A healthy passage through pregnancy

Becoming pregnant and giving birth is not only a great joy but one of the biggest traumas a woman can go through. Minimising the impact of the stress on the body and making pregnancy as natural, healthy and enjoyable as possible is one of the main aims of complementary care. In the time that I have been using biochemic mineral tissue salts in conjunction with clinical nutrition the results support this aim. Many pregnant women taking the minerals have been able to balance their blood sugar levels naturally, improve their haemoglobin and energy levels, reduce cramps, stress, anxiety and manage post natal depression.

A superbly designed healing system based on biochemistry called Schuessler Tissue Salts named after its founder, Dr Wilhelm Schuessler (1821- 1898) has a gentle but profound effect on restoring cellular balance with twelve mineral  salts. Schuessler found the most effective way to assimilate these cell salts was through a homeopathically prepared micro-dose, which passes rapidly through the blood stream and into the cells.
Tissue salts are vital cell foods that can be safely taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding and unlike herbs and pharmaceutically prepared vitamins and minerals, are safe to use with no side effects. Since the tablets dissolve in the mouth with a mild sugary taste they are easy to take. They are inexpensive and effective with no chance of overdose and readily available in a range of pharmacies in Dubai (Al Faisal Pharmacy Al Wasl Rd Umm Suqeim Tel 04 3485102 and Life Pharmacy Al Wasl Rd Satwa Tel 04 3441122).

A professional tissue salt practitioner can decide which tissue salts might be most beneficial based on a full history, signs, symptoms and facial diagnosis. Often the benefits can be felt in the first week of taking the salts and in other cases it is a slower, more subtle improvement over time. It is recommended the dosages be reviewed after 2 weeks to one month or when symptoms change.

Early Stages
Extra demands are placed on the body during pregnancy as it strives to create a new life. If the blood does not contain enough of these mineral resources, reserves are drawn on depleting the system. Biochemic tissue salts are not meant to supply the body with the deficient minerals; rather they help the body to absorb and utlise minerals more effectively assisting women to adapt to the many stressors of pregnancy like cramps and pain, fatigue, nausea, mood problems and indigestion.

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Pre-conceptually and in the early stages of pregnancy four tissue salts help support the body and can be continued throughout the pregnancy. Calcium Phosphate (Calc Phos) is the cell restorer, a remedy that assists in building up protein, blood, bones and teeth. Iron Phosphate (Ferrum Phos) is the blood restorer carrying oxygen to all parts of the body via haemoglobin. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and is also useful in inflammation and immunity. Bleeding during pregnancy and heavy bleeding post partum needs to be investigated immediately by a doctor but may be also helped by using Ferrum Phos.

Calcium Flouride (Calc Flur) is integral to connective tissue, supporting structures of the skin, bones and teeth. It improves the elasticity of tissues helping to prevent varicose veins, stretch marks and tearing during the birth. Finally, Sodium Chloride (Nat Mur) is required for the production of new cells and the distribution of fluids around the body.

Cramps and pain
Magnesium Phosphate (Mag Phos) helps regulate the nervous and muscular system and is a great antispasmodic for muscle cramps, pain relief, managing contractions and blood pressure changes. As magnesium is involved in hundreds of biochemical processes ranging from regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels to managing constipation it is one of the most used remedies during pregnancy.
Low energy and anaemia

A wonderful remedy for fatigue and low energy is to put five tablets of Ferrum Phos and five tablets of Mag Phos in 500ml of water and sip throughout the morning and repeat in the afternoon. Kali Phos is also a powerful tissue salt when there is depletion of the spirit from anxiety, fear and nervousness whilst Nat Mur helps when the person feels “stuck”, sluggish, unfocussed, listless or unmotivated.

Irritability, nervousness and fear
Potassium Phosphate (Kali Phos) is the nerve nutrient that supports the entire nervous system especially when there is fear – fear of problems with the unborn baby, the birthing process or an inability to cope. It works beautifully with Mag Phos to help relieve anxiety, restless nervousness, promote sleep and for post natal depression. Nat Mur can also help when there is depression, melancholy and weeping fits.

Nausea and Indigestion
Morning, or for some women all day sickness and vomiting can be as a result of blood sugar imbalances, hormonal fluctuations, stress or digestive disturbances. Respectively, Calc Phos, Ferrum Phos, Kali Phos and Nat Phos can be helpful depending on what the underlying cause is.

Heartburn and reflux are more common in the later stages of pregnancy but for some women it can be a problem from the start. Excess acidity from dietary imbalances or motility problems associated with hormonal changes can be improved by the tissue salt Sodium Phosphate (Nat Phos) and Mag Phos. Nat phos is the super antacid and is helpful for craving sweet and fatty foods whilst Mag Phos is helpful for constipation and chocolate craving. Nat Mur stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach for adequate digestion.

Water retention
Odema or swelling of the extremities is a sign that the body is not able to deal with the excess circulating fluid. Nat Mur helps to circulate fluids around the body and Sodium Sulphate (Nat Sulph) helps to eliminate excess fluid.

At Cooper Health Clinic we offer an integrative approach including obstetrics, paediatrics, clinical nutrition and stress management, lactation consultations and a range of antenatal and post natal care for mother and baby.

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