26 | June 2020 |motherandbaby.co.ukBENEFITSTakea more mindfulapproachto pregnancy,withnature’sremedies...MEETTHE
EXPERTTracyDonegan
is a midwife, positive
birthexpert,author
ofMindfulPregnancy
(£16.99,DK),and
a mumof twoNaturalGinger
for nausea
If you’re feeling nauseous due to
hormonal changes in early pregnancy, ginger
is one of the best-known natural remedies. Plus,
it can help to alleviate digestive problems like
bloating. Several studies suggest ginger is a safe and
effective way to reduce nausea and vomiting without
any side effects. So stock up on ginger biscuits to nibble
on, and have ginger lollipops in your bag for when you are
out and about. You can also chew on candied ginger – a
2.5cm piece is equal to about 500–1000mg of dried
ginger — or take a supplement. You can use freh
ginger in smoothies, or add it to stir-fries, too
Home-made ginger tea is great to sipon
throughout the day. Steep one teaspoonof
grated fresh ginger in boiling water;leave
to infuse, then drain and sweeten,
or dilute more if the taste is
too strong.As a new mum-to-be, the
pressure to be perfect and look
like we have it all figured out
can make the transition to
motherhood even more
difficult. Life seems to be
getting busier and more stressful, yet there
is often still an unwritten expectation that
mums-to-be should just keep on going while
doing the most awe-inspiring job imaginable- growing a human being! But taking a more
mindful approach to pregnancy has the
potential to change our relationship with our
thoughts, emotions, and with the world. It’s
not a magic wand, but it can allow us some
grace and space to approach our inner and
outer world with a generous attitude of
curiosity, kindness, and care. We begin to see
ourselves as worthy of as much kindness and
gentleness as we give to our newborn baby.
Pregnancy presents us with a unique
opportunity to connect with our bodies in a
way many of us haven’t experienced since we
were uninhibited toddlers! And mindfulness
goes one step further, inviting us to really feel
at home in the changing landscape of
our body and mind, with acceptance
and appreciation for this incredible
experience. So, pause and engage in
your pregnancy in a way that may
initially feel foreign to you – it may
just change the way you experience
your pregnancy both physically
and emotionally.
NATURAL REMEDIES
A great place to start when taking
a more mindful approach to
pregnancy is by listening to your
body, and responding to it in a
natural way. Many expectant mums
find they are keen to find safe, natural
ways to reduce pregnancy discomforts.
Exploring natural remedies doesn’t meanturning your back on medicine, just being
more mindful about your care.
Here, we’ve outlined a few natural
remedies to common pregnancy ailments,
to get you started. These natural remedies
are safe to use in pregnancy (some you may
wish to try after the first trimester), but
always check with your midwife first.
You may find some remedies are more
effective than others, and there may
be some pregnancy discomforts or
challenges that you can’t alleviate
with natural, or even medical, options!
But something that might have been
considered an old wives’ tale can
make the difference between
an enjoyable pregnancy and a
challenging one. Cultivating a holistic,
mindful approach to pregnancy can
also help you feel more in control of
your wellbeing and your baby’s.PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK