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NOTE: Quite a bit more information on this and more
can be found in the "SnarkSchool" section of the BabySnark Forums.
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
Usage:
EPO
is used in TTC to increase cervical mucus. It also lowers
cholesterol, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The active ingredient is cis-linoleic and cis-gammalinolenic
acid (GLA). It may take up to three months to see results.
Recommended Dosage:
Follow the
instructions on the bottle, or try 1,000 mg per day. Some
recommend taking up to 3,000 mg per day, but this dosage has
been known to cause uterine contractions, spotting and
delayed ovulation in some women.
Side Effects:
EPO can cause uterine contractions. Do not use EPO during the
two-week wait after ovulation, or during pregnancy or
breastfeeding. Do not use if prone to seizures or if taking
anti-epileptic/anti-seizure medications. Some people may
experience nausea or headaches as side-effects.
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Garlic
Usage:
Garlic
is a natural do-it-all: it is known to inhibit the growth of
viruses, bacteria, candida and certain parasites. It is also
a wonderful mucus thinner and is often used to help clear up congestion
in the lungs. Some women have experienced an increase in cervical
mucus from using garlic.
Recommended Dosage:
Only fresh, raw
garlic works. Garlic pills and cooked garlic are useless in terms
of medicinal value. Take a clove of garlic and mash it down with
a spoon, then cut it up into smaller bits and drink it down with
a glass of water (as if you were swallowing some vitamins). If you
experience burning, just drink more water. You can take 1-4 cloves
per day; if taking more than 1 clove, it's best to spread it out
throughout the day rather than all at once. It must be used within
30 minutes of smashing. The brave can peel a clove, add a dab of
lube and use it as a suppository.
Food Sources:
Garlic!
Side Effects:
Stinky breath
and stinky poo! (Note that the breath doesn't get very stinky
when taking it as above described. But I can't help you with the
stinky poo part.)
Grapefruit Juice
Usage:
I
researched grapefruit juice and could find nothing anywhere
supporting the various claims that it helps to increase
cervical mucus and/or helps a fertilized egg to implant. I
believe this to be an old (or new!) wives' tale. Grapefruit
juice is rich in calcium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C,
and is of course somewhat high-carb due to the fructose (fruit
sugar).
Recommended Dosage:
However
much you feel like it, unless it gives you heartburn!
Food Sources:
Grapefruits.
Side Effects:
If you drink
too much of it, you might get heartburn. You might also find
yourself having to pee a lot if you drink a lot. Heh heh...
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Guaifenesin (Robitussin)
Usage:
Guaifenesin
is used to loosen and thin mucus.
Recommended Dosage:
First of all,
see this
warning about
possible birth defects from the use of guaifenesin. Now, if you
still want to try this, make very sure that you buy the plain
type that has no letters after the name. Some of the varieties
contain decongestants, which will actually dry up your mucus. The
recommended dosage for increasing cervical mucus is 2 teaspoons
(200 mg) three times a day, with a full glass of water. A better
alternative might be fresh, raw garlic, which also thins mucus
but definitely does not cause birth defects.
Food Sources:
None.
Side Effects:
See this
warning about
possible birth defects from the use of guaifenesin, and also for
more information (pro and con) about it in general.
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Pineapple Juice
Usage:
There
is an old wives' tale floating around that pineapple juice
will help a fertilized egg implant. However, pineapple
juice is not recommended for use in TTC and/or
pregnancy. In large doses, it can cause uterine
contractions and bring on spontaneous abortions (miscarriage).
Recommended Dosage:
Drink
only in small quantities, if at all.
Food Sources:
Pineapples.
Side Effects:
Large doses
may cause uterine contractions, miscarriage, vomiting, diarrhea,
skin rash, very heavy menstrual periods. Unripe pineapple is
poisonous, causing excessive diarrhea.
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Progesterone
Usage:
Progesterone
is a steroid hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary at
ovulation, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands.
Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone
pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid
hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and
testosterone. For more information, click
here.
Recommended Dosage:
First of all,
natural progesterone is much preferred over synthetic progesterone
(such as Provera). Again, click
here
for a full explanation and dose recommendations for progesterone
cream. John Lee, M.D.'s
web site and
books are some of the best resources available regarding
progesterone. One can also use natural sublingual progesterone,
and the dosages should be recommended by a doctor based on
hormone tests. One good source for natural sublingual
progesterone is
BioHealth Diagnostics,
and they can direct you to a doctor in your area who can administer
the tests and set up a dosage program for you. If you prefer to
use progesterone cream, click
here for
a comprehensive list of manufacturers of reliable natural
progesterone cream.
Food Sources:
None. Note that
Mexican Wild Yam is not a source of natural
progesterone; the chemical compounds which mimic progesterone are
not converted by the human body into progesterone, and
this is basically nothing more than a marketing gimmick.
Side Effects:
Natural
progesterone has no side effects. Some women experience sore
breasts and other mild PMS symptoms when they first start to use
it, but this clears rapidly and they then usually experience
fewer PMS symptoms than without the natural progesterone. On the
other hand, synthetic progesterone (such as Provera) can cause considerable side
effects, possibly including birth defects, partial loss of
vision, breast cancer in test dogs, an increased risk of strokes,
fluid retention, migraine headaches, asthma, cardiac
irregularities and depression.
Recommended Brand:
After
testing several brands and reading up on several others, I
found an excellent brand which strictly follows Dr. Lee's
recommendations, and comes in a measured-dose pump bottle. This
is GREAT because the other brands come in tubes or jars and it
is extremely difficult to get a standard dose in this manner.
It is also priced more reasonably than many other brands.
Click here for more
information.
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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Usage:
Vitamin
B6 is used in TTC to lengthen the luteal phase. B6 is also
excellent for some types of excema, and is helpful for nerve
problems such as tingling or burning fingers and toes, and helps
to maintain normal nerve function. B6 is required for the chemical
reactions of proteins - the more protein you eat, the more B6 you need.
Along this same line, B6 is required for sufficient production of
seratonin [alleviates depression, certain migraines, and fibromyalgia
pain] and dopamine [required for good mental health; lack of it
may contribute to Parkinson's disease], and in fact, a B6
deficiency will make it difficult to assimilate amino acids from
your food and any amino acid supplements you might be taking.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. One example of
this affecting one's life would be the amino acid L-Tryptophan,
which helps one to feel calm and to sleep. Don't turn yourself
into a Prozac zombie: Take some B6 instead. B6 is useful in
alleviating PMS. B6 is required for the synthesis of antibodies
in the immune system, and acts in the formation of red blood
cells.
Recommended Dosage:
From 50 to
200 mg per day (over and above any multi-vitamin you might be
taking). Do not take more than 200 mg extra, as this could cause
nerve damage. An excellent form of B6 is called
P-5-P
(Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate).
Food Sources:
Beans, nuts,
legumes, eggs, meats, fish and whole grains.
Side Effects:
Except as
mentioned above (possible nerve damage from excessively high
dosage), none, although when taken late in the day, B6 keeps
some people awake. Best to take B6 in the morning.
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MEDICINE & HERBS IN PREGNANCY
Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation
Herbs to Avoid in Pregnancy
Prescribing Medicines in Pregnancy
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Water
Usage:
Water
is probably the most important substance for the body. Chronic
dehydration has become a commonplace and undiagnosed condition.
One becomes dehydrated long before thirst sets in. In fact,
dry mouth is the last sign of dehydration.
Some of the many results of dehydration include heartburn,
rheumatoid pain, back pain, anginal (heart) pain, headaches,
leg pain on walking, high blood pressure, and, amazingly,
much more. For scientific medical information and full
explanations of how and why, check out
Your Body's Many Cries for Water, by F.
Batmanghelidj, M.D., or click
here.
Recommended Dosage:
A minimum of
six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Alcohol, coffee,
tea and caffeine-containing beverages don't count as
water.
The best times to drink water are: one glass 1/2-hour before
eating (i.e., three meals per day), and another glass about
2-1/2 hours after each meal, PLUS at least another 2 glasses
during the day. There is important additional information
in the above-mentioned book, so I highly recommend that you
purchase it or borrow it from your local library.
You will experience loss of salt from the body when you
increase your water consumption without increasing salt.
A few days after having increased your water consumption,
you should add some sea salt to your diet. Muscle cramps
are often an indication of salt cramps, along with dizziness
and feeling faint. You will also need to increase your
vitamins and minerals, to replace what is washed out.
For every 10 glasses of water (about 2 quarters), add about
half a teaspoon of sea salt per day. If your ankles start
to swell, reduce salt intake but continue the water, and
increase your movement (get up out of that chair!).
Food Sources:
Take a wild
guess!
Side Effects:
There can
be undesireable side effects if you drink TOO much water, but
8-10 glasses per day (or slightly more) is not sufficient to
bring these on. Make sure you supplement with salt, potassium
and other minerals and vitamins (or make very sure you are
getting truly sufficient quantities from your diet).
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DISCLAIMER: The information on this web site is for educational
purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of
physicians or health care practitioners, nor is it intended to
diagnose or prescribe treatment for any illness or disorder.
Anyone already undergoing physician-prescribed therapy should
seek the advice of his/her doctor before reducing the dosage or
stopping such treatment.
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