Pregnancy
Papaya tablets are a more natural Tums substitution that I learned about during my second pregnancy and have kept in my home since. They contain papain, which helps to digest food faster and cure indigestion, eliminating the occurrence of heartburn. Products like Tums, although provide temporary relief, cause stomach acid to increase in response to the Tums induced reduction, leaving you in a cyclical need for more.
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Earth Mama’s perennial spray is benzocaine and butane free, unlike the commonly recommended Dermoplast. It can be conveniently sprayed upside down and comes in a fragrance-free option. This alone has provided relief vaginal delivery postpartum for me (for a tear, I also add a high grade manuka honey directly on said spot.)
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The Fresh Test glucose beverage is a newer option available for your glucose test in replacement of the default orange drink that contains dextrose, sodium benzoate, and artificial dyes. If your provider does not work with this product specifically, most local lab testing facilities will. They will then email the results to you and your OB/Midwife/Birth worker of choice upon completion. The 50mg packet is what is needed for your glucose test.
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Magnesium is always beneficial and the large majority needs more of it. There are many types of magnesium supplements and creams marketed, and this is the one we use to target restless legs and charlie horses. It also has received feedback for helping with nightmares, so my children will refer to it as “nightmare cream.” (I'll rub a dime size on the feet to help with sleep on nights they are a little more wired than typical.)
Spider legs, restless legs and even sciatic discomfort is common in pregnancy, and I experienced all three, for all three of my pregnancies. There was a significant difference on nights I used this product on my legs and nights I did not.
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Oral vitamin K is an option few are aware they have post-childbirth. Even hospital birth settings are familiar with this brand, however, they will not perform a circumcision with the oral dosage alone. If you feel your newborn is a candidate for Vitamin K at birth, but also are uncomfortable with the black box warning on the option available at the hospital, this is a great option for your family to consider.
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Earth Mama products for dryness, itchy skin and massage have been the consistent winner throughout my pregnancies. I do not typically buy “products” for my skin, as I feel the basics, like tallow and coconut oil are best because the simpler the ingredient list the better; but itchy belly, excessive dryness and having such rapid stretching and pulling on skin sometimes call for an extra layer of nourishment. Both creams and oils from this company have surpassed all I have tried without feeling sticky and smelling potent. I used the oil for my breasts and the butter for my belly.