What is Nora Tea?
NORA – the basics Nora Tea is simply a blend of four herbs to make one herbal teas – its beneficial and most commonly discussed by midwives and herbalists for pregnant women who are growing and birthing as well as nourishing their newborn through breastmilk. The benefits of the tea come from the different herbal ingredients that are jam packed with various nutrients that are thought to support a mom on her journey. From there it is also suggested throughout fertility, and even though I’m not trying to concieve I’m using it in my women’s health journey. So let’s dive in. Want to find something specific use our table of contents to jump to your favorite spot. Table of Contents NORA – the basics NORA Ingredients + Benefits Nettle Leaf Oatstraw Red Raspbery Leaf Alfalfa How to Make Nora Tea How to Make It The 411 on Herbs NORA Ingredients + Benefits Nora stands for Nettle, Oatstraw, Red Raspberry Leaf and Alfalfa Nettle Leaf Nettle is the first up in this beautiful NORA blend (imagine if it was oran hahaha!) Scientific Name: Urtica Dioica Active Ingredients: Histamine, Tannin, Saponins, Acetylcholine Formic Acid, Sterols, Chlorophyll, Glucoquinine, Serotonin, Iron, & Vitamin A, C, D and K in an easily absorbable form, very high in minerals, including silicon. Actions: Astringent, diuretic, nutritive, detoxifier, galactagogue, decongestant, hypoglycemic & tonic. Astringent means it reduces discharges. Galactagogue means it supports the production of breast milk. So let’s talk about why EVERY WOMAN can benefit from the herb nettle. Full of iron, potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium. Which helps balance electrolytes, supports fetal growth, eases leg cramps, assists with better sleep, keeps anemia at bay, prevents postpartum hemorrhage and aids in the absorption of other micronutrients It’s also beneficial with the large amounts of Vitamin A, C, K+B which can nourish the blood and growing baby, improve blood vessel strength and elasticity while support energy metabolism and immune health It can greatly help reduce discharge, supports milk production, prevents bladder infections, strengthens kidneys and adrenals, helps prevent hemorrhoid’s and varicose veins, anti-inflammatory, reduces the misery of pollen allergies or hay fever, diminishes muscle pain in all areas of the body. Oatstraw Oatstraw is next in the shortform code for this wonderful tea (interesting Nora is a female name actually too…) Scientific Name: Avena Sativa Active Ingredients: 50% starch, proteins, alkaloids, saponins, flavones, sterols, Vitamin B, silica, & calcium, magnesium, silicon, potassium, & iron. Actions: Nervine tonic, anti-depressant, nutritive, demulcent, vulnerary. Demulcent means soothes irritated tissue, and Vulnerary means aids in healing of wounds. Oatstraw is perfect for those regardless of where you are in life. Contributing a rich and nutty flavor to the tea, the herb oatstraw is basically adding golden drops of morning dewy sunshine to your mug of NORA tea Rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron – you are sure not to be missing out. Can help combat stress and overall strengthen your nervous system (in this day an age… it’s needed) Overall is beneficial in improving circulation, also alleviates varicose veins and hemorrhoids, reduces blood pressure, improves sleep and relaxation, strengthens thyroid and balances hormone production, soothes digestive system while feeding good bacteria in the gut, lowers blood sugar and helps with fluid retention. Red Raspberry Leaf Red Raspberry Leaf is one of the most common herbs that you, and your mother have heard of this herb – but for good reason as it’s one powerful herb for women. Scientific Name: Rubus idaeus Active Ingredients: volatile oils, pectin, citric acid, malic acid, tannin, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, & zinc, Vitamin A, B, C & E. Has the highest known herbal source of manganese. Actions: Astringent, tonic, toning, pelvic and uterine relaxant. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, raspberry strengthens the uterus to make contractions more effective and prevent hemorrhage and it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. Vickie Liguori of In Due Thyme, 2006 wrote the following: “Raspberry leaves have a long tradition of use in pregnancy to strengthen and tone the tissue of the womb, assisting contractions and preventing excessive bleeding. Raspberry also tones the mucous membranes through out the body; soothe the kidneys and urinary tract, and preventing excessive bleeding after the birth…” She continues with something most important for people to read… “Currently there is some controversy surrounding the use of Raspberry leaf during pregnancy, which is unfortunate since it use has been associated with pregnancy and birth since ancient times according to their writings. The concern is early miscarriage. For this reason, I recommend using NORA tea after 16 weeks of gestation, by the obstetric calendar. I sincerely hope this controversy is settled quickly, so that women can again enjoy Raspberry’s wonderful help in dealing with the nausea of pregnancy, with out concern for their growing baby.” But as she writes in summary it’s really quite perfect to help reduce the length of labor, reduces the risk of artificial rupture of membranes, cesarean section, forceps/vaccum-assisted delivery, also known for lowering the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Alfalfa Alfalfa is the last noted in the line up and truly not one to sleep on. (Ever since I started getting into it – I truly thought of my cows and them always eating it) Scientific Name: Medicago sativa Active Ingredients: Vitamin K, iron, chlorophyll, Vitamin A, B-6, E, D, & K, beta-carotene, biotin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, fatty acids, saponins, high in copper. Actions: bitter, general tonic, alterative, diuretic Vitamin K, iron, chlorophyll, Vit A, B-6, E, D, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Folic acid, pantothenic acid, fatty acids, calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Sodium, Potassium are all the important reasons why you want to be loving on this herb This can help purify the blood, balance your blood sugar, balance intestinal flora and soothe the digestive track. It’s also known for being highly nourishing and restoring. How to Make Nora Tea (The Recipe *deep dive*) 1 part loose leaf Nettle1 part loose leaf Oatstraw1 part loose leaf Red Raspberry1 part loose leaf Alfalfa You
Are your farts screwing up your hormones?
Well, your farts might not be the only thing screwing up your hormones… There is so much to this subject that we haven’t even braced. Yes, I’m talking about your gut health. What is the connection between our gut health and our hormonal balance? Obviously, there is a very big connection, as women our entire body works hand-in-hand with everything inside (and yes, there is a focus and connection to our hormones). I’m constantly trying to learn more on how to help women, and learn what information is out there, education plays a key role in my life, and should to others as well. So today, I am going to try to break down the connection between gut health and our hormones – in plain English. In our gut we have a collection of bacterias that is capable of metabolizing and modulating the body’s circulating estrogen. So, with this bacteria in the gut is affecting our estrogen levels, this can impact our weight, libido and mood. If you’re trying to have a baby, just had a baby, or currently expecting, this can be very troublesome – especially the libido part. So our microbiome can do the following: It can regulate hormones and neurotransmitters. Has an essential role in the immune system Contributes to the REGULATION of estrogen levels in the body. Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott, does a huge in-depth explanation in her article found here. She goes on to state how each role works from gut to hormone. What I found particularly interesting is that imbalance of the gut bacteria and microbiome is VERY common. It can be affected by anything, like genetics, age, weight, diet, alcohol, antibiotics, environmental pollutants, and more. With the amount of times we are recommended antibiotics, the intake of alcohol, or even the environmental pollutants these all play key factors in our gut health (and the lack of health there is). A naturopathic and Dr. Jenna spoke in her article about leaky guts and hormone balances and mentioned that oral birth control can affect gut health as well (even worsening it). Birth control can disrupt the balance of the bacteria in your gut, and can cause nutrient deficiencies. The change in the gut bacteria can then influence your mood, mental health, and trigger inflammation in the gut, causing immune system responses. Both Dr. Jenna and Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott give some great ideas on better supporting your body to improve gut health. As I’m not a doctor or naturopathic I will just be sourcing some of their ideas as well as one that was given to me from my naturopath a couple years back. Eating Probiotic Rich Foods Eat foods rich in probiotic health, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut are usually the most recommended foods. Probiotic rich yogurt is also important – (if you watched my video I mentioned how whole dairy is important for fertility, getting a whole fat, probiotic rich yogurt… you’re using two stones to hit one bird). Vagus Nerve Stimulation There is a part of the brain that hosts this nerve. It signals our digestive organs, proper digestion, and nutrient absorption. It also can maintain the balance of our gut microbiome. Dr Jenna suggests creating a mindful eating environment (no distractions while eating), take a few deep breaths before each meal (to settle and communicate to the body it’s time to eat). Consider our Environment Estrogen can be obtained from the environment and be found around you, every day. In plants such as soya there are phytoestrogens which means foods like Tofu, Soy Milk, and Tempeh contain more estrogen. Then you have something called xenoestrogens, and these are found in fragrances, pesticides, and plastics. Xenoestrogens are absorbed by the body and stored in liver and fat cells which can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones. Supporting our body with a nutrient based diet, focusing on environmental factors, and learning ways to de-stress yourself is super important in supporting your gut health and improving it. This can lead to better hormone balance and improve your chances of conception, or maintaining our daily living as women.
What no one tells you about when having a homebirth over 30+
Two lines. Automatically you’re filled with a bunch of feelings. What if I can’t do this? Will my baby be alright because I’m over 30? Maybe, you were that person who had dreamed of giving birth since you were younger. You always hoped to have a family, and then time took over. You got a job doing something amazing (or maybe you started your own business), and it took a while to find a partner to start your family with. Now you’re pregnant but you’re older than you wanted to be. You wanted that home birth, the twinkly lights, the support of a midwife, and you’re like… welp – now what. All your dreams don’t have to be crushed. Midwives do support women over thirty with some stipulations. Most government registered midwives only support home births with a mother over thirty if they are healthy enough. They normally coin this term… low risk. This would be that you’d have to be at a certain BMI range, no pregnancy complications (like gestational diabetes), and no fetal issues. So you’re low risk then you’re golden you can get yourself a registered midwife in your area to assist your birth. Now let’s hypothetically say you weren’t low risk and say you had GBS or gestational diabetes. Now the midwife might assign your care to the hospital. If this is the case you’ll have to determine if it’s worth finding a midwife that can support you, or going unassisted. (There is the option of hospital birth, and with a doula and a partner that is on your team and will help stand up for you… this might be a very viable option still). There is the option of a traditional midwife – this is someone that can be tricky to find, since they won’t be working in their governments order you might have to do some searching, connect with doulas in the area who may know of someone. They have less rules, and go based on your overall health and belief that you are able to have a homebirth. Or unassisted. Now freebirth can be considered a very taboo subject. Some doulas are trained and told not to attend an unassisted birth. I’m a firm believer that you are entitled to your choice. As a doula I was trained to not be biased and support your choice of birth you want. If freebirth is an option for you – the LARGEST part that might scare new parents such as yourself, is the what if’s. In freebirth planning, studying is a big part of your care now. There are courses such as this one (that I highly recommend) that will give you a lot of the information you need. But don’t stop there, take a moment and continue your research by reading books, some midwifery books like this Heart and Hands, I find has an in-depth knowledge that you would know some of the in’s and out’s of labor. With unassisted birth you’ll want to make sure both you and your partner have a plan in place, that there might be something you can’t handle and that you will need to transfer to hospital for a true emergency. Recognizing those signs with a detailed plan can be helpful for all present at your birth. Regardless of how you choose to birth, support is the number one key. Even with a homebirth. If that means mom, and your sister can be there too, perfect. Labor can be long, and the more hands to hold you up can make it just a little bit easier.
5 Things All Dads Need to Know During Pregnancy
5 Things to Note During Pregnancy || Dad Edition || I see you dad-to-be! This is a new experience for you both, and you’re going through things that you may not even quite understand. Don’t worry, although there are a lot of big things happening you are making a difference just by trying to learn how you can better help your partner. I believe that you need just as much support as the mother. Obviously, these are just a few things to help you get through the next nine months. Using these tips can help you make the pregnancy go through with a bit more ease. Did you know having sex won’t harm the baby? To this day it’s quite a common question that men still have today. It is also the punchline to a few jokes on TV.NCT took a much more in-depth look into the protection your baby gets and answers quite a few common questions around having sex when your partner is expecting. Just know that it’s completely safe, and everything will be fine. Just trust your partner and go with the flow. PRO TIP – In the first couple months the sex drive might be quite low, but by the second trimester that picks up. You probably don’t want to criticize her appearance! This might seem like common knowledge, but at times a joke that would have made her giggle, or have her understanding you’re just teasing, now might come off as a bear poking a hornet’s nest. Her body is changing a lot so it’s likely she is feeling insecure. This is the time to lift her up instead of tear her down. Whoops – what was I doing? Pregnancy brain is real. I’m not kidding, you would think that since she has two brains inside her right now that wouldn’t be the case. She will lose things or forget things, and you might be hearing the story about aunt Joan quite a few times. It might go away after birth or there are chances it can continue. There is another edition called mom brain. (Fun fact brain fog occurs during postpartum and even in menopause.) Her hormones are going through a lot of big changes Seeing the fact that your partner is growing another human body, hormones are shifting and changing its layout. You’ll see them being more hormonal than usual. Quick to sadness, or a temper that they never had. Lots of changes – not just on the outside but on the inside too. Did you know you can fill your schedule up with prenatals? Having prenatal visits with a doctor, the doula, midwife, and so forth are common. We want you there. The prenatals I have with dad present are so special. Don’t be shy and join them, of course I know work calls – but you don’t want to miss out unless you really have to. Those are just five things you should know when it comes to pregnancy and how you can be there for her. What are things you feel you need more understanding with, feel free to contact me and I can always try to help answer your questions too.
6 Positions to Push Baby Out
Time to push: Finding Birthing Positions That Work Best for You Birth is a very intimate time, and even more so when pushing. As seen on TV the common way is laying on your back, legs in the air on stirrups with your vagina on display for everyone to see. The doctors need a clear view to see the baby coming. Now go watch some home birth videos and come back to me. Baby can be brought into the world in quite a few different positions and you don’t need to do it the same way as you saw on TV. Plus if you learn the history, we’re being taught that it was because King Louis had a fetish for watching women give birth. So what are the six positions to push a baby out? Well to quote one of my friends Aja Vu – it’s probably one of the ways you got a baby in! Position 1: Side Lying In this position it can better allow you to rest between contractions, a partial squat that allows the pelvis to widen, and is excellent for pushing in. Position 2: Supported Wide-Forward Squat You may find this is optimal for you to deliver your baby because it opens the pelvis in this squatting position, and can be done with a partner or by using a chair. It also allows your belly to rest and settle between your knees. Position 3: Hands and Knees Hands and Knees is slowly becoming more common to give birth, giving you the chance to open the pelvis all while To give your arms a break, lower your shoulders to the bed or floor mat and place your head on a pillow. Position 4: Standing Opening your legs wide, and pulling on something from the ceiling or holding onto something is another option for pushing the baby out. I remember an old bible movie I watched and they stood while holding on a rope to push, allowing gravity to take control. Position 5: Supported Semi Sitting Let your partner be more available by sitting behind you, and grab a hold of those legs, all while widening your pelvis. This position also allows gravity to come into play when the baby comes into the world. Position 6: Using a Birth Stool/ Cub/ Squat Any of these options allow you to rest while putting your full force into pushing, and can give you something for guidance while holding on to something. Out of all these options, which one are you the most willing to try, or have tried with a previous birth? Never heard of any of this and you’re due soon? Time to get yourself a doula… I offer virtual and in-person services.
3 Reasons Why You Need a Fertility Doula
I can’t guarantee you get pregnant. Just like a medical professional, midwife, herbalist, acupuncturist et cetera can’t. I am biased when I say that doulas are the pillar of support and it’s something our local communities need more of. I live in rural Saskatchewan, in a town called Englefeld. I travel around SE Saskatchewan, going to places like Prince Albert, Humboldt, Melfort, and something I see a lack of is support. There are other doulas in my area and we’re all trying to teach and support people, our skills are diverse. There is a lack of information surrounding fertility doulas and how we are going to be able to support you in your fertility journey. So here are three reasons why you need a fertility doula, especially if you’ve been trying for more than six months. What is a fertility doula? A fertility doula is someone who gives you emotional, physical, and educational support. Contrary to popular belief, we are meant for more than just IVF/IUI support, and we are more than those who are wanting to conceive naturally. I can support you with family planning, menstrual cycles, fertility complications, herbal suggestions, charting support, tracking your fertility signs, attending your fertility consultations and appointments, and in-home care post-transfer. Conception can be hard. The truth is the numbers don’t lie… 1 in 6 worldwide between the ages of 15 and 49 are struggling with infertility or have in their lifetime. Almost 1 in 10 of women use medical assistance to become pregnant. During what is regularly such an intimate and private event becomes a very medicated experience – don’t feel shame, it’s becoming more and more the norm and regardless how you conceive its a miracle none the same. While all this is going on your relationship can have its struggles, and the journey to having a baby becomes two to suddenly five people as you involve doctors, therapists, and specialists. With a fertility doula by your side you will have someone who is rooting for you, who is in your corner. I have been a sounding board for both sides of the relationship. I have been there through another negative pregnancy test. Having someone there for you who is specialized and educated to help you through the ups and downs is someone you’d want in your corner. Emotional Support During Conception Can Improve Postpartum Outcomes Did you know that women who struggle with fertility are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression? Of course, we are never able to guarantee outcomes or promises to our clients. Our support is more of that emotional side for when things get tough. When you want to have a baby so badly, the struggle along with any additional guilt and shame can hit like a ton of bricks. It can compound and those feelings can come out during your fourth trimester. The world today doesn’t give us that sense of community and family type bond we need. Relationships with parents are strained more than they ever have been. Friendships can be flaky, and at times we rarely tell them if we’re struggling with something such as this personal struggle. Surrounding infertility or struggles conceiving a child, oftentimes parents to be, feel a sense of shame and guilt. Why is my body not working like everyone else? Even hearing it from someone who comes from a place of love and compassion, reminding you it’s not your fault can aid the process. You learn all the options I can’t tell you how often when people are struggling to conceive they don’t actually know there isn’t just one option – that option is often listed as hiring a doctor and getting either IUI or IVF done. When really I hold a goldmine of resources that can benefit different types of families who are trying to conceive. My goal and job lately has been trying to build relationships with other care providers in the healthcare field for women. People like nutritionists, herbalists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, fertility yoga instructors, energy healers, and so much more. I’ve read the books, I’m aware of the resources available to you and how to connect you with anything you might want. Reach out and you will see that support can provide you a lot of benefits. BONUS – Conceiving might actually not take that long… Now of course there is no factual information to this, but when I was studying to become a doula and learned what a fertility doula was, I had read an article on why we should offer you support, and in there they mentioned that her families have claimed that it can shorten your support window. Giving her even credit to her support during their time. Hopefully one day there will be a study done to give insight into this, that doulas are used and are benefiting people to help them. If you’re going through the fertility journey alone and decide that support might be for you, I am currently accepting clients. Even if you don’t get support from me, find someone, and lean on them. This can be a trying journey if you don’t have the proper people to support you.
Your age shouldn’t stop you from having a baby
Don’t let your age stop you from having a baby! I said what I said. Advanced maternal age isn’t what it used to be. It’s not the dirty thing, it’s actually a very popular theme with working women, we’ve seen an increase in mothers over 35+. My background My mother was 36 when she had me. Even back in 2000, they considered her a geriatric mother. That term is so offensive in my opinion. There is nothing wrong with having a child over 35. But to continue my story, my mother continued to have five more pregnancies after me. One resulted in a miscarriage (the usual 1 in 4 statistic) and then her final child was born at the age of 42. Having older parents never really bothered me, the only time I suffered any type of problem was when other people would make a comment – asking if I was having fun with grandma… inserts rolling eye emoji The facts Advanced Maternal age is still discussed as a serious problem but over the past four decades there has been a dramatic increase of pregnancy over the age of 35. Rebecca Dekker has a PhD and is an RN. She has a wonderful handout to answer some serious questions in regard to advanced maternal age. According to ACOG – Older women are more likely to miscarry or have a stillbirth. They have a greater chance of developing gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and of delivering a baby who is very small. Then there can be problems with labor, resulting in a higher chance of cesarean birth. And while pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of developing blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), this risk is higher for older moms. It’s important to understand, however, that age-related concerns rise gradually, not all at once at age 35. This was made by Rebecca Dekker. The downfalls The biggest problem that advanced maternal age comes down to is the struggle to conceive naturally. I’ve worked with multiple clients as birth support where age was one of the biggest issues with conception.(It’s why having a fertility doula on your side can be beneficial to support you through the ups and downs of trying to conceive) There is a decline in eggs as well as a higher risk in miscarriage. There is also a higher risk of pregnancy complications such as down syndrome, higher risk of stillbirth, preeclampsia, among others. The wrap up… Don’t let this discourage you from having a child ( or hell even children). Your body was designed to have children, even if it’s a bit harder you can do this. If this is something you want, find a supportive team that is in your court! They want to see you succeed and want to make your dreams come true. Having a baby is a blessing regardless of your age. This I do know. Of course, there will always be naysayers. Trust yourself.
Hypnobirthing Basics for First Time Parents
If you’re looking to have a natural birth. Regardless at home or in the hospital practicing the art of hypnobirthing might be something you’d want to consider. When I discuss this as an option with the families that I work with, my very first question that I’m always asked is what the hell is that? So in this blog, I’m going to take a deep dive into what hypnobirthing is and how it can assist you. What does hypnobirthing mean? hyp·no·birth·ing/ˈhipnōˌbərTHiNG/ nouna method of managing pain and anxiety during childbirth, involving various therapeutic relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and visualization.”the hypnobirthing worked all through my labor” How can hypnobirthing help you? Hypnobirthing teaches you the physiology of birth, how your body is designed to grow and birth a baby comfortably and efficiently. It also teaches you how your mind triggers the production of certain hormones during pregnancy, labor and birth, which can either disrupt the natural flow of your physiology or help it work more efficiently. This teaches you how to stay calm during pregnancy. One of the biggest problems we sit with in our generation is that we don’t know what birth truly is. In a non-biased way birth has become a very medical event. It’s something in my business that I’ve been trying to bring awareness to. Because… Hypnobirthing brings back birth to its primal basics and it teaches you how capable the system you already have in place really is. Now when I talk about hypnobirthing I’m always met with much confusion. I remember the first time I brought it up with my mom… she had me back in the year 2000, she was in her late 30s when she had me. So every time I talk about something she’s always fascinated by how new she thinks it is when I try to explain that it was there before me. When I first told her about it she automatically thought it was about hypnotism and she thought that if I became a coach I would end up hypnotizing people during labor. At least that’s my understanding of how that conversation went. But in all reality it’s through the use of positive affirmations and a sound understanding of the process that you’ll learn how important hypnobirthing can be. It enables you to clear any negative messages you have surrounding birth. Is hypnobirthing right for you? Maybe at first glance you can’t even think of one negative thing around birth but your subconscious mind holds many things and with hypnobirthing it can reprogram your beliefs to create a calmness and confidence about the experience. Rather than gearing yourself up for trauma and disaster you are inadvertently taught to expect you will become excited and well equipped for an empowering and enjoyable experience. Often when I ask new families what they fear about birth I’m often met with similar statements. (Having a doula can sometimes help you work through these fears.) It’s going to hurt a lot… Something could happen to me… Something could happen to my baby… I’m going to have a C-section and I really don’t want one… With hypnobirthing you’re going to gain wisdom and confidence that’s going to carry you into parenthood. It isn’t a new way of birthing. It requires no leap of faith and it allows birth to happen in a closer alignment to the natural maternal and mammalian instincts. So that’s what it truly means when you decide you’re going to study hypnobirthing. There are many books located in our library and even more online. You can even find courses and hypnobirthing teachers. But truly my highest recommendation is if you aren’t ready to implement an actionable step into this birth…then hypnobirthing might not be right for you.
3 Reasons Menopause is a Silent Passage
3 Reasons Menopause is a Silent Passage My local library has so many resources. One of them being a book by Gail Sheehy called “The Silent Passage – Menopause“ This blog is heavily inspired by her and I will be quoting this book a lot in this blog. But there are so many good reasons that menopause is exactly as she wrote it… a silent passage. Doctors don’t know enough about menopause… This book was written in 1992 and so I do believe we are getting more advanced with our studies. With the Internet and menopause coaches like myself, education around Menopause is growing. But something that I agree fully with Gail is, “And that means women must become informed, active consumers of good health care.” This is something I promote no matter what service I offer. Asking the right questions, and really get a feeling and understanding of what your body is trying to tell you. I remind you that you’re the only one who has lived within your skin. You are the only one who can understand you. She goes on to tell many stories of doctors that don’t hear women as they complain of ailments that clearly are signs of menopause. When I speak to women today, doctors aren’t listening. “You have anxiety, take these pills come back soon if you have any issues.” Now I write my knowledge from what I see here in Canada and health care might be different in different countries. But I think this is a good reminder that when you reach a certain age, don’t be afraid to ask for hormone level tests and if they ask why you tell them your reasoning and remind them you’re hiring them. The natural defense to menopause… One of the greatest weapons of defense is denial. The biggest thing we can say is there is nothing wrong, nothing is different and so on. Of course natural remedies even then were discussed and used like we recommend or suggest today. Dong Quai is one of the herbs mentioned in this book among others like Siberian ginseng, and primrose oil. Even recommending acupuncture for hot flash relief. But took me back was the following quote; “Therefore it is one of the utmost importance for any woman over forty five faced with high stress professional or personal demands to commit herself to some restorative relaxation measure.” Even back in ‘91 professionals were reminding women how important self care and stress relief was. And we think this is all so modern and woo… when in reality, it’s not. This is your reminder now to find something to restore your relaxation through whatever means it might be for you. Dancing around depression… I remind you that I’m only 23, turning 24 this summer, and sometimes I’m dated and my age shows when you read my work. Especially this when I talk of a book that came out nine years before my birth. I’ve grown up learning to make things less taboo and one of them being how we discuss and talk about certain aspects of women’s health and that includes menopause. I’m raised believing that depression was a more personal subject back then. Correct me if I am wrong… I will surely edit my work. The author carries women by discussing the dance around Menopause. She goes on to say; “Neurobiologically estrogen has chemical effects on the brain similar to those of antidepressants. The most experienced researchers say that when estrogen levels in the blood are very low, a woman might start to feel a bit sad or blue or notice irritability or mood swings, but not of a clinical magnitude.” But this can explain a lot for many women who mention feeling sad around this time in their life. Something I specifically work on is making sure women feel less sad about this time and see the positive things. But as I learn and grow I know that it’s not always a mental thing, it comes down to what the body is going through.
How to Navigate Perimenopause Using Holistic Measures
I remember the day I learned the difference between perimenopause and menopause, I was so shocked to learn that the symptoms we always hear about are actually perimenopause and that menopause is actually when it’s all over (a year after your last period to be exact). Perimenopause is the menopause we always talk about. Like hot flashes, chills, night sweats, and other familiar ones. What do doctors say you can do? Here we can do hormonal treatments to relieve symptoms but nothing to support you through this time. The holistic approach always has a few ideas up their sleeves to give you what you’re looking for. So now that you know what menopause is actually called, let’s talk about how you can navigate through perimenopause using holistic measures. Hormones With perimenopause, your hormones are slowly being less and less produced and that can make your body confused. One of the most commonly mentioned solutions with medical care providers is having hormone replacement therapy. As the primary “female” hormone, estrogen promotes the growth and health of the female reproductive organs and keeps the vagina moisturized, elastic (stretchy), and well supplied with blood. Estrogen levels generally decline during perimenopause, but they do so in an irregular fashion. In addition to estrogen, levels of other hormones produced by the ovaries—progesterone (another female hormone) and testosterone (a male androgen hormone produced at lower levels in women)—are also changing during your midlife years… NAMS Holistic Herbs There are a few that are recommended for menopause. Always a top contender and one I mention is Vitex. Another is Black Cohosh, Black Cumin, Fennel, and Lemon Ball to name a few more. I always say that I’m not a studied herbalist, or a medical care provider. Everything I state here is for you to learn more and come to an awareness of your own body. The Brain With the change of hormones and the age period where menopause can happen there are quite a few contending factors about the brain you need to be aware of. You might notice yourself having more brain fog as you go through these changes as well. Sleep Ah, don’t we just hate how sleep can be so difficult once menopause hits? You can thank a few things for your newfound insomnia but the one thing most women include are the night sweats and what they do to you. Here are a few things you can do: Do Nothing, and that means all responsibility for a day so you can sleep anytime your body craves it. Create a Bedtime routine Keep a Journal Lavender Oatstraw and Nettle to aid your sleep Sex Although age may be a contender and you might not be having any more children sex is still on the table. Firstly, even though your period is slowing down, you can still get pregnant. So if you’re like I don’t want anymore (and you haven’t done any operations to make that not happen) take precautions. Now onto the fun bits… you may have heard about how sex can become uncomfortable and even painful and you’ve dreaded the day of menopause diagnosis from the beginning. It doesn’t have to be! Hormones play into this as well (obviously) and one of the biggest things like with dryness. Use lubes or coconut oil when having fun. (Which you can make an erotic act as well). You’ll want to focus more on clitoral stimulation, as that will give you the most pleasure. So now that we’ve covered a few ways you can navigate through menopause holistically, remember that support is also a key factor. I offer coaching, and consider myself a menopause doula. You need to feel good about this and not like it’s the end of the world. Communicate with your partner, family, or friends about how you feeling and what you need from them.
