Postconception Alternative Treatments

 
Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic healing science that centers on preventative therapies for preserving health. The Ayurvedic concepts focus on the idea that when one is healthy, one is in a state of balance and disease results from a position of imbalance. There are three main physiological forces known as doshas in Ayurveda that are a combination of five elements; air, water, fire, space and earth. Vata doshas are a combination of air and space, pitta doshas are a combination of fire and water and kapha doshas combine both water and earth.

Practioners of this art of healing state that we are combinations of these three doshas and that contributes to our metabolic type. Therapies such as meditation, detoxification, breathing, dietary and herbal advice will be recommended in order to regain balance in life.

Ayurvedic teaching recommends that the diet of a pregnant woman should be high in nutritional value and contain meat, green leafy vegetables, eggs, clarified butter (ghee),0 and fruits. Oily, deep fried foods should be avoided since they are hard to digest. As well, it is believed that a woman who wishes to produce milk for her child should consume a lot of milk herself along with rejuvenating herbs such as Shatavari (Asparagus recemosus) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Indian system of exercises aimed at promoting control of the body and mind. The postures are used to relieve stress, heal pain and attain connection between the mind and body. Yoga focuses on using deep breathing, concentration and body poses to calm the mind while increasing flexibility and strength.

During pregnancy, yoga postures can be used to relieve mild aches and pains, cramping and lower back pain. Breathing exercises can help increase blood circulation while reducing stress and encouraging relaxation. The breathing techniques and flexibility attained with yoga can be of use during delivery as well.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being. This technique is at times combined with massage and other healing techniques as part of a holistic treatment approach. Essential oils from various plant sources are administered through inhalation, direct application or internal administration.

The following is a table of some essential oils that may be considered useful to treat certain discomforts during pregnancy:

Essential Oil	Plant	Purpose
Lavender	Lavendula officinalis	Relieves leg cramps and fluid retention. Eases tiredness. Do not use if previous history of miscarriage.
Lemon	Citrus limonium	Varicose veins. Avoid sunlight during use.
Mandarin	Citrus nobilis	Relaxing, prevent stretch marks, relieve fatigue and fluid retention, ease upset stomach.
Neroli	Citrus aurantium	Calming, skin care, relieves nervous tension and insomnia.

The following is a list of commonly used essential oils that should be used sparingly or avoided during pregnancy:

• Basil
• Juniperberry
• Cedarwood
• Marjoram
• Clary Sage
• Myrrh
• Cypress
• Peppermint
• Fennel
• Rosemary
• Jasmine
• Thyme

Aromatherapy can be used to relieve various prenatal discomforts. Massaging the mother's abdomen, breasts and thighs twice daily with neroli or mandarin in avocado oil can help prevent stretch marks. Adding 3-4 drops of a recommended essential oil to a warm (not hot) bath can help relieve her aches and pains. As well, massaging her legs can ease fluid retention and the pain associated with varicose veins.

During labor, back pain can be relieved with a warm compress using two drops of lavender. The mother's birthing assistant can wipe her face with rose, orange flower or lavender floral water to refresh her during labor.

Ultimately, aromatherapy can be used to calm and relax the mother during her prenatal and labor stages of pregnancy. Always remember to stay alert and avoid oils whose uses are prohibited during pregnancy.

Chinese Medicine

Ancient Chinese healers believed that disease resulted from an imbalance in qi (pronounced chee) or vital energy. A person is healthy when their vital energy and blood flow throughout their entire body. There are factors in the mother's environment that can disrupt her qi including: climate, emotions, diet and lifestyle. A Chinese medicine physician will diagnose the imbalance in the mother's life and use techniques such as acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu and herbs to restore balance and health to her body.

Acupressure is a type of Chinese physical therapy that involves stimulating trigger points to unblock and release vital energy. This technique can be used to relieve aches, pains, sinus pressure, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Acupuncture is perhaps the most well known form of Chinese healing in the western world. Natural Chinese medics claim that natural energy flows along 14 paths in order to nourish the body. If any of these paths are blocked, then illness may result. An acupuncturist will insert tiny needles into any of the 800 points in the mother's body in order to stimulate affected areas. It is thought that acupuncture initiates the production of endorphins in the mother's body which act as natural pain relievers. As well, the technique may trigger the release of certain hormones and the neurotransmitter serotonin which may combine to produce a sensation of calmness and relaxation.

The art of qigong is considered to be one of the most powerfully healing techniques that can be initiated by oneself. The art involves special postures that dispel tension and offer a wide array of therapeutic benefits, including increased tissue oxygenation, waste product elimination and positive shifts in brain chemistry. The mother may initially need a teacher to learn the appropriate moves but with practice she can do it herself every morning.

Massage Therapy

There is often no technique more healing than that of human touch. Bodyworks is the term used to describe a variety of methods that use massage, touch and movement to align the spine and muscles while allowing for a flow of energy throughout the body. The following table outlines four popular massage techniques:

Type of Massage	Technique
General Swedish	Focuses on back and chest region. Combines long strokes, kneading and friction on superficial muscles. Pressure is applied in same direction as blood flow to heart.
Tapotement	Percussion-type massage involving short quick strikes with the hands or fingertips.
Trigger point	Massage and pain relief technique for spasms and cramping. Moderate pressure applied to active and latent trigger points for 7-10 seconds.
Vibration	Heel of right hand used for vibration, left hand used for compression.

A combination of these techniques can be used to create a sensation of wellness and relaxation in a pregnant mother.

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