The Let’s Talk Pregnancy Blog Top Ten: How to Induce Labor Naturally

If you’re attempting to have the most natural labor possible, you’re going to want to avoid artificial induction at all costs. Not only are artificially-induced contractions often significantly stronger and more painful, but starting labor unnaturally can likely lead to further complications. The current state of your cervix will determine how likely the onset of labor is. No amount of any of these, save number one maybe, will produce a baby if it’s not time. Sure, there are plenty of old wive’s tales for starting labor naturally, including eating spicy foods or taking a ride down a bumpy road. But … Continue reading

Homeopathic Remedies for Menopause

I work at a health science center and a few weeks, they had a nurse conducting a seminar on menopause. I am not in full blown menopause, but experiencing the “joys” of perimenopause. But, I figured I would go to check out the seminar anyhow. What I did was pretty much waste my lunch hour. It might have helped some people there, but nurse mainly talked about hormone replacement therapy. Oh no wait, it’s called hormone therapy now. The study that was done years ago that showed that HRT could cause problems has been revisited by many and there were … Continue reading

Ease Hot Flashes with Flaxseed

You can never have enough remedies for those hot flashes! Researchers at the Mayo Clinic took a good look at flaxseed in a recent study. A quick look at the study participants: Twenty-one post-menopausal women None using hormone therapy All of them experiencing fourteen or more hot flashes per week The study participants were asked to take four tablespoons of crushed flaxseed daily. They could eat it pretty much any way they wanted to. Some sprinkled it on yogurt or cereal. Some mixed it into juice or water. I’ve never tasted flaxseed myself, so I’m not sure what kind of … Continue reading

Does Dong Quai Help With Hot Flashes?

Seems like I’ve heard a lot of talk about dong quai lately. This traditional Chinese herb is popular for treating menstrual and menopause problems… but does it work? Doctors suspect that hot flashes are related to changes in circulation. Blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate in an attempt to cool the body — that can create a flushed look in the face. Your body may turn on the sweat to help you cool down. Hot flashes may be triggered by caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, and spicy foods. Stress can also be a trigger for hot flashes. A recent study in … Continue reading

Herbs that Boost Fertility

Herbal remedies have been used for centuries for a variety of health conditions. It seems there is an herbal remedy for nearly every condition. This ancient medicine is gaining in popularity as more people discover the benefits of herbal and homeopathic remedies. There are some herbs that are believed to be beneficial for fertility. These shouldn’t all be taken at once. Choose those that are most beneficial for you. Some of these herbs should only be taken during the first half of the cycle. These should be stopped after ovulation. Others can be taken throughout the cycle. Herbs that Boost … Continue reading

Dealing With Hot Flashes

The most frequent — and most annoying — symptom of menopause and perimenopause is the dreaded hot flashes. More than two thirds of all women going through perimenopause suffer from hot flashes. Nearly all women with premature menopause or induced menopause suffer from hot flashes. What is a hot flash? Doctors don’t know what causes a hot flash, but some suspect they are related to circulatory changes. Blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate in an attempt to cool, producing a red, flushed look in the face. You may also perspire as your body attempts to cool down. You may … Continue reading