The symptoms of pregnancy can quickly overshadow any excitement you might feel about the arrival of your little bundle of joy. Aches, pains, swelling, and nausea can make you feel like a mess! Although you might be able find over-the-counter treatments, you can also try of few of these more natural remedies to safely alleviate your preggo woes.
By Kelly Sundstrom, Parenting
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can really feel like a pain in the backside, but Harvard Medical School suggests that you can soothe this painful swelling by taking a sitz bath in warm water and applying witch hazel on the area using a cotton ball. As an astringent, witch hazel will help shrink inflammation and will reduce itching. Acupuncture has also been shown to alleviate hemorrhoid pain.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness ranks up there as one of the most bothersome pregnancy symptoms, but a couple of little changes may help alleviate your chronic nausea naturally. According to the NYU Langone Medical Center, you can safely treat morning sickness by increasing your intake of vitamin B6 and sipping ginger tea. Of course, check with your doctor before changing your vitamin intake.
Heartburn
Heartburn makes it really difficult to get a good night's rest when you're pregnant. Try following the advice of the University of Rochester Medical Center by keeping your head elevated at night; eating more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day; and avoiding foods that trigger heartburn, like mint, chocolate, and spicy and greasy foods.
Fatigue
If you feel totally wiped out, changing your drinking and exercise habits might just give you the natural energy boost you need. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, pregnant women can naturally increase energy levels by taking daily walks and making sure that they get enough water throughout the day. So, try carrying around a stainless steel water bottle to make sure that you are sufficiently hydrated.
Headaches
All of those excess hormones you have floating around in your body can cause you to have bothersome headaches, especially during your first trimester, when you may not want to take medications because they could affect your little one. Try one of the remedies suggested by the University of Rochester Medical Center, like applying a warm or cold head compress, increasing your intake of water, and steering clear of artificial food additives like MSG.
Stretch marks
Although your stretch marks may always stay with you as a beautiful reminder of your motherhood, you can help reduce the appearance of these "mama tattoos" by massaging your skin with a nourishing, natural oil or cream. Try applying coconut oil or cocoa butter on your skin and massaging it in using your fingertips for about five minutes each day. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy can also help reduce your risk of having excessive stretch marks all over your body.
