Before we get started I want to make it clear that I’m not a GP, physio or healthcare provider of any sort and any health conditions should be referred to a professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Plus every woman is different.
This blog simply collates some of the tips and recommendations that I’ve picked up over the years to help with non-serious pregnancy ailments.
- Heartburn – a handful of almonds (assuming you’re not allergic of course!) can be helpful due to their alkaline nature, as can elevating your sleeping position and drinking various herbal teas after dinner containing gut soothing ingredients like peppermint. Do check what other ingredients are in them though!
- As cramp is often thought to be caused by mineral deficiencies and typically felt more at night, relief has been found by many from:
- a banana before bed;
- a pinch of pink Himalayan salt in water before bed;
- a pregnancy approved magnesium spray like this one; or
- epsom salt baths
- To help constipation and haemorrhoids consider:
- increasing your hydration and fibre intake (things like prune juice, chia and flax seeds – ideally soaked overnight – can be helpful).
- increase your movement / exercise
- ensure that your knees are higher than your hips when you go for a poo. (a) because this is what nature intended and (b) because the extra pressure from straining is detrimental to a your core & pelvic floor. Check out the Squatty Potty® for more helpful info
- abdominal massage
- Carpal tunnel syndrome can be helped with massage / myofascial release and kinesiotaping (which I can help with) and splints and steroid injections (which obviously need administering by a healthcare professional).
- Back, hip & pelvic pain should never just be accepted as an inevitable part of pregnancy. Physio & massage can go a long way towards helping with both. And the Serola sacroiliac belt by far gets the best reviews from clients and physios alike for providing essential support and alignment to the pelvis. For more detail, check out this blog here.
- Unfortunately there is no cure for morning sickness (or the extreme fatigue that some women experience) and many women find that different things help. Ginger is regularly reported as being helpful (both in terms of food and aromatherapy) as is acupressure and do go and see your GP if things get too much.
If you have any useful nuggets to add to this, please do get in touch.