Tips from an herbalist for an easier delivery! Along with directions on how to make a natural formula.

*Calcium decreases sensitivity to pain. (Taken with fat and vitamin D to insure absorption - e.g.: Calcium tablets taken with a glass of milk) Take between time labor starts and arrival at the hospital.

*Vitamin E: Greater muscular strength and easier shorter deliveries. Decreases the need for oxygen and the new born stands a better chance. Generous intake of vitamin E shortly before your delivery tremendously increases the elasticity and expandability of the vaginal tissues. (Vitamin C also)

*Zinc: 15 mg. or more per day 1-2 weeks before delivery, cover armpit with zinc oxide each night - it is absorbed through the skin.

*Panothenic acid: Requirement for this skyrockets just before birth. Fruits and vegetables daily also supply potassium to prevent edema.

*Vitamin K: (Yogurt and a cooked leafy green vegetable daily are essential to prevent hemorrhaging in a new baby.

A hearty snack of whole milk, bread, cheese, and a fruit at the beginning of labor could prevent your baby's blood sugar from dropping dangerously low.

Red raspberry leaves (tea) at least during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Comfrey tea is also helpful after birth for healing.

Pack your daily supplements and take them with you to the hospital. Some doctors may say you don't need them, but when your body is under stress it needs more nutrients. Bearing a child is probably the most stressful condition a body can go through. So make sure to keep taking your supplements.

*When nursing, drink at least 8-10 glasses of water (more important than milk or juice) per day.

PREPARING A FORMULA:

Combine the following:

1. 1 Quart of one of the following: medically certified raw milk, yogurt made from whole milk, acidophilus milk, cultured butter milk mixed with 1/4 cup light cream, pasteurized whole milk, or 1 quart of soy milk.

2. 2/3 cup or 6 oz. boiled water.

3. 3 tablespoons of milk sugar or lactose, increase gradually to 5 table spoons.

4. 1/2 shell of a boiled egg, thoroughly blended with a little milk or 2 tsp. calcium gluconate or lactate or 2 tbsp. calcium carbonate.

5. 1 pinch of magnesium oxide or epsom salts. if stools remain formed or child is constipated gradually increase up to 1/4 tsp.

6. 1/4 tsp. vitamin c solution.

7. 1/4 tsp. yeast

8. 1/4 tsp. trace minerals (free from iron)

9. 1/2 tsp. cold pressed safflower oil. (optional)

10. 1/4 tbsp. lecithin (add if the oil is used)

In case the formula is not made of yogurt or acidophilus, add: 1 yogurt tablet, 1/2 tsp. acidophilus culture, or 1-4 tbsp. unsweetened yogurt or acidophilus milk. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or blender. Stir well and fill bottles immediately, or keep in the refrigerator as needed.

Special Evening bottle: Since fat stays in the stomach longer than does any other food, 2 tsp. of cream or 1 tsp. of vegetable oil and lecithin might be put into this bottle. Since proteins have a high satiety value, an egg yolk or a little undiluted yogurt or evaporated milk and or 1-2 tsp. of yeast might be added.

*Note: The NUK nipple (More than natural shape) is recommended by many dentists to assure proper mouth formation and straight teeth!

Learn more about this author, Sarah Barendse.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Childbirth: Techniques to improve and shorten labor?
We want to hear your view. Write now!