Q: hi, i am almost into my third trimester with my second daughter. i am looking for the belly balm you have, someone gave me a jar during my first child and i cannot find it even the health food store in town does not have it. can i purchase it directly from you? .... i also would be interested in any tinctures to help with the last bit of my pregnancy, i feel low on minerals and calcium(i know this is when the leg cramps can start). and anything to take to help with postpartum depression...anything i can start taking before. and also any thing for lactation. quite a list but i do like your products and information, one day i will make it to a workshop! thank you, n.
A: Hello N., thank you for writing. Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Susun does not make products to sell. She teaches us how to make our own creations. What belly balm are you speaking of? I hear you have a lot of concerns. Do you have or have access to Susun's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year? It will have many answers to your questions. I am away from my books right now so am not able to type anything out for you. Are you familiar with infusions? You can read about how to make infusions. Here are my recommendations from my own pregnancy, working with Susun's books and speaking with other pregnant women over the years...
I personally find the simpler the better. For a belly balm I used a good olive oil put on every time I bathed before I dried off. I did not get ANY stretchmarks on my belly. I DID get stretch marks on the areas I didn't think of :( - my thighs and under my breasts. So I encourage you to put it on there too. I also, every time I bathed, put this same oil on my perineum. I had NO tears, and my son was nearly 9 pounds.
My favorite infusions for a pregnant woman are Red Raspberry and Nettle leaf. We have a list of herbal suppliers in our links directory. Meantime you can purchase in small amounts at the local health food stores.
I hear your concern of low minerals. It is very understandable. Tinctures deliver mostly alkaloids. Minerals can be found in your nutritious easy to digest foods, herbal vinegars, and infusions. Anything that helps you improve your digestion too will help you make best use of the minerals you do ingest. Nettle leaf infusions are very mineral rich, so are Comfrey leaf infusions. Comfrey too will help healing any tears you may have through birth. Stocking up on minerals now will go a long way in helping ease the post-partum adjustments. Continue all that you do now that feels nourishing to you, even after the babe is born. The mineral rich additions will ALSO help benefit your milk production. Again the comfrey leaf infusions help.
Here are a few articles you may find helpful for now:
Herbs for Pregnancy - Talks about the two infusion herbs I first mentioned as well as calcium.
Parts one and two on breastfeeding concerns - Most of it is for use later, but starts out with info on increasing breast milk.
Minerals - Written for menopausal women, but just as applicable to you :)
And one on Nutrition
Depressed? Wise Woman Ways to offer a Helping Hand - Just in case, though I think both this being your second pregnancy and you adding nourishing mineral rich additions to your diet will go a long way to help you!
Please let me know if I can help further, explain anything in more depth or answer any more questions. If you are not able to get a hold of that book and would like me to look something up in it, I am very happy to :) I would love to hear how you are doing and how your pregnancy and birth go, if I don't hear from you sooner!
Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com
Hello N,
Baby blues and PPD are both emotional, chemical, and psychological. The nutrition and herbs that Karen suggested are quite a wonderful way to help support your mind and body. Additionally, take some action in the way you feel by writing in a journal or paining a pictures. creative outputs can have a significant effect on decreasing depressive symptoms.
Doing something physical every day, such as swimming (also good support for your womb at this time), prenatal/postpartum yoga, and walking help to lower depression.
Remember to ask for help with things such as household duties and baby care.
Continue *talking to people*, both in person and online- it's fantastic you're reaching out here!
Congratulations and best of all to you,
Jill Diana Chasse
maternal/perinatal wellness
www.magicofmotherhood.com
Posted by: babycounselor | July 05, 2006 at 07:31 AM
Wonderful suggestions Jill! Thank you :)
Karen Joy
Posted by: KarenJoy | July 17, 2006 at 05:37 AM