Both of these recipes appeal to my tastebuds as hearty restorative meals post pregnancy. After delivery and labor many women suffer from anemia and chronic fatigue which can lead to all sorts of other health complications. In Chinese medicine, chicken (especially when it is cooked for a long time in broths) helps to build the blood and restore energy. Salmon and seaweed are also extremely high sources of protein and minerals. Seaweed in particular is an excellent source of potassium, iron, and iodine which if deficient all…

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I have just bought myself a sitz bath… not a terribly attractive piece of equipment but something tells me it is going to bring untold pleasure after giving birth. There are various types of sitz baths, I bought mine at a local pharmacy which fits on a toilet seat and is filled with water. Anyway, the interesting thing here is not the sitz bath but the herbs and spices you can stick in the water which can have all sorts of remedial effects on your recovering vagina post delivery. One…

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I have always suffered from leg cramps and restless legs, particularly when driving as a passenger in a car. I remember one long painful trip in India when my legs seemed to be on fire driving up to the Himalayas in a jeep for 24 hours. It was absolute agony. Then during my first pregnancy I started to get restless legs that would keep me up half the night along along with night-arresting legs cramps (I would literally wake up with one leg in spasm and hop around the room…

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Nearing the very end of my pregnancy, I am feeling the need to talk about Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera Biennis). Look how pretty and delicate it is. The flowers open in the evening and close up during the day (I wonder if my labor will start at night, it’s obviously on my mind) and are strongly scented with a wonderful perfume. The oil is extracted from the seeds which contains 9-10% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that is used to relieve pain and inflammation. Some…

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Last night I went out late, yes I am 38 weeks pregnant, but it was a friend’s birthday and I thought what the hell, I feel good. I got home around 2AM and my daughter had just woken up so it took a few minutes to put her back to sleep. Then I decided I fancied a snack and since I am a bit of an insomniac at the moment I went downstairs to surf on the net (great for sending me to sleep) and have a slice of toast…

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I feel like I want to make a revision to this blog. I am not convinced following any diet during pregnancy is easy nor is it realistic to imagine only eating an additional 200 calories a day!! I mean that would equate to eating one extra yogurt and a piece of fruit (and that’s not a banana)!! Still, I think Dr. Gowri Motha makes some interesting points by exploring alternatives to conventional obstetric practice. With clients like Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow and Elle Macpherson, her program includes…

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You hear it all the time, eat lots of leafy greens. They are packed with just about every mineral, vitamin and antioxidant and I believe they keep your skin feeling fresh and full of oxygen. I try to think of them more as a medicine when I can’t be bothered, but I do believe they have a very positive impact on the body. Many varieties, especially the cruciferous (cabbage) family ie. kale, contain unique enzymes that protect against cancer and the more bitter they are, the more…

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I have to confess, I have not really suffered from constipation during either of my pregnancies, in fact, frequently I seem to suffer from the opposite, especially when I indulge in lots of leafy greens. Still, the BIG C is definitely a common complaint and it seems you have to try out a few options but rest assured something is going to work.

I took a look around and the usual advice seems to be focused around, yes you guessed it, leafy greens, drinking lots of water (6-8 glasses a…

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I really like to oil up after a shower. I know it doesn’t do much to prevent stretch marks (that seems to be a wholly genetic consideration) but pregnancy really does change a mother’s body (haven’t you noticed??). Sometimes it gets really itchy and hormonal changes loosen the connective tissues so the skin can become more elastic. If the skin remains dry it can be prone to tearing which can possibly lead to stretch marks. I figure my skin deserves as much love as it can get and I think…

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There seem to be a lot of very varied opinions and experiences around pain medication, specifically epidurals. I found this really interesting site that has all sorts of personal experiences from professionals and mothers who talk about their impressions. Take a look, it’s a fascinating read.

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