Preventing Miscarriage Naturally

By: Judith Cobb Cobblestone Health There is no time during pregnancy when nutrition is unimportant. Of the nine months of gestation, however, the first three are the most important. During this first trimester the baby grows to about three inches in length and weighs about one ounce. Its sex is determined. It can open and close its mouth and kick and squirm - but as yet is too small for 'mom' to feel it carrying on. This is the time for mom and dad to visit the doctor and/or midwives to discuss birthing options. (Don't just 'go along' with whatever the doctor does 'routinely'. Do some research now on labor positions, drugs, fetal heart monitoring, episiotomy, labor and delivery place, birth attendants, breast feeding, rooming in, vitamin K, erythromycin or silver nitrate, etc., etc..) A visit to an herbalist is also a good idea - just to make sure all of the nutrients are being supplied in the most easily assimilated form. I generally caution pregnant women away from synthetic prenatal vitamins and iron. Often these vitamins are candy coated and so hard that very few people can digest them. They tend to pass right through - whole. Synthetic iron usually causes bowel movements to turn black. It also causes constipation and/or diarrhea. (A dose to three mg. has been documented as causing death in young children.) During pregnancy there are some herbs which should not be used at all and several others that may be used very carefully. Most herbs are totally safe when used in moderation and with wisdom. Herbs to avoid are rue and pennyroyal. Both of these herbs can cause miscarriages and many other severe complications of pregnancy. Herbs that need to be used with caution include black cohosh, blessed thistle, blue cohosh, cramp bark, damiana, dong quai, false unicorn, ginseng, licorice, sarsparilla, saw palmetto, squaw vine and yarrow. These herbs all contain steroid-like constituents which could possibly affect the secondary sex characteristics of the baby. Another herb to be careful with is golden seal ".. one of the active ingredients is hydrastine, which contracts the uterus when taken in large quantities. Don't take more than 1/4 tsp. or one 00 capsule per day." (1) The first trimester is the period during which most miscarriages occur. Early warning symptoms of miscarriage are cramping and bleeding. Most doctors will say they can do nothing to prevent the inevitable, and while herbs don't always result in a live birth after a threatened miscarriage, the benefits are usually pretty good anyway. The herbalists rule of thumb is "Herbs will stop it if it can be stopped. If not, then the herbs will speed it along and help mom recover faster". There are many causes of miscarriage including malnutrition, hormone imbalance, and emotional factors. More than one cause is often involved. Nutritional requirements of pregnant women are very high. To get the amount of nutrients required the diet must be loaded with healthy, whole, live foods. Herbs and other nutritional supplements may be used to enhance the diet. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, sprouts, butter (not margarine), dairy products (if they are tolerated), nuts, seeds, organically raised animal protein (to avoid the hormones and antibiotics used in producing commercial animals) and yogurt are the types of foods to be eaten. This is definitely a time to avoid smoking and smoke/exhaust filled areas, refined and lifeless non-foods, coffee, tea, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, deep fried foods, products made with white flour, white sugar and artificial colors. All of these items deplete vitamins and mineral reserves and weaken the whole body. Good nutrition can help prevent miscarriage. The following chart adapted from Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible for Your Kids shows his R.D.A. for pregnant women. Nutrient Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Folic Acid Niacin Calcium Phosphorus Magnesium Supplemental Iron Iodine Zinc Recommended Daily Allowance 1000 IU 400-500 IU 80-100 IU 80-100 mg. 1.5 mg. 1.5 mg. 2.6 mg. 8-10 mg. 16 mg. 16 mg. 1200 mg. 1200 mg. 450 mg. 30-60 mg. 175 mcg. 20 mg. (1) Remember that these amounts are only to maintain, not to improve health. Some of the herbs that can be used to fill in nutritional gaps are: Red Raspberry - Acts as a uterine tonic, contains many vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and B-Complex. Yellow Dock - Blood purifier and glandular tonic. Contains many nutrients, a few of which are organic iron, vitamins A & C, calcium and magnesium. Liquid Chlorophyll - General tonic for the whole body, but especially the blood. Combination of Alfalfa, Kelp and Dandelion - Glandular balancer, general tonic, provides all vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, iodine, B-complex vitamins, eight essential amino acids and vitamin C. Combination of Kelp, Dulse, Watercress, Wild Cabbage, Horseradish and Horsetail - Good for the heart, bowels, fluid retention (keeps sodium and potassium balanced which is necessary for proper nerve impulse transmission), rich source of potassium and other trace minerals. Rosehips - Good for blood, nerves, heart and capillary integrity, excellent source of vitamins A, B-complex and C, also Rutin (for tissue elasticity), calcium and iron. It can be used like a "one-a-day" vitamin for children. Of course good natural source vitamins can also be used to prevent miscarriages and enhance the health of both mom and babe. Some that I have found useful are: Vitamin E Zinc Vitamin B6 B-Complex Another cause of miscarriage is hormone imbalance. When I'm muscle testing a client and detect a hormone problem, I work with the anti-miscarriage herbs to prevent a miscarriage. Once the miscarriage is threatening, I have had success working with frequent doses of feverfew, lobelia, red raspberry, catnip and an herbal combination of golden seal, capsicum, false unicorn, ginger, uva ursi, cramp bark, squawvine, blessed thistle, and red raspberry. Many of these herbs are not recommended for long term use during pregnancy because of their affect on hormones. In miscarriages, however, the natural hormones are deficient, unbalanced or ineffective. Doctor Christopher reflects on lobelia in these words: "Lobelia is a selective herb. When a fetus is dead, or in an extremely weakened condition, lobelia will cause it to abort. However, if the fetus is well and healthy, and the mother is weak, it will cause the mother to heal and strengthen, enabling her to carry the child until the proper time for delivery. Lobelia accurately and intelligently selects which way to go. It is truly a 'thinking' herb." (2) Specific herbs in the anti-miscarriage formula which act with intelligence to stop cramping include false unicorn and cramp bark. I generally muscle test to determine the best dose for mom, but when my client is at home or miles away, I encourage her to go to bed and I rely on inspiration to recommend dosages. When a miscarriage is active (bleeding and/or cramping) herbs should be taken every two hours around the clock. When symptoms have ceased, the herbs should be taken four times a day during waking hours for one to two weeks. If the miscarriage does happen, continue the herbs four times a day for three to seven days to help mom get her strength back. Rest and relaxation are vital in the event of miscarriage or threatened miscarriage. Emotions can also cause miscarriages. A mom in a high stress situation (perhaps unmarried, financial problems, health problems, unstable marriage, unwanted pregnancy, etc.) is more likely to miscarry. Dr. Thomas Verny indicates that a very young fetus is aware of stress outside the womb. He theorizes that some fetuses may choose to die rather than inflict further stress and pain on their mothers or themselves. When a pregnant woman is under stress, she not only depletes her own vitamin and mineral reserves and her own adrenal and glandular strength, but she drains these things off her baby. Possible therapies for stress in pregnancy and threatened miscarriage include Bach Flower Remedies, herbs and vitamins, nutrition, massage, and introspection. Bach Flower Remedies - Flower petal extracts that help to heal the emotional hurts of life. I like to use Rescue Remedy along with any other flowers that seem to fit the individual situation. Many books are available on Bach Flower Remedies. Herbs and Vitamins - I have discussed specific herbs and vitamins for these purposes already. They are vitally important. Nutrition - During stressful times, and especially miscarriage, the diet should be as simple, natural and easy to digest and assimilate as possible. Fruit, raw and gently cooked vegetables, sprouted grains, cultured dairy products and broths or light soups should make up the bulk of the diet. I recommend avoiding animal flesh, cheese (except yogurt cheese and crumbly cheeses), milk, breads and such during such situations. Massage - Any mild form of massage can be beneficial at this time. The key is to keep it gentle and relaxing. Introspection - (Self talk and baby talk) - This amounts to digging deep into yourself. Do you really want this baby? Why or why not? Share your answers with your partner and the baby. I have used all these therapies with clients. We have had pregnancies that doctors said wouldn't last the night go to term and produce beautiful children. We have also had miscarriages speed up and end quickly with not medical intervention required, resulting in a very healthy mom. Remember the rule of thumb. Herbs will stop it if it can be stopped. If not, then the herbs will speed it along and help mom to recover faster. Footnotes: (1) Mindel, Earl, Vitamin Bible for Your Kids; (2) Christopher, John, School of Natural Healing. References: Christopher, John, School of Natural Healing, Christopher Publications; Gardner, Joy, Healing the Family, Bantam Books; Mervyn, Leonard, Thorson's Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals, Thorsons Publishers; Mindel, Earl, Vitamin Bible for Your Kids, McLelland and Steward; Robertson, Laurel, et. alabama, Laurel's Kitchen, Ten Speed Press; Royal, Penny, Herbally Yours, Sound Nutrition; Tenney, Louise, Health Handbook, Woodland Books; Verny, Thomas, Secret Life of the Unborn Child, Collins Publishers.