Personal Story

When I was pregnant, I didn’t want to take anything that could possibly hurt my baby. I didn’t take over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol.  I did consume a prenatal that was recommended by my doctor. I wasn’t into herbs at the time, but I wish I had been knowledgeable about what herbs I could safely take in pregnancy to support some issues I had.

Herbs in Pregnancy

Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy requires an understanding of the following:

• Nutritional and herbal supplements should be interactive and support rather than interfere with the normal checks and balances of the pregnant woman’s body.
• The choice to use or not use a supplement or herb should depend on an educated decision by the mother since she and her child will be the ones affected by the decision.
• The woman’s practitioner should educate her on the potential benefits and risks to her and her baby by giving her literature, reliable websites, or case studies to study.
• The woman should make the decision on whether the risks verses benefit of a particular herbal preparation.

A woman needs to research and pray about any supplements she takes while pregnant.

Herb Safety

Talk with a health care provider or a trained and experienced herbalist or midwife before taking any herb to educate yourself on its safety.

Not all herbs are safe to take in pregnancy.

Some herbs contain substances that can cause injury to the baby, miscarriage, premature birth, or uterine contractions. There could be interactions between an herb and other medications a person takes. There can also be idiosyncratic reactions in certain individuals.

Few studies on the effects of herbs in pregnancy have been carried out.

Remember that all medication, including herbs, should be kept to a minimum during the first three months of pregnancy.

Some herbs that help with morning sickness may be permissible with your practitioner’s recommendation.

Action

Become knowledgeable about herbs before using them, especially if you’re pregnant. Seek out a health care provider or a trained and experienced herbalist or midwife to help you.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. Where could you find someone to guide you to safe herbs to take during pregnancy?