Increase pregnancy chances with a maca root supplement

Struggling with fertility issues? Recent studies indicate a root vegetable in the form of a tablet or powder may increase chances of conception when added to a couple’s diet.

Another natural and organic supplement that makes claims of successfully increasing fertility is called maca (Lepidium meyenii). It comes in the form of a tablet or powder and appears to be receiving high accolades. This root-like vegetable, shaped like a turnip grows at 12,000 feet above sea level. It is grown in the higher altitudes of the Andes.

Native Peruvians have successfully used maca root for hundreds of years in an effort to affect fertility at higher altitudes. This supplement can be used by both the man and woman.

Numerous small studies have been conducted on the use of maca. One study included nine men who received maca tablets between 1500 and 3000 mg/day) for 4 months depending upon their weight and size. Their levels were measured before and after treatment.

After using a maca supplement for four months, their seminal volume increased as did their sperm count per ejaculation. Sperm motility showed positive response as well.

Progesterone levels in women are essential to carry a healthy pregnancy to term. Maca root supplements work for women by attempting to control estrogen levels from becoming too high, thus causing progesterone levels to plummet possibly leading to miscarriage.

Increasing egg health and viability, normalizing hormonal balance, increasing seminal volume, increasing sperm count and motility may be as simple as adding this supplement to one’s diet. The cost for 100 tablets runs approximately $25 and about $20 for the powder.

Author: Cindy Ferda

Labor Cubes

One very effective trick (in hospitals that insist that mothers labor on "clear liquids only") is to have the mother take along a zippy bag of "labor cubes" to the hospital, storing them in her room fridge. "Labor Cubes" are ice cubes made out of very strong raspberry leaf tea (perhaps one cup herb to one quart water, simmered down to half and strained) that is heavily sweetened with honey. If the laboring mother begins to fade, energy petering out or contractions waning due to lack of nutrition, she can chomp on these satisfying slushy cubes, which usually will perk her up and kick in some great contractions in a matter of minutes.

— Beth Barbeau
Excerpted from "Tricks of the Trade: Liquids Only," Midwifery Today, Issue 81

Acupuncture Soothes Heartburn in Pregnant Women

I have used acupuncture in my practice in the past with great results. Never had I thought to recommend it for heartburn - which most of my clients suffer from at some point in their pregnancies. Good to know!
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009


Acupuncture can help ease symptoms in pregnant women with upset stomachs, a small new study from Brazil shows.

Pregnancy can cause a host of gastrointestinal woes, including heartburn, reflux, and bloating, Dr. Joao Bosco Guerreiro da Silva of Rio Preto Medical College in Sao Jose do Rio Preto and his colleagues note in their report. While many studies have looked at acupuncture for treating vomiting and nausea in pregnancy, they add, there has been no research on whether it is helpful for other pregnancy-related stomach symptoms.

To investigate, the researchers randomly assigned 42 pregnant women with dyspepsia to undergo acupuncture or standard treatment for 8 weeks.

Every 2 weeks, the researchers interviewed the women about their heartburn symptoms, how many antacid tablets they used, and how their symptoms affected their eating and sleeping.

Six women dropped out of the study, including five in the control group. Heartburn symptom intensity fell by at least half in 75 percent of the acupuncture patients and 44 percent of those in the control group. Seven women in each group used antacids; for those in the acupuncture group, average use fell by 6.3 doses, compared to an increase of 4.4 doses in the control group.

At the end of the study, 15 of the 20 women (75 percent) in the acupuncture group said they had at least a 50 percent improvement in eating, and 14 (70 percent) had this degree of improvement in sleeping. Among the control group women, 31 percent and 25 percent showed 50 percent improvement in their eating and sleeping, respectively.

There were no side effects of the treatment, and no differences between the infants born to the women in the acupuncture and control groups. The researchers caution against using acupuncture points in the lower back or lower abdomen in pregnant women, due to possible concerns that needling could trigger contractions.

"This technique should be further studied in prospective randomized studies of large populations to confirm our findings in effectiveness and the absence of adverse effects," da Silva and his team write. "It is simple to apply and if used in an appropriate manner can reduce the need for medication."

Using Honey on Tears

I received this in my Midwifery Today newsletter. I had forgotten about this trick of the trade and was happy to be reminded. Thankfully, I don't see many tears at home.

Raw honey is a great remedy for first-degree [perineal] tears. Honey's thick consistency forms a barrier defending the wound from outside infections. The moistness allows skin cells to grow without creating a scar, even if a scab has already formed. Meanwhile, the sugars extract dirt and moisture from the wound, which helps prevent bacteria from growing, while the acidity of honey also slows or prevents the growth of many bacteria. An enzyme that bees add to honey reacts with the wound's fluids and breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, a disinfectant. Honey also acts as an anti-inflammatory and pain killer and prevents bandages from sticking to wounds. Laboratory studies have shown that honey has significant antibacterial qualities. Significant clinical observations have demonstrated the effectiveness of honey as a wound healing agent. Glucose converted into hyaluronic acid at the wound surface forms an extracellular matrix that encourages wound healing. Honey is also considered antimicrobial.
— Demetria ClarkExcerpted from "Herbs for Postpartum Perineum Care: Part I," The Birthkit, Issue 46