Highly Effective Natural Pain Relievers For Pregnancy

by **Nanneerose** Tue Feb 23, 2016 2:47 pm

A troubling note: Most women are not aware that these medications used to treat acute pain—codeine, oxycodone, or morphine—increase the risk of birth defects in a baby's brain, spine, and heart. These painkillers can also cause newborns to suffer from withdrawal symptoms and lead to preterm birth. (Even over-the-counter painkillers aren't always safe options either.)

"This highlights the importance of promoting safer alternative treatments, when available for women of reproductive age. We must do what we can to protect babies from exposure to opioids." says Coleen A. Boyle, PhD, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

A baby is born with a birth defect every four and a half minutes in the U.S. and one out of every five deaths in a child's first year of life is caused by a birth defect.

In addition to using natural pain relief techniques normally, it's especially important for already expecting mothers to deal with pain safely. Here are some great tips from Lori Bregman's The Mindful Mom-to-Be.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This can be a real pain for many pregnant women at one point or another during pregnancy. Bregman suggests putting ice on your wrists for 10 minutes and then soaking in hot water with Epsom salts for 10 minutes. Keep alternating. You can also buy wrist splints from most pharmacies, which will be key for nighttime. Sleep with them on while keeping your hands slightly elevated on a pillow.

Varicose Veins
While generally not painful, varicose veins could cause discomfort. Some things to try: exercise, which will get your blood and circulation moving, a leg massage using upward strokes, and leg elevation. Aim to prop your legs up for 10 minutes or more on a stack of pillows every day. Another soothing way to stimulate circulation is by applying a cool compress soaked in witch hazel with a few drops of rosemary oil.

Hemorrhoids
Most common during the third trimester of pregnancy, hemorroids develop from the pressure of your growing uterus and increased blood flow. Chilled witch hazel pads with vitamin E oil will help to heal the swelling and inflammation when applied externally. Bregman also suggests a "donut" pillow whenever you sit down to help alleviate some of the pressure off your hemorrhoids. Another tip is to eat fruits, veggies, and grains that are high in fiber. This will help to avoid constipation—drinking plenty of water will also help with this.

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/highly-effective-natural-pain-relievers-for-pregnancy?cid=OB-_-ROL-_-AF

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