stored in your body - without having to talk or think much about it.

It is a direct path to more energy and vitality, lasting inner calm and joy, better health and enhanced relationships.

What's Included:

• Welcome and Overview

• Breathing Exercises Companion Guide

• About Clarity Breathwork

• 15 x Breathing Exercises with step-by-step videos demonstrating each technique

• BONUS VIDEOS:

  • Introduction to Breathwork Positions

  • Breathwork Positions with Yoga Props.

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