After giving birth to three petite little girls, my husband and I decided that for our next birth, we would go "natural" before and hopefully after the birth. Well, I gave birth to a very healthy baby boy, weighing 8 pounds! The birth was an easy feat without drugs, but afterwards was another story! I had always taken my Vicodin after the birth of my girls (I was not breastfeeding), but this time I was nursing and did not want to take a narcotic. My doula and midwife suggested I check out herbs available to me, and so I contacted Herb Lore. They took much time to suggest a wonderful remedy for me - Postpartum Sitz Bath Herbs. But instead of taking a sitz bath with them, I followed the instructions for making a "tea" of the herbs and using sanitary pads to soak up some of the brew. I then froze the pads and wore them throughout the day and night. (Complete instructions are on the product label.) It was a WONDERFUL relief. I took no narcotics and unlike medication, I could use the pads as much as needed. I wish I had known about this technique after I had my girls! Timmy was my biggest baby, most pleasant birth, and easiest recovery (thanks to Herb Lore's herbs!!!). J.Y.
Herbs for pregnant and nursing moms is NOT your regular herbalism!
Many herbalists have extensive knowledge about using herbs, but not many are specifically trained in using herbs with pregnant, trying-to-conceive or breastfeeding mothers. This is a whole other realm of herbalism with critical considerations and consequences for pregnant and nursing mothers and their babies. Our herbalist and company founder, Pam Caldwell, is one of the few herbalists who specialize in this area, with over 20 years of experience. She is knowledgeable about what works and what herbs to use for various problems, and especially what is safe and appropriate for pregnant moms, trying-to-conceive moms, and breastfeeding moms and their babies. What might be safe for a regular person may be contraindicated (or even dangerous) for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman or her baby. The importance of using products made by an expert or listening to advice from an expert when pregnant or breastfeeding cannot be understated.
Pam was made acutely aware of this fact in her early years when she was working for another herbalist (who was wonderful and very knowledgeable), but even she wasn't aware of what was safe and what was not. Pam would ask her if various herbs were safe for pregnant women (as she was starting her midwifery training at that point), and her boss would say yes. Pam found out later that several of the herbs actually were NOT safe for pregnant women as she had stated. This was a jarring realization for Pam as she learned what could have happened had one of those customers been pregnant. This is why she takes such care to make sure the herbs she uses in her formulas are specifically designed for and are safe for pregnant women, nursing women, and their babies. Over and over Pam will go into herb shops and find lactation teas or pregnancy teas with herbs that should not be included a formula such as that. Regular herbalists have immense knowledge, but they just don't know this level of specialized information. It's nothing to screw around with or to take lightly.
Pam has created the Herb Lore line of products with pregnant and breastfeeding moms specifically in mind utilizing her specialized knowledge and expertise. She and Herb Lore's products have been a trusted resource by midwives, OB's, Lactation Consultants, pediatricians and other mama/baby care providers around the world since 1996. We have a product or solution for just about anything a trying-to-conceive, pregnant, lactating, or new mom might need, or any problem they may encounter. Because of our specialized information, the Herb Lore website and its information are frequently used as required reading in various birthworker or doula trainings. The products that she's created and that Herb Lore offers are safe for use by pregnant and breastfeeding moms, unless otherwise stated in the product description and on the product label.
When researching herbs for yourself as a pregnant mom, a trying-to-conceive mom (we consider you pregnant already, as you never know when you might be!), and nursing mom, keep in mind that there are herbs that might be fine for regular folks, but could be harmful to your babe. Use a specialist whenever you can. The importance is crucial.
Please see our article (found in Articles & Information, under the Information tab, Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy and Lactation.