Anxiety in pregnany

BeautyBirth · 07-21-2007, 11:39 AM

What natural methods would you suggest using?

helpinghands · 07-21-2007, 02:19 PM

I am not recomending or prescribing anything to anyone else but I use tinctures of valerian root or passionflower for my own anxiety in pregnancy when it is severe. Of course, there are other things you can do like relaxation, etc. but this is the herbs and homeopathic forum so I am just posting what is pertinent.

BeautyBirth · 07-21-2007, 02:37 PM

That's what i was looking for

helpinghands · 07-21-2007, 06:10 PM

And let me further add.. I find them very VERY effective. Initially, I wasn't convinced that something "herbal" and easily obtained would be effective enough for me.. I was pleasantly suprised.

My husband is a big fan of asking me to "take my tincture" when I get a lil squirrelly.

MothertheMother · 07-21-2007, 08:22 PM

do you make your own tincture or do you buy it?

BeautyBirth · 07-21-2007, 09:51 PM

yes i'm curious.

Jilian · 07-21-2007, 10:00 PM

Calms forte by Hylands is a homeopathic remedy for anxiety and insomnia and it works pretty well. Before I was preg I used kava kava with great success. There is lots of conflicting info out there about taking valerian and/or skullcap while preg so I'm not sure if either is safe.

helpinghands · 07-21-2007, 11:23 PM

I buy my tincture. (I don't use a high enough volume of tinctures in general to warrent me making it). I don't use a lot of it..I think in pregnancy especially..moderation is best, although I personally have not read any negative things about valerian or passionflower from the research I have done, I wouldn't over use it. IMO, judicial use of herbs (for me) outweighs the negativity anxiety could cause. ( I have not used anything this pregnancy, but I did while nursing, and I would use these herbs during this pregnancy if I needed to). I would be interested in any other research anyone else has come across though.

raeben · 08-13-2007, 01:39 PM

i start out giving motherwort or skullcap tea for soothing nerves (a handfull of the dried herb in a quart mason jar, filled to the top with boiling water, steeped for 20 minutes to 4 hours, strain and drink). if that isn't enough or they just don't bother making the tea, motherwort tincture is great for non-drowsy calm and skullcap tincture (but not so much the tea) is great for deep refreshing sleep.

susan weed, in her book "wise woman herbal for the childbearing year" has other great recommendations as well. i love this slim volume and refer to it often.

also, there are several pressure points that can help with anxiety. the main one that i know is on the bottom of the ball of the foot where the bones of the big toe and second toe come together, kind of where the callus of the foot ends. i have heard that the corresponding point on top of the foot is good for encouraging nursing let-down. so you can just pinch the top and bottom points between the thumb and finger while you are relaxing.

Raven · 08-13-2007, 06:14 PM

Sorry to keep going on about them but I would suggest Bach Flower remedies. They can be taken with anything and you can't overdose or give the wrong one. If it's not the right Remedy it simply has no effect.

To find the right Remedy/ Remedies you would need to drill down to find out exactly what is meant by anxiety. For example - is it about fear?; can the fear(s) be named or not; is about all the change surrounding a new baby: is it about the responsibility of being a parent? You need Mum to be as specific as she can.

Depending on what Mum says different Remedies would be offered, up to a max of 5-6 at a time.

In worse case scenario where Mum is getting panicked, Rescue Remedy does just what it says on the label and rescues Mum and restores calm.

There may be a qualified Bach Practitioner near you. The Bach Centre website lists qualified practitioners all over the world.

www.bachcentre.com

HTH,

Kath

sacredma · 08-13-2007, 09:55 PM

i love calms forte, it works great for me when i am anxious. also helps when i am having trouble falling asleep

birthsister · 08-29-2007, 04:16 PM

lavender and chamomile can be good for helping allay anxiety. jasmine is good for courage, so if fear is at the root of her anxiety, a combination of lavender and jasmine EOs could be helpful in a bath.

Firefly · 08-30-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven

Sorry to keep going on about them but I would suggest Bach Flower remedies. They can be taken with anything and you can't overdose or give the wrong one. If it's not the right Remedy it simply has no effect.
In worse case scenario where Mum is getting panicked, Rescue Remedy does just what it says on the label and rescues Mum and restores calm.

I'll have to second that suggestion! Rescue Remedy is wonderful stuff! Pregnant or not for simply calming! It even works wonders on little ones - for babies you can just rub it on their heels and mid-tanturm when the mouth of an angry toddler is screaming a small squirt goes a looooooooong way.

mothermedoula · 10-18-2007, 09:20 PM

www.wishgardenherbs.com is a great place to buy herbal remedies

b'earth angel · 10-18-2007, 11:39 PM

My first pregnancy I had a lot of anxiety over medical issues. I used chamomile extract. It is thicker than a tincture, contains glyceren I think. I just took one dropper full whenever I was 'stressing' and it calmed me right down. I'm not particualrly found of chamomile tea so that's why I opted for a more concentrated dose. Chamomillia homeopathic would also work.
I respond well to foot massage and scalp massage or just plain stroking my hair. I would also suggest this if someone is there to assist her. That way if she is concerned about taking anything while pregnant, she's not! easy peasy.
HTH.