St John's Wort and Pregnancy???? Please Advise!!

[Guest guest]

I am 35 weeks pregnant and was told by my therapist (who I've been

seeing since mid July) that he thought I would benefit from a low

dose of antidepressant. That unnerved me and I've been pondering what

alternatives to take. I have had problems with progesterone so I

thought that might also be one of my problems.

 

My symptoms are anxiety and pretty several exhaustion. I talked to a

friend of mine who suggested I go to one of the herbal shops in the

area where they do muscle testing and the woman there is pretty good.

I had been there before and felt good about this woman, so I headed

out there this morning. She went through the progesterone creams and

came up with the response that I don't need that, it is indeed the

depression that is making me so tired and she recommended a

supplement that contains St John's Wort, multiple B vitamins and some

amino acids. It is a trusted brand as well. She looked up St John's

Wort's precautions and did not find it on the list of things not to

use during pregnancy.

 

I have been poking around on the web and have found that it is not

advised to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and now I am

concerned. Does anyone here have experience with the use of St John's

Wort during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Does it make sense to use

prescription drugs since they have been more extensively studied with

pregnancy and breastfeeding? If it were just me and my body I would

feel more secure about it, but I am dealing with a growing baby and

want to make the right choice. I am going to have to go one of these

routes because the fatigue is just too overwhelming with me working

part time and taking care of a 5 year old as well.

 

Any suggestions and/or input would be appreciated.

 

happygirl

[Guest guest]

From what I have gathered, it is used " with caution " during pregnancy. You

would not want to take it when you are close to delivery because it may

cause bleeding problems. It will pass through the breast milk, and there

is some evidence that babies will become more lethargic and sleepy when

their mothers are using St. John's Wort. If you really need the herb,

however, you must balance the possible effects of the drug to the baby

versus the possible effects of your depression and exhaustion on the baby.

It is a personal choice. I would feel safer with St John's Wort versus any

prescription pharmaceutical. It has been extensively studied (and

prescribed) in Europe. I would try to take the lowest dose that you can,

and buy a reputable brand (to be sure of dosing).

 

I take St John's Wort when life gets rough, and it really helps my sleep.

 

Mary

 

--

Mary Alford

 

Mary Alford, LLC (Green Building, Energy Star Consultations)

 

www.chemohairapy.com

Useful Gifts for Cancer Patients!

 

 

On 8/24/07, Happy <happylittlemom wrote:

>

> I am 35 weeks pregnant and was told by my therapist (who I've been

> seeing since mid July) that he thought I would benefit from a low

> dose of antidepressant. That unnerved me and I've been pondering what

> alternatives to take. I have had problems with progesterone so I

> thought that might also be one of my problems.

>

> My symptoms are anxiety and pretty several exhaustion. I talked to a

> friend of mine who suggested I go to one of the herbal shops in the

> area where they do muscle testing and the woman there is pretty good.

> I had been there before and felt good about this woman, so I headed

> out there this morning. She went through the progesterone creams and

> came up with the response that I don't need that, it is indeed the

> depression that is making me so tired and she recommended a

> supplement that contains St John's Wort, multiple B vitamins and some

> amino acids. It is a trusted brand as well. She looked up St John's

> Wort's precautions and did not find it on the list of things not to

> use during pregnancy.

>

> I have been poking around on the web and have found that it is not

> advised to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and now I am

> concerned. Does anyone here have experience with the use of St John's

> Wort during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Does it make sense to use

> prescription drugs since they have been more extensively studied with

> pregnancy and breastfeeding? If it were just me and my body I would

> feel more secure about it, but I am dealing with a growing baby and

> want to make the right choice. I am going to have to go one of these

> routes because the fatigue is just too overwhelming with me working

> part time and taking care of a 5 year old as well.

>

> Any suggestions and/or input would be appreciated.

>

> happygirl

>

>

>

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

It's best to not use anything for depression while

pregnant. There simply is not enough information out

there for either natural or allopathic to know if its

safe. Allopathic that was once thought safe is now

under scrutiny and lawsuits are on the rise.

 

Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids will

help to make a difference. Meditation and just getting

out in the sun and walking will also help with stress

levels that can be causing depression.

 

 

Restless or poor sleep will often contribute to

exhaustion and depression. Reduce any type of

stimulant such as sugar and caffiene will help reduce

restless sleep. Sleeping with a pillow between your

legs or at the small of your back will help with

discomfort that often causes sleep issues. An old

remedy that still works to help with sleep is warm

milk. The warm milk produces a natural chemical that

promotes sleep. Avoid eating anything 3 hours before

bedtime. Try getting to bed at the same time every

night and getting up at the same time.

 

Progesterone is usually its highest while pregnant.

 

While Biofeedback would be very beneficial, most

practitioners will not do therapies with you while

you're pregnant. We're cautioned not to, even though

it is safe and noninvasive. I would recommend seeing

one after your baby is born.

 

Best of Wishes

Jenny Kernan

Quantum Biofeedback Therapist

 

 

 

--- Happy <happylittlemom wrote:

 

> I am 35 weeks pregnant and was told by my therapist

> (who I've been

> seeing since mid July) that he thought I would

> benefit from a low

> dose of antidepressant. That unnerved me and I've

> been pondering what

> alternatives to take. I have had problems with

> progesterone so I

> thought that might also be one of my problems.

>

> My symptoms are anxiety and pretty several

> exhaustion. I talked to a

> friend of mine who suggested I go to one of the

> herbal shops in the

> area where they do muscle testing and the woman

> there is pretty good.

> I had been there before and felt good about this

> woman, so I headed

> out there this morning. She went through the

> progesterone creams and

> came up with the response that I don't need that, it

> is indeed the

> depression that is making me so tired and she

> recommended a

> supplement that contains St John's Wort, multiple B

> vitamins and some

> amino acids. It is a trusted brand as well. She

> looked up St John's

> Wort's precautions and did not find it on the list

> of things not to

> use during pregnancy.

>

> I have been poking around on the web and have found

> that it is not

> advised to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

> and now I am

> concerned. Does anyone here have experience with the

> use of St John's

> Wort during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Does it

> make sense to use

> prescription drugs since they have been more

> extensively studied with

> pregnancy and breastfeeding? If it were just me and

> my body I would

> feel more secure about it, but I am dealing with a

> growing baby and

> want to make the right choice. I am going to have to

> go one of these

> routes because the fatigue is just too overwhelming

> with me working

> part time and taking care of a 5 year old as well.

>

> Any suggestions and/or input would be appreciated.

>

> happygirl

>

>

[Guest guest]

are you taking any iron or folic acid?

 

these will help alot.

 

 

 

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at

http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Good Morning Happy Girl,

 

Please don't take the prescriptions! I took paxil and ambian during

my last pregnancy and was assured it was safe even after I expressed

concern for my baby. My daughter was definately affected (ADHD,

AUTISM, SENSORY INTEGRATION, SEVERE COLIC, BREATHING PROBLEMS) and

she is 1 of the lucky ones. Some children are born with more severe

defects that are not linked to the drug until well after. I

understand your feelings as I have dealt with anxiety and depression

for almost my entire life and I KNOW you need some relief. However,

if you can wait until after your child is born to take anything

internally, I would suggest waiting. You may want to increase your

exposure to natural sunlight (vit D) and be sure you are getting

proper nutrition including enough Omega 3. Meditation is a great way

to center yourself and push through a bad episode. Using lavender

oil to calm yourself is a safe alternative I would say because you

don't take it internally. Pregnancey depression is common...your

hormones are out of whack girl. Its okay....eat some dark chocolate

to boost your mood, pregnancy yoga, prenatal massage, play some calm

music on some headphones for yourself and then put the headphones on

your belly to calm your baby....they feel your depression and

anxiety. You may want to read " The Secret " as it will help you in so

many ways but for you I know that it would help you reset your mind

on the positive. Don't feel bad about being tired....ur growing

people in there.....you need the sleep. Take care of YOU and get

through....your almost done.

 

Wishing you a happy and healthy birth and child.

 

Energy is Key,

 

Chance

 

, " Happy "

<happylittlemom wrote:

>

> I am 35 weeks pregnant and was told by my therapist (who I've been

> seeing since mid July) that he thought I would benefit from a low

> dose of antidepressant. That unnerved me and I've been pondering

what

> alternatives to take. I have had problems with progesterone so I

> thought that might also be one of my problems.

>

> My symptoms are anxiety and pretty several exhaustion. I talked to

a

> friend of mine who suggested I go to one of the herbal shops in the

> area where they do muscle testing and the woman there is pretty

good.

> I had been there before and felt good about this woman, so I headed

> out there this morning. She went through the progesterone creams

and

> came up with the response that I don't need that, it is indeed the

> depression that is making me so tired and she recommended a

> supplement that contains St John's Wort, multiple B vitamins and

some

> amino acids. It is a trusted brand as well. She looked up St John's

> Wort's precautions and did not find it on the list of things not to

> use during pregnancy.

>

> I have been poking around on the web and have found that it is not

> advised to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and now I am

> concerned. Does anyone here have experience with the use of St

John's

> Wort during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Does it make sense to use

> prescription drugs since they have been more extensively studied

with

> pregnancy and breastfeeding? If it were just me and my body I would

> feel more secure about it, but I am dealing with a growing baby and

> want to make the right choice. I am going to have to go one of

these

> routes because the fatigue is just too overwhelming with me working

> part time and taking care of a 5 year old as well.

>

> Any suggestions and/or input would be appreciated.

>

> happygirl

>

[Guest guest]

Some good books on the subject of pregnancy and herbs that are usefull are:

 

4.

<http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Guide-Pregnancy-Postpartum-Health/dp/1583331387/r\

ef=sr_1_4/102-6624582-1980147?ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1188136859 & sr=1-4>

A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum

Health<http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Guide-Pregnancy-Postpartum-Health/dp/158333\

1387/ref=sr_1_4/102-6624582-1980147?ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1188136859 & sr=1-4> by

Dean Raffelock, Robert Rountree, Virginia Hopkins, and Melissa Block (Paperback

- Dec 31, 2001)

 

 

 

 

 

5.

<http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Pregnancy-Handbook-Obstetricians-Conventional/dp/15\

92401112/ref=sr_1_5/102-6624582-1980147?ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1188136859 & sr=1-5>

The Whole Pregnancy Handbook: An Obstetrician's Guide to

Integrating Conventional and Alternative Medicine Before, During, and After

Pregnancy<http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Pregnancy-Handbook-Obstetricians-Conventio\

nal/dp/1592401112/ref=sr_1_5/102-6624582-1980147?ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1188136859 & \

sr=1-5> by Joel Evans and Robin Aronson (Paperback - April 21, 2005)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

OK, let me get this straight... you're almost 9 months

pregnant, are working part-time and are caring for a

5-year-old all at the same time. And you're wondering

why you are exhausted? Any normal human being would be

tired in your situation.

 

My suggestion is to get more help around the house so

you are not so wiped out. People should be caring for

you right now as much as possible. Do you have a

husband or other family members who can lend a hand?

On the health front, homeopathy can be very useful in

pregnancy and can make delivery more comfortable as

well. If possible, try to see a homeopath if there is

one in your area. Definitely stay away from

prescription drugs if possible, as their side effects

can be horrific.

 

Good luck with your new arrival, and let us know how

you are doing!

 

Laurel

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I'm just a mom (3 grown sons), but I think I would just try the B

vitamins and amino acids; skip the SJW now and while breastfeeding. I

believe the combination of magnesium and calcium help with depression;

you might google that to see what you find. Also omega 3 may help.

 

Quick thoughts,

 

Chris in NC

 

>

> My symptoms are anxiety and pretty several exhaustion. I talked to

she recommended a

> supplement that contains St John's Wort, multiple B vitamins and

some

> amino acids. It is a trusted brand as well. She looked up St John's

> Wort's precautions and did not find it on the list of things not to

> use during pregnancy.

>

[Guest guest]

Good suggestions. Omega 3 is extremely helpful for depression and

anxiety. B's are great, but keep B6 to 100 mg max.

 

I had my only child at almost 40 and thrived on blue green algae. Pure

protein, it helped keep my appetite at bay, my blood sugar (and moods)

balanced, eased morning sickness and gave me great energy.

 

Michelle

 

I think I would just try the B vitamins and amino acids; skip the SJW

now and while breastfeeding. I believe the combination of magnesium and

calcium help with depression; you might google that to see what you

find. Also omega 3 may help.

[Guest guest]

I agree. When I am anxious I reach for a can of tuna or Evening Primrose Oil. I

don't know about using the oil during pregnancy but afterwards it will restore

your hormones to natural balance quickly and safely without any side effects

even while breastfeeding(my experience). Hope this helps. Alison

 

Michelle <michelle wrote: Good suggestions.

Omega 3 is extremely helpful for depression and

anxiety. B's are great, but keep B6 to 100 mg max.

 

I had my only child at almost 40 and thrived on blue green algae. Pure

protein, it helped keep my appetite at bay, my blood sugar (and moods)

balanced, eased morning sickness and gave me great energy.

 

Michelle

 

I think I would just try the B vitamins and amino acids; skip the SJW

now and while breastfeeding. I believe the combination of magnesium and

calcium help with depression; you might google that to see what you

find. Also omega 3 may help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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