Many pregnancy discomforts can be relieved with good diet, hydration, gentle exercise, and rest. The recommended suggestions are a good starting point for improvement. If these suggestions don’t provide relief, then looking into additional therapies may be helpful. The herbs suggested are safe during pregnancy, although talk to your care provider for any additional questions or concerns.

CONSTIPATION

Progesterone slows down the digestive system to increase the uptake of nutrients from food. Check your iron supplement to ensure it is non-constipating and isn’t increasing the problem.

Recommended: Adequate fluids, prune juice, rest, warm liquids in the morning, eat more fibrous foods, avoid cheese, meat and fatty foods, general exercise, don’t ignore urges, sit on toilet and relax- don’t strain, squatting position on the toilet (can be done with step stools on each side, or practice on the floor until the urge to have a movement comes), probiotics.

Herbal: Dandelion and yellow dock root in blackstrap molasses syrup.

Additional therapies: Homeopathy, massage, suppositories