There are many different foods and herbs that you need to avoid during pregnancy because there isn't sufficient evidence to suggest they're safe. While it's not likely that chicory will cause uterine contractions, it's possible. Since there's no...
Many women wish to speed the induction of labor in a natural way. Anecdotally, women have used a variety of foods and herbs to jump-start labor for hundreds of years, though little scientific evidence supports food use for labor induction. If you...
Throughout history, women have used black cohosh to bring on a late menstrual period, to induce labor, promote lactation, and soothe symptoms of menopause. Evidence for these uses has been largely anecdotal. Today, however, we have the advantage...
The physical and emotional feelings that arise from childbirth can be exhilarating and exhausting. Many women report a feeling of not fully "owning" or being in control of their bodies, especially in the immediate postpartum period. Shifting...
There are many times when inducing labor is required to preserve the health of the fetus or the mom. Labor may also be induced for women who've already had a baby and live far from a hospital. In 2006, nearly one in five women were induced in the...
The World Health Organization recommends that women breastfeed their children for at least two years. Some women become pregnant again and choose to continue to breastfeed during their pregnancy and beyond. While women who have healthy pregnancies...
Your period cramps can vary from month to month with no warning. Some women have more severe cramps than others due to the shape of their uterus, the amount of bleeding they experience or activity level. Diet can also play a role in how mild your...
The female body is designed to carry a pregnancy for 40 weeks, but sometimes it may need a little boost to get labor started. With a variety of methods available, labor-inducing drugs such as pitocin and misoprostol are the main choice for...
Some spices could cause miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, but not because of their spicy flavor. Many spices and herbs stimulate uterine contractions or uterine bleeding, which can cause very early miscarriage or later pregnancy loss. Cooking...
Under the right conditions, breastfeeding can be an effective form of birth control. But fertility returns for different women at different times, and it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. It is even possible to conceive with your...
The pomegranate is a nutritious fruit that has also been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. There is not medical evidence that eating pomegranate fruit and drinking pomegranate juice is harmful during pregnancy, though pomegranate...
As you approach the end of your pregnancy -- and in some cases, pass your due date without delivering -- it's natural to want to induce labor. While there are many natural and herbal induction techniques you may have heard about -- red raspberry...
Black cohosh is a plant that grows throughout North America. Recorded traditional uses of black cohosh date back hundreds of years. Medicinal preparations of the herb are made from the roots of the plant, and are available in capsules, tinctures...
Fenugreek is a food spice and flavoring that also has been used medicinally for centuries. Historical uses included treating gastrointestinal conditions, including stomach ulcers, but today it is used primarily by people with diabetes and elevated...
Many foods can cause gas buildup but the primary reason for bloating during pregnancy is the hormone progesterone. Progesterone, produced by your ovaries and placenta, relaxes the smooth muscle tissue in your uterus and gastrointestinal tract....
The pennyroyal plant, also called "squaw mint" or "mosquito plant," has been traditionally used as a tea to help treat certain medical conditions. In small doses, the oil has been used as a flavoring agent. While the tea is not toxic like the oil,...
Using a breast pump before you give birth can stimulate contractions and bring about labor, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Therefore, it's important not to use a breast pump while pregnant without your doctor's approval. Some...
Blue cohosh is a perennial herb containing flowers that mature into bitter blue seeds. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the safety of many herbs during pregnancy is unknown. Blue cohosh and other herbs are not regulated by the U.S....
Menopause is the cessation of fertility and menstruation that takes place at the average age of 51 in American women. The hormonal changes associated with menopause can cause a variety of symptoms that range in severity from mild to disruptive....
Your nervous system includes your brain, spinal cord and nerves. The autonomic, or involuntary, aspect of your nervous system has a sympathetic division responsible for "fight or flight" and a parasympathetic division that helps your body rest and...
Breastfeeding is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but you do need to pay attention to your diet and signs from your body to keep yourself and your unborn child healthy. Breast and nipple sensitivity affect some pregnant women, making...
It is often confusing during pregnancy to know which herbal remedies are safe and which will harm your baby. Native Americans have used the root of the actaea racemosa, or black cohosh, for a number of ailments including relief of menstrual cramps...
Care from midwives can very greatly. A certified nurse midwife working in a hospital with an obstetrician will use medically minded induction methods, such as Pitocin, artificial rupture of the membranes and vaginal prostaglandin preparations....
During pregnancy, you might question what herbal supplements are safe for you and your baby. While the Food and Drug Administration classifies some herbs as likely safe or somewhat safe during pregnancy -- such as peppermint, ginger, red raspberry...
Pregnancy is an exciting time. Choosing healthy foods is important to your health and the health of your baby. Pomegranate fruit is a nutritious choice that contains several nutrients important to you during your pregnancy. Eating pomegranate...
Exercise is no longer blamed for causing longer periods, increasing blood clots or increasing the risk of cramping. In fact, exercise is now understood to be the perfect antidote to each of these common complaints during menstruation. If you...
Pregnant woman should eat a well-balanced diet to foster normal growth and development of the unborn baby. In India, nutrition of pregnant women is influenced by food fads, taboos, customs, cultural and religious beliefs, food habits and attitudes...
Menstrual cramping is a result of the uterus contracting to expel the lining that is formed during ovulation. This can cause mild to severe cramping. Disorders such as endometriosis can worsen menstrual cramps. Treatment at home can help you avoid...
Throughout your pregnancy, you may experience a decrease in appetite for a variety of reasons. In addition to hormonal changes and discomfort, Aviva Jill Romm, author of "The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices,"...
