Childbearing Year

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Call our free herbal/health hot line on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions 1-646-929-2463. Visit the link for more info: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

August 11, 2011 in Childbirth, Miscarriage, Pregnancy - General, Uterine Health, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2011

Ginger Use in Pregnancy

I'm 39, had a miscarriage last year, pregnant again with low progesterone levels.. Is it safe to eat Ginger candies 2 times a day for morning sickness??

Thank you..

Hello,

Like most herbs, there are different opinions in regards to using ginger. Susun does use it for morning sickness but if you have a history of miscarriage, you may wish to avoid it during the first trimester. I would say that it is used sparingly most often and a couple of candies a day would seem quite low dosage. Susun suggests drinking ginger root tea by tablespoon dosages - so it is not something that you would want to drink a lot of. If you feel worried, you could try red raspberry leaf infusions. Not only does Susun use them for helping with morning sickness but as an ally in preventing miscarriage as it helps tone the uterus.

Here is an article of Susun's that you may find useful: http://childbearing-year.com/articles-Herbal_Allies_for_Pregnancy_Problems.php. There is also a number of articles and excerpts from Susun's book, The Childbearing Year. Would definitely be worth your time to peruse some of what is offered there as well. Just let us know if you need any further assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

July 10, 2011 in herbal safety, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Diet and Nourishment | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 15, 2011

Inducing Miscarriage or Menstruation

Hi,

I am a 50 year old woman whose menstrual cycle is either really late or I'm pregnant (which I doubt, but it is possible). I started taking 1 tsp of blue cohosh and 1 tsp of black cohosh every 4 hours.

Is there a time frame in which I can expect something to start happening? Can I do anything else?

Thanks!

Hello,

The combination of blue cohosh and black cohosh is often quite effective in ending unwanted pregnancies, so that sounds like a fine approach. Time frames can vary as everyone's body is different and there is certainly no guarantee that the herbs will actually work. Most women seem to feel something going on within a day but it is a process that usually takes a bit of time.

Please be very careful, listen to your body carefully as these are powerful herbs. Some guidelines from Susun:

"Blue and Black Cohosh should be taken as a tincture, in a cup of warm water. At a dosage of 20 drops of each tincture every 4 hours/5 days. Can be toxic, in excess and can easily over tax the liver and kidneys. Continue for 1 full day after bleeding starts, to insure complete expulsion of all fetal material."

Make sure that you have something like shepard's purse tincture on hand to help control bleeding if need be. It is always best, if possible, not to go through this alone. I am including a link to a website that goes further into herbal abortions and also has a number of stories from women who have used these herbs before. This can help give you more indications of what you can expect. http://www.sisterzeus.com/

Afterwards it is always best to take extra special care of yourself, eating excellent foods, nourishing herbal infusions, and rest as much as possible. Let us know if you need any further assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

March 15, 2011 in Abortion, herbal safety, Menstruation, Miscarriage, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 27, 2011

Natural Completion of Miscarriage

Hello,

... My daughter is going through a miscarriage at about 8-10 weeks into her pregnancy. She has a sonagram and was told that she had a "bad embryo." She is concerned because it seems like the miscarriage process has stopped and her hCG tests are still strong. Her midwife is talking about a possible D&C. She wants to have a natural miscarriage. Is there any information in any of your Susun's books that we can research?

Thanks so much. I appreciate your time to guide us to some information.

Our experience is that the body in nearly all cases is able to handle the situation without intervention, sometimes that takes longer than the medical system thinks it should take. Your daughter, if she is in tune with her body, will know when and if it is time for her to ask for help. It is quite normal for the body to rest, pause, and or take its own sweet time. if she is not in physical danger, then the midwife should be supporting her decision, most likely just covering the options and possible scenarios.

One in four pregnancies result in natural early termination, it is completely normal, and no indication of any problems at all, just the body’s way of making sure the baby will come out perfect, just like we expect. It can feel traumatic to lose a baby at any time during a pregnancy, but we can take comfort in knowing that the body is completely and totally on our side, and when we trust this process we can feel the grief and move on.

There are certainly herbs to help move the process along in Susun’s book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, keep in mind the herbs are very strong and should be used with caution and respect.

Let me know if we can help further,

Love,

Justine

February 27, 2011 in Miscarriage, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 24, 2010

Herbal Allies for Completion of Miscarriage

Hi,

My sister just told me about your books and website, and I just spent a few minutes browsing. I was wondering if you could help me out.

I had a miscarriage about 3 weeks ago, but haven't passed any tissue yet, and am getting a bit anxious. My medical doctor wants me to get a D&C within the week, if nothing happens, ....I would prefer not to have the procedure done if possible.

Someone told me that there are natural methods that can help me, but my medical doctor is nervous about the risk of hemorrhage, so has advised me against it. If I would know that there are herbs that are safe for me to use, I might choose to take them. Can you advise me about that? I really want all this to be over already.

Awaiting your response,

Hello,

The completion of a miscarriage usually resolves on its own and the timeframe that you have so far experienced is not excessive. As long as you are not running a fever, or showing signs of an infection, it is so much healthier if your body can handle this process on its own. Herbs such as black and blue cohosh are used traditionally to complete miscarriages but it is still very important to have an experienced herbalist with you and also either shepherd's purse or witch hazel tincture to control bleeding. Any herb that is strong enough to do this type of work is very powerful and needs to be respected. You can find a great deal of information here as well: http://www.sisterzeus.com/

And, of course, whether you end up with a naturally completed miscarriage or opt for herbs or a D&C, taking care of yourself after the fact is so important. If you are not, drink plenty of infusions, especially nettles and red raspberry leaf. Eat foods such as dandelion greens and/or take yellow dock root tincture to help with iron levels. As you know, a miscarriage is physically, emotionally and mentally stressful. Do what you can to nurture and take care of yourself. Please let us know how you are doing and if you need any further assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

Good Morning Kim,

...I miscarried about a week ago, Thank God, and am still feeling a bit weak, but getting better every day. I'm still drinking the raspberry tea, and will try to get to the health food store today or tommorrow. Do you have any suggestions for anything that may help me deal with mood swings? I've been feeling very moody over the last several days and am guessing its because of the change in hormone levels.

Thanks and have a great day,

Hello,

...So glad to hear that everything ended as it needed to without medical intervention. First off, after any kind of miscarriage, you do need to give special attention to yourself. Keep up with the raspberry leaf infusions and make sure that you add oatstraw infusions, if not already. Oatstraw provides a mineral rich brew to help level things out for your body and also to soothe your nerves. Since what we eat can acerbate our situation, I would make sure to avoid too much sugar, completely avoiding white sugar and reducing any use of honey and maple syrup, just for the time being. Concentrate on high protein snacks instead.

Probably my first choice to deal directly with mood swings would be motherwort tincture. If you start to feel your mood begin to shift, take 5-10 drops in a small cup of water, and use as needed - even up to 3-4 times an hour, until you feel emotionally balanced again.

From Susun: "Allow fifteen minutes for the full effect to come on; repeat if necessary, as frequently as every two hours during times of particular upset. Motherwort tincture works best when combined with a short break from the day's routine to stretch, breathe, relax, and return to center. CAUTION: Limit use of Motherwort if you begin to feel that you can't get through the day without it, as this calming herb may be psychologically habit forming."

I would also incorporate nettle infusions, not only are they very mineral rich to help with overall health, they support the adrenals. This will help not only with your energy levels but also with the moods as overstressed adrenals help give rise to depression and mood swings.

Burdock, Blessed Thistle, and Sarsaparilla are bitter tonics. Occasional use helps keep your emotions on an even keel and makes a nice change from your daily Nettle or Raspberry leaf brew.

If you are feeling tired and/or weak, you may be dealing with reduced iron levels right now as well. Tincture of Yellow Dock is wonderful for building iron back up as does dandelion. You can eat the greens or use dandelion root tincture.

One of the best hormonal balancers for women is vitex. Here is an article that goes more in depth: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Vitex_RedMoonHerbs.htm

As women, we usually spend most of our days running around and taking care of everyone else first. This is a time where you really have to stop and honor what your body has had to deal with - whether through rituals, meditations, etc. and hopefully having a good support system in place. Just let us know if you need anything else.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 24, 2010 in Miscarriage, nourishing herbal infusions, Weblogs | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 14, 2010

Herbal Allies for Miscarriage

Hi,

My sister just told me about your books and website, and I just spent a few minutes browsing. I was wondering if you could help me out.

I had a miscarriage about 3 weeks ago, but haven't passed any tissue yet, and am getting a bit anxious. My medical doctor wants me to get a D&C within the week, if nothing happens, but I currently don't have insurance; am Medicaid pending, and would prefer not to have the procedure done if possible.

Awaiting your response,

Hello,

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team