…. and other dietary ramblings. ; )

Elizabeth called yesterday to relate the great news of an excellent postpartum checkup. (ck out her blog today for more of their family’s herbal explorations of late).  Her experience prompted me to write about my all time favorite herb – Red Raspberry leaf.  It has been such a friend to me I cannot imagine going through pregnancy and postpartum without it. I am apparently not alone, since it is estimated that 20% of pregnant women now use the herb. Despite that reported number, my personal experience has been that few of my women friends have made extensive use of it.  That is a true pity because I have yet to see it fail to net tremendous results.

Some history here: I had a short, horrifically painful labor with my first son, complete with vomiting and chills. Fortunately I was young and bounced back quickly.  Second son was enormous.  I had become a vegetarian in the interim between these pregnancies and I am not sure if the increase in carbs or just plain old recessive genes came into play but he was 2 and a half lbs heavier and 2 in longer than the first. Recovery went reasonably well but I was torn to pieces during delivery and he was plagued with colic afterwards. My third pregnancy found me riddled with viral infections and generally worn down. I hemorrhaged during delivery and for many many weeks afterwards.  Infections continued and eventually led to a complete physical breakdown. By age 24 my health was shot.

All my research seemed to indicate that an even stricter diet was in order. I became a complete vegan and embarked on an elimination diet to see if some food was triggering the massive problems. I reacted strongly to glutinous grains and corn. (which doesn’t leave one with a whole lot else!) Removing them brought about relief from many symptoms but I had become the Incredible Shrinking Woman. By my 4th pregnancy I was approaching 90 lbs. During this pregnancy I experienced some of my worst preterm contractions and various freakish muscle cramps (in retrospect likely due to the absence of adequate calcium source) I also was determined to try my new trick – Raspberry Leaf. As it turns out, I was induced without access to my herb. Allen brought me tea faithfully in the hospital afterwards however and the effect was near miraculous. If I took the tea, I had no pain or bleeding. If I quit, both kicked up again. By consuming it religiously I had a totally different postpartum experience.

With baby 5 I used the tea during pg and early labor. By the time it was clear that I was truly in labor and arrived at the hospital I was 6cm. Within 90 minutes we had a baby girl. The postpartum team was on alert since I was considered a grand multipara by this time and was "at risk of hemorrhage". Whatever. <g> It never happened. In fact female health, which was the only health I had at that pt, was excellent. Unfortunately my general health was still in decline. I would diagnosed with adult onset asthma within a year.

At this point we abandoned the vegetarian diet and added more protein. Things began to improve. I concieved my 6th child and embarked on Dr Brewer’s diet for pregnancy. No more infections!! I gained a lb a week which concerned me but I was strong enough to see my oldest through grueling neurosurgery in the late first trimester while my husband was out of state for 6 wks of military training. I was also able to tolerate a wider variety of foods that I had previously reacted to. Perhaps it was true – the protein and vitamins were rebuilding my health.  The pregnancy proceeded rather uneventfully. I added Squawvine herb to my delivery arsenal. The result? Labor at home from 1-4am. Arrived at the hospital at 4:40 am having walked from the parking lot to the second floor unit. At 4:50 I was 8cm. At 5:20 we had a big baby boy. Again, no hemorrhage, quick recovery, and this time no infections at all. In fact I felt better than I had in many years.

My health continued to improve in the following months and I became pg with number 7. We had some pressing family challenges during this pg but my health was superb. I again used copious amts of the raspberry and the additional squawvine as delivery neared. I woke up at 1 am at 39 wks with strong contractions. After an hr it appeared as though this may really be labor and I got into the tub to relax for what I expected would be a bit of early labor. My water promptly broke and we did not make it to the hospital. That’s right!  Surprise homebirth at 3am. After the shock wore off I was exhilarated. I felt wonderful and the recovery was as quick as the previous ones.

With Brendan, our last baby, Allen deployed to Iraq. It was by far the most frightening time to be pg – and alone on top of it.  Delivery was complicated by a bit of an odd presentation but nevertheless he was born after 3 hrs of labor. At my postpartum check I surprised the military provider who expected a far different exam of a woman in her late 30’s with this many children.

I had a dear friend locally who was also delivering her 8th child the same month. She also used the raspberry and squawvine for the first time with that baby. This woman, who typically went overdue and had long labors, also delivered her baby before the midwife arrived. Recovery was remarkably speedy. She was convinced!

I am technically full term today – 37 wks! I have followed the Weston Price and Brewer plans this pregnancy and we had only one bout of colds go through the house as fall set in. This time I was unbelievably free from the troublesome preterm contrax that have been a mainstay of my pgs. I attribute this to our goat’s milk as much as the general diet.

I am beginning my increase of raspberry today and will incorporate the squawvine which seems to act as a contraction regulator. The prospect of labor pain is stil intimidating. Probably always will be! But I am encouraged by all this past experience and that of my friends that it will not be insurmountable. I do not generally fear tearing or postpartum hemorrhage barring freak accidents either. The diet and herbs do incredible things for tissue health!

If you are interested in reading more check out these links:

Pregnancy.com on raspberry

Cmommies story ""

Babycentre on rasp and squawvine

Squawvine

Brewer Diet for Pregnancy

WAP diet for Pregnancy