2nd trimester bump buddies

[k]

Smita-All my preg books say a white discharge is normal, in fact it can be increased during pregnancy, so dont worry. Theres no mention that theres a problem unless its a different colour! I also have it daily!

Tyler - All information Ive read on lavender oil is that its early pregnancy (First trimester) that its best to avoid/be cautious with. After this, its best avoided if there is risk of miscarriage, but low risk pregnancy should be fine. I will certainly be using it in back massages later on in pregnancy as its a good analgesic. ( I just know im going to have back problems later on. My lower back already aches when I try to lie on my back!) The problem with Lavender is that most people think the essential oil is completely safe and it is very safe in most circumstances, but as with all essential oils is a very powerful oil and should be treated with respect.
It is very good for headaches, so I hope its helping! Acupuncture is great isnt it? It helped me with a hip problem I had, alongside IVF and all the anxiety!
Good luck with your scan. Mine is in 2 weeks. I know what you mean about been nervous!

Take care
Love Kim

[k]

Hi Everyone

Just thought I would pass on some tips re pregnancy and stretchmarks.
When I was doing my aromatherapy diploma, our tutor told us about an aromatherapist's little experiment while she was pregnant. She wanted to see if using aromatherapy oils stopped stretchmarks. She massaged one side of her body, while leaving the other to nature. The side she massaged was fine. She got stretchmarks on the other side! I surpose its one way of finding out if it works, but Im certainly doing both sides, im not bothered about proving anything!
Ive made up a blend (In a cream base) this morning. Ive added Neroli (orange blossom), Mandarin and Frankincense essential oils to it. It smells gorgeous! Some books discuss adding essential oils to carrier oils (Such as you use for massage). There are different types of carrier oils to use, some which have more benefit to the skin than others. (Note that some of these carrier oils are nut oils).
If you dont want to make your own blends up, then some shops which sell aromatherapy treatments may be happy to advise you or make them up for you. Neroli essential oil is expensive bought in its pure form, so it might be worth considering this. You can also mail order creams specifically made up for pregnancy and stretchmarks from some aromatherapy shops/retailers.
No guarantee that they work, but im certainly going to give it a go!

Take care
Love Kim

[Smita]

Kim,
Thanks for advice re white discharge.. i got a little psyched cause it was a kind of clear in the morning then the later one became white and I have this paranoia abt the water bag breaking too early andme not knowing..anyway, right now there isnt any..
And abt your essential oil in a cream base for stretch marks, I'm highly interested in trying that out.. Am already on the fat side..ok big side!!(gotto give some concession to vanity!!) so am showing a little so want to know more abt what cream base you use..
Currently, after a bath I use bodyshop cocoa butter cream..thats all..
So how do i make up a blend , or do the oils used differ from person to person??
I'm sure it smells yummy..
Thanks,hugs,
smita.

[k]

Hi Smita

I just use a plain base cream bought from an aromatherapy shop which I add my oils to. Cocoa butter is actually a v.good cream to use anyway. One of my books suggests this (although the author makes her own cocoa butter and then adds essential oils to it). Im not sure Id want to add essential oils to an already prepared product though.
As far as which oils you use, yes, different oils may be used for different people. This is because what I might like the smell of, you might dislike and because im holistic (Treat the whole person-body, mind and spirit) whats suitable for one person isnt necessarily for another even though they have the same symptoms! However, Neroli and Mandarin would be my first choice for stretchmarks. Other oils I would happily use during pregnancy are any citrus oils e.g orange, lemon, bergamot etc. Sandalwood, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang. My dilution was aprox 2% blend. I added (In 100ml cream) up to 13 drops of each essential oil (Less for Frankincense as its a stronger smell).

Just to say, this is what ive made up for myself, which im happy to give information on, but obviously if I were treating a client then I would be doing a full consultation before giving advice on oils and blends! Just take care if treating yourselves with essential oils yourself, make sure they are pure essential oils and another tip - avoid the sun/sun beds if using citrus oils-it can affect your skin!

Love Kim

[Smita]

Thanks Kim,
Thats a lot of info.
and very professional too!!
I'll see if I can find a good aroma therapy store with oils here cause lots of copycats abound!!

[k]

Just read my post back. I forgot to mention its best not to use any more than 3 essential oils in one blend.
Im going to bed now. Busy day tommorrow, church in the morning then a christening in the afternoon. Spent today doing chores and my tax return.
Great fun!
Hope you are all enjoying the weekend.
Love Kim

[Smita]

Kim,
i know you probably wont see this until tomorrowconsidering you're busy today,
but what does your journal say abt coffee(I takeit with milk and little sugar)Its the only thing that helps with headaches..Though my doc told me a cup or even 2 a day doesnt hurt..and btw, whens your scan??
next week??

have to go and buy a good book on pregnancy..waiting for dh to come mid sept and have a shopping spree planned..maternity clothes etc..
Hows everyone else? Tyler and susie, hope you both are relaxing a little..

[Susie]

Smita dont worry the discharge is normal I get it, its supposed to start around 17 wekks but can be earlier or later as everyones different. My labour started last time with my waters breaking and believe me when that happens you certainly know about it!

I have since seen my consultant and she has agreed to do my 20 week scan for me, she is the best in the area so hopefully all will be OK. She says looking at my results, the chance of a 'normal person' having a baby with a disability is 3% and my nuchal result takes me to 5 % so I'm a bit relieved now, as those odds aren't too bad. Roll on 1st Sept!

Hope you're all relaxing. We were told it would rain from wed onwards but we havent seen any yet, so I'm enjoying all this sun!

Susie

[k]

Smita - Ive got a few(!) pregnancy books, so they can slightly differ with what they advise. I havent given up coffee. I allow myself one cup a day and then becareful with what else I eat/drink with caffeine in for the rest of the day-such as tea, cola, chocolate etc. One of my books is even funny about fruit juice because of the sugar, but I think we'd drive ourselves mad worrying what we should and shouldnt be eating/drinking.
( the one craving I do have is for grapefruit juice, so I say if my body craves it im having it!!). One of my books says to have caffeine in moderation and another says to have no more than 2 'servings' a day.

Susie- My scans on the 2nd sept! Im nervous about it now although excited as well.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, everyone.
Love kim

[Smita]

Hi Kim and Susie,
Thanks for the help..
Both of you have scan within a day of each other..
Wishing you lots and lots of luck for your scans..

[tylerb]

I have been quite lucky and gone right off coffee but I still drink tea,during treatment I cut caffeine out completely then up to about 12 weeks but I have had the odd diet coke since,I think it is all in moderation after 12 weeks I have also had the odd glass of red wine but it gives me idigestion now!
Smita I have had a lot of discharge rangeing from clear to white but all the info I have read say it is normal and it is supposed to increase again past 19 weeks but hey what would we girls do if we had nothing to worry about HA HA!!

[Smita]

Hi tyler,
Thank you..It is encouraging to know that the white discharge is normal..The clear part was what worried me though.. Now am fine..
Hope you're feeling better..when do u have your next scan?
Wishing all you lovely moms to be a lovely week!

[Smita]

hallo!!
its Quiet here!
sshhh!! babies and mommies to be sleeping!!
ok, I'll go nap myself then!!
have a as much as possible worry free week all!

[Smita]

Hi all,
Just wanted to pick your brains again on books on pregnancy..
In my local bookstore there are 2 I like..
One is called "what to expect when you're expecting" and
another is "conceotion pregnancy and birth" or something and its by Dr Miriam stoppard..
Anyone of you heard or would recommend/not these books??There was also some book by a Dr spock but it seemed a little old fashioned to me so i didnt peer inside it..
The point is, once you are pregnant, are you like a normally(without assistance) pregnant woman or are there some books specific for pregnancies after IVF/IUI??
Any advice will be appreciated..
Thank you all,
hugs,
smita

[LittleP]

Smita

I have the Miriam Stoppard one and it's like a bible - fantastic and highly recommended by loads of my friends.

Hope this helps

Little P