The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kellie (Frisco, Tx) on 10/18/2010
★★★★★
Found Earth Clinic a year ago and love this site!! Thank you!! Have had pregnancy diabetes for my past 2 preg. Now I've over 40 and preg with my 3rd. Started having problems again at the end of 1st trimester. Really watched what I ate... no refined carbs, no sweets, nothing but protein for breakfast or else sugars would go as high as 165 and I'd be dizzy/sick. Had to keep carbs below 60g a day and even then couldn't eat them all at once. In middle of 2nd trimester had to cut back even more. So I started Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with Dr. 's permission. (But what Dr wouldn't be OK with an amount equal to what most put on a salad?) (2 tea in 8oz of water 2x's a day... Empty stomach. )
After 1 week, tested it with a piece of whole wheat toast at breakfast with my usual eggs/cheese/bacon. Before it would have made me dizzy and I'd be up above 150 an hour after eating. It was only 140. WONDERFUL!!!! Now I'm only 6 weeks from my due date. I can eat a piece of pizza for dinner, or a hotdog for lunch with the bun! I even can have a bit of sugar in my ice tea or a few bites of apple pie. I can have a few bites of a chocolate bar too!!! None of this was possible before! My sugar's now are very stable. They never go above 140 an hour after a meal and 2hrs after they are down around 110. ACV seems to have a compounding effect. The longer I'm on it the more often I can eat carbs. I can now have a bit of pasta or a piece of pizza or wheat toast every day! I still can't eat more than 1/2 slice of wheat toast at breakfast, but that's OK. I can eat almost anything I want in moderation!! It's made life wonderful! As we all know preg women have lots of cravings. I can indulge in anything, just in moderation. This is great!!!! Another effect that is more subtle is the swelling. I gain a LOT of weight while pregnant (40lbs usually). But, I eat very healthy, and the weight goes on at 1 pound a week. But, that's still a lot of weight. After 2wks on ACV I noticed my body seemed less 'puffy' and I went 2 weeks without gaining any weight. It's hard to explain, but preg women should know what I mean. I have no swelling in my feet or arms unless I sit for hours. People who've seen me during my other preg's constantly comment how great I look during this one. My Dr. Is impressed each time I see him. Yes, it is work and I have to be really good and never miss a dose of ACV. I also keep very close watch on what I eat. But, it is so worth it!!! I know I can control my sugars without drugs!!! It is a wonderful empowering feeling!!! Thank you for this great site Earth Clinic!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gasping For Air (Budapest, Hungary) on 09/12/2009
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar for blocked sinuses: I am in my second trimester of pregnancy and suffering from a pretty bad cold. When I tried to go to bed, my sinuses were completely blocked, so I was lying on my back, breathing through my mouth, but feeling like I was suffocating from the post-nasal drip. I was desperate to find something to unblock my nose, but since I want to stay away from medications, I found this site. I decided to try drinking apple cider vinegar. I poured (generously) about 2 tablespoons into some hot water, mixed it with honey and struggled to get it down. Less than 10 minutes later, my left nostril is completely clear. Thanks so much for the advice. It was a godsend!
Black Cohosh for Labor and Delivery
Posted by Brigitte (Houston, Texas) on 01/11/2008
★★★★★
Labor and delivery-Black Kohosh: Only use this product a week and a half or at the earliest, two weeks before delivery if used before this time it can induce premature labor; but when used as described here, it helps to strenghten the uterine wall to facilitate an easier and less stressful labor and delivery. I suggest that an expecting mother take one herbal supplement with each meal. IE, one at breakfast, one at lunch and one at dinner. Continue this regiment until you finally deliver your baby. One added benefit to this herbal remedy resides in the fact that you will not experience the excrutiating pains similar to contractions that are felt when you are nursing the child post natal. You may feel minor discomfort but, thank God, it is nothing like the pain you will endure if you do nothing at all. I am speaking from experience when I tell you this works.
Progesterone for Nausea
Posted by Whisperingsage (Northern California) on 09/01/2015 45 posts
★★★★★
Some studies show nausea during pregnancy can be caused by low progesterone levels- progesterone is your important pregnancy hormone- You can get a progesterone cream over the counter at a health food store- do not accidentally pick up estriol- it is estrogen- when the baby is ready to come out estrogen levels rise quickly and contractions begin.
Magnesium deficiency also can cause nausea in pregnancy as can B6 deficiency- when you take one B, take the whole complex- B50 at Walmart even- should help. 400 mg of Magnesium also- if you can't keep mag down, take a warm bath in epsom salts- magnesium sulfate- it will absorb through the skin.
Pregnancy Sickness Remedies
Posted by Rae (Rochester, Mn) on 08/17/2013
★★★★★
Relief from pregnancy sickness: I've used ginger capsules in the past, but felt that they sometimes made me feel worse instead of better. I love the following green drink for pregnancy sickness and am getting relief for the first time. Too bad I didn't know about this three pregnancies ago!
- 1 c. any green leafy vegetable
- 1 c. water
- 1 inch of FRESH ginger (has to be fresh)
- 1/4 c. or so of FRESH parsley (has to be fresh)
- Juice of one or two limes (I use bottled lime juice as well if I don't have fresh limes on hand)
- 1 or 2 organic apples or 1/2 c. to 1 c. organic applesauce
I blend this in my Vitamix blender and store in 1/2 c. containers in the fridge. I drink some first thing in the morning and whenver I start to feel cruddy. I never leave the house without it. It has worked wonders for me. I hope it helps you!!!
Note: The recipe sounds gross, but it has a surprisingly fresh taste to it that I quickly became accustomed to.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kaylin (Hampton, IL) on 07/23/2009
Contrary to politically correct nutrition, not all bacteria is bad for you! People have been eating food with bacteria for thousands of years and stayed much healthier than most Americans. Read "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon. You need lots of good bacteria to balance the bad bacteria, and if you get the really good fermented, unpasteurized ACV with the floaties in it you are getting A LOT of great bacteria to colonize your gut and help you digest and boost your immune system. I drink unpasteurized milk and make kefir with it... it's loaded with good bacteria. You just have to make sure you get it from healthy cows kept by a clean farmer. And don't bother with dead ACV. What's the point?
Prenatal Hydronephrosis Remedies
Posted by mmsg (somewhere, europe) on 05/25/2022
E, dandylion tea is a wonderful diuretic, if that's what you need. But start slow: one cup a day, for example.
Iron Infusions
Posted by Michele (Pittston, Pa) on 07/13/2020
I searched your site n cannot find any info. Why are iron infusions becoming popular especially during pregnancies? N then it seems for some reason they need them again after the pregnancy? Could there be an underlying issues not be considered n the answer is just give infusions?? I do not trust the medical/big pharma industry B.S., am I wrong? Something is just not right with these iron infusions to me. Am I right to suspect.
Thank you in advance,
Michele M.
Gestational Diabetes
Posted by Anna (Köln, Gemany) on 09/13/2013
I developed Gestational Diabetes during my first pregnancy last year and controlled it with diet and exercise and gave birth a healthy baby via c-section. I am pregnant again and in 26th week of pregnancy failed my 1 hour sugar test with 50g glucose. My fasting sugar was 75 mg /dl and 1 hour reading was 160 mg/dl normal is less than 135mg/dl.Can anybody help me how to pass my 3 hours sugar test next week. I am also hypothyroid and take L thyroxin. Moreover I am taking vitamin D3 4000IE, Magnesium citrate daily and avoiding sugar and carbs and doing walk. Any suggestion to reverse GD will be appreciated.Thanks.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Christal (Austin, Tx) on 08/19/2011
★★★★★
@Shannabelle from Gilbert, Arizona, Hi there, I am currently seven months pregnant and Have been using Coconut oil since I was pregnant with my first child who is now 15 months old! I take a tablespoon a day and started doing so because I got a yeast infection during the first pregnancy and it cured it so I kept taking it, coconut oil is EXTREMELY beneficial for you, I give it to my son as well, not completely raw lol, but I make Creamy Buckwheat for breakfast and put a tablespoon of Coconut oil, make sure its organic and cold pressed and virgin, and I also add a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter and a tablespoon of ground or whole flaxseeds depending on what I have at the time, then I slice a banana and if I have other fruits like strawberries blueberries or bananas I add that! Its delicous and healthy and he loves it, I would drink Raw unpasteurized milk whenever possible as well! You can email me with any questions you might have about anything, I am going to study to become a naturopath.
My email is christaleddlema(at)yahoo.com
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sarah (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 01/19/2012
★★★★★
Coconut oil for EVERYTHING!!!! When I was pregnant with my daughter, I rubbed it on my stretch marks, I ate a tablespoon everyday during my last trimester and used it for my perianal massage during the weeks leading up to delivery and during delivery... Her head was out in one strong push and the rest of her body followed with the next push! After I used it on her dry skin and my cracked nipples! She is now two and loves eating it whenever I let her! I use it to deep condition my hair and in the bedroom as a natural lubrication! Just make sure to get organic unrefined coconut oil!
Pregnancy Tonic
Posted by Cyndi (Asheville, Nc, Usa) on 06/29/2011
★★★★★
Hi, I am 10 weeks pregnant and have been making a 'morning tonic' with molasses, organic apple cider vinegar and honey. I got the okay from my midwife who said that women have been giving birth for 1000s of years and have been taking ACV, molasses and honey for 1000s of years. It is safe. I feel like I have so much more energy making my morning tonic, too.
Here's my tonic:
In a cup of warm water I add:
1 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar (I use _____'s)
2 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp molasses
I don't know if this is helping, but so far I have had NO morning sickness, very little dizziness, and feel much more energetic througout the day.
I also make a tea of raspberry leaves, lemon balm and plantain leaf in the evening. The raspberry leaves are said to help inhibit morning sickness, and help your body to create a strong amniotic sac to carry the baby to term; it also has a lot of calcium - a critical need during pregnancy. The lemon balm is soothing. The plantain leaf contains lots of B vitamins and is considered "poor man's spinach" - haha, I pick it out of my yard!
Hope that helps!
Puppp
Posted by Dilraj And Vijay (Fort Mcmurray, Ab, Canada) on 04/19/2011
★★★★★
this is tried out on ourself! Discouvered it in desperate situation. During preganancy my wife developed rare condition called PUPPP. We tried all steroids no effect what so ever. There is no cure according to net nothing with Dr. either. We applied Turmeric in onion juice, the PUPPP was done in 10 min!
Thank you, Dilraj and Vijay
Fertility Remedies
Posted by Carol (Bridgetown, Barbados) on 07/11/2012
I am a 50 year old woman was having menstrual problems I take every thing that I read on earth clinic dont get me wrong they all slow down the bleeding, less blood clots but I will still bleed for 20 days or sometimes 24 days and then the bleeding will stop. And then I will have a very short cycle still something was missing to balance my hormone I read what u said about maca went to the health store bought some. In about 2 weeks it work for me I recommend Maca root powder for women who are having menstrual problems and fertility problems I take 2 capsules three times a day and now I am having a normal 7 days per I ran out of tab went and bought the powder what I read about maca I will not stop taking it. And I thank the Lord Jesus for the herbs he said in his words the herbs is for the healing of the nation. thank you earth clinic in everything give God thanks.
Schuessler Tissue Salts
Posted by Lissa (Whangarei, NZ) on 06/21/2009
★★★★★
I greatly reduced the pain of my labour when having my 4th baby by taking 'Mag Phos' which is one of the 'Schuessler Tissue Salts'. i took 4 every half hour according to instructions on container. after trying many other pain relief during my other 3 babies labour, this was by far the best remedy and least painful labour.
Cell Salt
Posted by Janine (Brisbane, Australia) on 12/26/2007
★★★★★
I had acid reflux during my first pregnancy and had some relief with over the counter alkalizers. This pregnancy I didn't want to alkalize my stomach acid so I can digest effectively - but I still needed some relief. My naturopath recommended nat phos, the cell salt (also called SP or sodium phosphate) which is working very well, at least as well as antacids without the worry of poor digestive side effects or aluminium additives. Be sure to chew the tablet, or dissolve it in warm water.
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C
Posted by Vica (Anaheim, CA) on 11/17/2008
★★★★★
I completely disagree with Kat. Please refer to the following link from the Vitamin C foundation:
http://www.vitamincfoundation.org/stone/Chapt26.htm
Scroll down to the "Pregnancy" section. It goes through all of the studies conducted on pregnant females including animal studies. It also provides the rationale behind the necessity of Vitamin C (especially during pregnancy). I have actually used the Vitamin C protocol in my last pregnancy (3 grams of Vitamin C per day 1st trimester, 6 grams 2nd trimester & 10 grams of Vitamin C in my last trimester). I can honestly say it was the easiest child birth I have had. (I should know since the last child was number 8 for my husband and I.) My baby is the most happy and mellow baby around. To this day I strive to take between 6-10 grams of Vitamin C a day. I highly recommend that everyone reads the information that can be found on
http://www.vitamincfoundation.org
One will truly be amazed at how many illnesses can be cured/treated with high doses of Vitamin C.
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C
Posted by Tiffany (Conway, Ar) on 01/08/2011
★★★★★
I am a RN in the Burn Center and our MD's prescribe 1000 mg Ascorbic Acid to all our patients (pregnant or otherwise) because it encourages cell regeneration. Cell walls require ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) to repair themselves, so it's a good thing to take extra while you're being required to make new cells - as in growing a new life or healing a wound. I'm 34 weeks pregnant now, and my midwife has encouraged me to take up to 1000 mg of Vitamin C every hour (if needed) for the duration of my pregnancy. It has helped prevent illness as well as grow a healthy baby. I haven't been sick this entire pregnancy and I deal with some REALLY nasty germs while at work.
Pickle Juice
Posted by Salima (Madison, Wisconsin) on 05/01/2007
★★★★★
I am 19 weeks pregnant and got sick a few days ago. I didn't want to take any medicines so I've been downing cough drops for the past three days which has done absolutely nothing! I logged on to find a home remedy, and of course being pregnant I have a jar of pickles in my fridge! After drinking in the hot pickles juice I already felt better!! Aparently, the heated vapors of vinger helped my congestion and soothed my sore throat instantly. My coughing subsided dramatically and my throat didn't hurt as much. Thanks!!!!
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Denisa (London) on 08/03/2016
★★★★★
For Hyperemesis Gravidarum (A severe type of nausea during pregnancy)
Use 30 drops of Grapefruit seed extract per day in 1/4 glass of water. Drink and followed by eating a cup of live yoghurt (add pink salt to taste).
Gestational Diabetes
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 09/13/2013
Dear Anna,
I will share what I have done in case it would be of help to you. I have never been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (I pass the glucose test at 28 weeks) but my midwife suspects that I may have it mildly anyway after I had two ten pound babies in a row, after having had babies that were around seven pounds. Well, I really didn't want to have to deliver another ten pound baby. Recovery is harder, I think. So, for my last pregnancy, I prayed and prayed that my baby would be a normal size. And I took cinnamon. Now, I believe cinnamon taken in theraputic quantities might not be recommended for breastfeeding. However, since I have never had trouble with preterm labor or too many contractions in pregnancy, I took it anyway. I took 2 capsules before breakfast and 2 before lunch for the whole third trimester. Cinnamon is known to help with blood sugar. I had my baby around his due date (normal for me. ) And he was seven pounds and 12 ounces. Praise the Lord.
I eat a pretty healthy diet and gain a normal amount of weight in pregnancy. If I get pregnant again, I do plan to do the cinnamon again.
I hope you pass your test!
~Mama to Many~
Gestational Diabetes
Posted by Zark (Emerald City) on 03/31/2016
This webpage gives info on why there is advice not to use cinnamon whilst pregnant:
Cinnamon While Pregnant
Medically it is known that developing fetuses do not have mature detox systems, making them vulnerable to everyday toxins in foods and medicine consumed by the mother. Some research into glycyrrhizin found in cinnamon has shown that it disturbs the placenta, exposing the fetus to toxins and stress hormones from the mother. High levels of hormones known as glucocorticoids can affect fetal brain development and has been associated with behavioral disorders in children, and can affect the levels of IQ in children. Another element coumarin in cinnamon is considered harmful at large doses and has been linked in some studies (though not concretely) in triggering uterine contractions and stimulate preterm labor.
Source: http://www.curejoy.com/content/cinnamon-safe-pregnancy/
General Feedback
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 07/27/2012
Hi Anne, It is advised not to use castor oil packs while pregnant. The reason being is it's a very powerful detoxifier. Just as one is advised not to do detoxing while pregnant, nor go on a weight loss program, the same holds for not using castor oil packs. It is always good to err on the side of caution during this time. Hope this helps, Lisa
General Feedback
Posted by Pgrace (Hamilton, N) on 02/05/2013
Castor oil acts on baby as well. It can cause your child to expel meconium while in the womb, which is an aspiration risk. I would find something safer to use during pregnancy and labour.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Crystalin (San Juan, Pr) on 10/02/2009
★★★★★
During my first pregnancy, I experienced indigestion during my last trimester, which I understood to be normal. I started experiencing it earlier in my second pregnancy with more severe symptoms, and then earlier again in my third pregnancy, with increasingly severe symptoms. Before my fourth pregnancy, my mother-in-law (the best witch doctor around!) told me about flax seed oil. I tried to take a tablespoon with each meal(3x a day). Even if I didn't take in 3 a day, I still took at least 1 tablespoon a day. I never had any indigestion symptoms, until I went on a weekend trip in my 7th month, and forgot to bring my flax seed oil. I ended up having to sleep sitting up in a rocking chair. My indigestion was so severe, I was having a hard time breathing. When I got back home, I immediately resumed taking the flax seed oil, and had no more problems with indigestion.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sarah (Columbus, Ohio) on 02/06/2008
★★★★★
I am 3 months pregnant and have been sufferring from terrible digestion issues (GERD, nausea, constipation, bloating, gas, etc). One of my friends told me to try apple cider vinegar to help alleviate some of my symptoms. I had my husband buy me a generic brand of ACV at the grocery store and I just started taking it yesterday. I believe that it is already making a difference in the way my gut feels; however, I just read one of the articles on this site that says distilled/pasturized ACV is "dead" and that you are losing most of the value if you are not using an organic, non-distilled version. My doctor does not want me to take anything that is not pasturized (for fear of any bacteria harming my baby). Does this mean it is pointless for me to use the grocery store brand of ACV? I haven't been using the ACV for long enough to know if it is truly effective at alleviating my problems or if all the "feeling better" stuff is just in my head. If anyone can confirm whether regular store bought (pasturized) ACV is still useful, I would greatly appreciate your comments.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tina (Warren, MI) on 07/22/2009
I am now just into my 8th month of pregnancy and have been eating raw cheese, raw butter, and drinking raw milk my whole pregnancy. My baby is strong and healthy. I have read that the chances are rare that you can harm the baby by having raw unpasterized products. Since I have started eating this way I have had a better pregnancy then my others.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kristy (Qld) on 08/18/2015
Non pasturised ACV is safe to take because the acidity kills the bacteria. The ACV needs to have the mother in it or it will not be of any benefit.
