Stand Tall, Shine Bright

I am typically overcautious when it comes to medicine, even when I’m not pregnant or nursing. So when it comes to things that could come into contact with or impact my babies I might get a little crazy. From the bread we eat to the makeup I use, have spent a lot of time researching things that I can be comfortable using around my children. So I wanted to share with you the options I’ve decided to give myself for treating ailments, emotions, my skin, etc. as naturally as possible during pregnancy, labor and postpartum.

Let’s start with what I’ve used during pregnancy:

1. For vitamins I have chosen to use folate during the first trimester then switch to Vitamin Code’s RAW Prenatal for the duration while also taking their DHA during the second trimester. These are the only pills I take during pregnancy. With my second, I gave in and allowed myself to take a Tylenol occasionally. Yes, I’m that stubborn.

2. Back pain. I had terrible back pain and labor with Avera and I wish so badly I had discovered this magic then. Nonetheless, I am so so grateful I found it this time around. Young Living’s VALOR Essential Oil blend has made knots disappear in minutes and aches ease sometimes before they start. I use it in the diffuser as well as diluting it with a carrier oil and direct application with a roller ball. This oil blend has proven to be beneficial for physical and emotional uses!

But wait, it doesn’t stop there…

3. I also struggled much more emotionally this pregnancy. From anxiety to depression to guilt, I can say these symptoms became extreme at one point or another during my pregnancy with Abraham. Again, I turned to oils. Valor was a huge help diffusing and applying on my wrists. I also began diffusing oils. Before bed I diffused Stress Away. During the day I use a combination of Sacred Mountain + Valor + Orange.

• Sacred Mountain for grounding and emotional balance.
• Valor for strength.
• Orange for positivity and encouragement of happiness.

I’m a firm believer that if it won’t hurt then I should try it. Whether it’s the placebo effect or it really worked, I have felt better.

For my skin I make my own Belly Butter. One batch goes a long way:

• 1/2 cup of cocoa butter
• 2 tablespoons of beeswax
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of shea butter

— combine above stovetop in sauce pan on low heat while stirring continuously until full melted then remove from heat and add the following:

• 1/4 cup of almond oil
• 2 tablespoons of Vitamin E oil

**optional YL essential oils: lavender, gentle baby, frankincense — 10 drops total.

— pour combined mixture into glass containers and allow to cool at room temperature until a solid-ish, creamy texture is reached.

**feel free to play around with these ingredients and amounts to get your preferred result

4. I also use Lush’s Buffy bar to exfoliate my growing belly, boobs, and ham hocks! I absolute love these!!

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Next, my labor plan:

As you can imagine I won’t take any medicine. This doesn’t mean I’m a crazy person and refuse medical treatment if myself or the baby is in any danger. No, I want a birth in a hospital or a birthing center that is sufficiently equipped with the means to provide medical intervention in the event that it is needed. However, if it’s not needed, I don’t want it.

That being said, I plan to do the following:

1. Diffuse + apply Valor

2. Apply Clary Sage to help with contractions and to encourage the passing of the placenta. — I had problems birthing the placenta after Avera’s birth and hope this will help prevent the same issues from occurring.

3. Keep a crockpot on “keep warm” with water + lavender to apply with a cloth on my back and belly during labor. I might add clary sage to this towards the end.

4. I also began drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea as it is thought to strengthen the uterus preparing it for a more efficient and possibly quicker labor. I did not drink this until postpartum with Avera and after my 24 hour labor, it’s worth trying.

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Postpartum:

Postpartum brings on all different ailments and issues.

1. I will apply Clary Sage to my stomach to encourage contractions and reduction of the uterus.

 2. I will use direct application of Tea Tree Essential Oil in the case of hemorrhoids.

3. I will use this Postpartum Spray directly on my bottom parts for ease of pain and quicker healing of tearing and hemorrhoids. Truth: this was a miracle worker!! Apply as frequently as desired.

Recipe:

• 6 tablespoons witch hazel
• 3 tablespoons aloe vera
• 6 drops of YL frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops of YL clary sage essential oil
• 3 drops of YL geranium essential oil (optional)
• 4 tablespoons filtered water

— fill glass spray bottle

— I use these small spray bottles so I adjust the amounts while keeping the ratios consistent

👆🏼 you can keep the spray in the fridge for a cooling spray

4. Buffy bar from Lush + Belly Butter + Geranium and/or Frankincense all on my belly to encourage my skin to regain it’s elasticity and pre-belly size.

5. Placenta pills. Yes, you’re reading that right. Again, if it can’t hurt me but could help me I’m going to try it! There is research that shows ingesting the placenta can prevent or help with postpartum depression. I did this with Avera and as crazy as it sounds when I was having an emotional day if I took a pill I felt better. Taking them in pill form allows me to have the mentality that it’s no different than taking prenatals. They even look the same!

6. I even get paranoid about my milk supply so I avoid any contact with peppermint oil and I keep a fennel blend on hand as well as red raspberry leaf tea, brewer’s yeast and Oat Mama bars!

That about wraps up all of my pregnancy related home remedies! I will add to this post if I think of more, but for the most part this is my crazy 😜 If you are interested in any of the mentioned products please message me and I can help you get your hands on them!!

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