Pregnant with Bad Allergies

Do you have animals? I noticed that when we had two indoor cats my allergies were pretty bad. A great way to combat that problem was washing them once every month or so, the problem was MUCH better for me. When you are feeling up to it, and hopefully with some help, you should look around for places that dust collects, like ceiling fan blades, wipe them down regularly (I love swiffer dry cloths the best), if you have blinds they get very dusty too. Electronics are wonderful for collecting dust, tv screens, computer monitors, dvd players, all around that stuff, change your heater/ac filter AT LEAST every three months, that can work wonders as well. Also check that intake vent on the outside for dust, that gets dirty quickly.
You should buy zip covers for your bed pillows that prevent allergies, and perhaps a mattress zip cover to keep dust mites out. I know that febreeze makes an anti allergen spray for furniture and things, but I don't know how well it works. Hope your allergies get better!!

One last tip, some people do not realize how horribly allergic they are to birds. I had two pet birds that I had to find a home for once I realized that they made me sneeze like crazy. Life was so much better after that! (If you have birds, maybe they should go.)

Whole Foods or any good health food store will have a range of homeopathic remedies. When taken correctly they can work wonders with no side effects - much better for you and the babe.

I used a Neti pot! I worked for me. Google the name and a few sites will come up.

I know this will help I have REALLY BAD allergies!

Get a nettie pot from your local drug store. You can do a search online as well so you can see what it looks like and how it works. It is means of rinsing your nasal passages with warm salt water. It makes a pretty good difference. I would go easy on meds while pregnant.

Good Luck

PamA

Hi T., what kind of allergies? Seasonal? Food? Animals? Hormonal? What are you FEEDING your body to help your body fight off what is going on inside? Nutrition is the key to 99.9% of what is going on with us. Allergies stem from an inbalance in the body.

What HEALTH steps are you taking to CURE or rid your body of allergies? Drugs just supress the symtoms, they do nothing to cure the underlying cause. TREAT THE CAUSE not the symptoms.

I would love to have you a conversation with you about simple things you can look at. I may be able to help. BTW -I used to have many sensitivities up until 3 years ago. I decided to take control of my health. Perhaps my story will help you.

B.
Family Wellness Coach

The most important thing is to start using a Neti Pot. It literally can change your life. I saw a note about local honey. Actually what you want to take is local bee pollen. This also works wonders. The neti pot cleans out the sinus passages, getting rid of the allergens. Allergies are just a weakness in the immune system. The bee pollen is one of the best ways to boost the bodies immune system's response to allergies. Pound it down for a solid month and you will see results. It can be found in some farmer's markets and Whole Foods carries it. It is granular. You can add it to plain yoghurt, juice, smoothie or just eat it. If you can't get local get what you can find. It is a food so you don't need to worry about any adverse affects on you or the baby. Royal jelly and propolis are also byproducts of the bee hive activity. THese are also very good in boosting your immune system. You can purchase these items on line as well. Stay away from sugar. Nothing brings your immune system down faster. Don't fall for sugar free products. Aspartame is even worse. It is, quite literally, poison.

Hey T.,
I have pretty severe allergies (dust 1 and 2, pollen, mold and cats). I was on Claritin D 24 2x a day and was also on a nasal steroid. I was referred to a NAET doctor who eliminates allergies using a series of pressure points and allergen avoidance for 25 hours. It sounds odd I know, but it works. I am completely free of allergies and no longer require any medications.
If you are in the south orange county area Dr. Jing Li is able to do this along with accupuncture. She is also an MD and takes many insurances.

Hi T..

Allergies suck. They're even harder to deal with during pregnancy. You also have to consider Rhinitis during pregnancy (link below) that may be making things even worse.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_stuffy-nose-during-pregnancy_...

I've been using the Neti Pot every 2-4 hours and it really helps with pressure headaches due to congestion and it also cleans your nasal passage. It feels a little weird at first but it works...and what's better is that it is totally safe for you and the baby.

HTH!
J.

i have heard that eating LOCAL honey can help reduce severity of seasonal alergies.
I also started reading into the NAET, definitely look that up and read about it on the web - it might be worth looking into.

Homeopathy. not by MD, OD, ND or chiro. Professional homeopath (better with CCH qualifications) who would have no other modalities in practice.
Good Luck
V.

Hi T. - Try Juice Plus fruit and vegetable capsules. www.WeThriveonJuicePlus.com. My clients typically see great results because of the anti-inflammatory properties in produce, it's proven to improve your immune function, and at a minimum they typically get less colds which keeps the asthma and allergies at bay. There's a short recorded call on 800-942-1260 (option 2, 2) you can listen to that will explain. Juice Plus will also increase your odds of a healthy baby. It's the nutrients of 17 of the most nutritionally rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains. See below the results of a study where participants took Juice Plus who had drastically reduced pregnancy complications. See more research results and doctor recommendations at my website at http://www.WeThriveonJuicePlus.com. Feel free to call me if you have any questions or would like to order ###-###-####. Juice Plus has all the green leafy vegetables to provide you the folic acid you need along with a wide variety of other naturally occuring nutrition to prepare you and help sustain your pregnancy. Juice Plus is an easy, more natural way to do that. Thousands more nutrients in their natural combination from whole food, not isolated vitamins. I hope you feel better soon and enjoy a happy, healthy pregnancy!

PRENATALS --- Prenatals + Juice Plus+
Preterm (< or = 32 wks.) 35 (20%) --- NONE

Preeclampsia 38 (21%) --- NONE

Spontaneous Labor 16 (9%) --- NONE

PROM 6 (3%) --- NONE
NICU Admission 17 (10%) --- NONE

Respiratory Distress 13 (8%) --- NONE

Ave. Birth Weight 3280 grams --- 3507 grams (+227)

Gestational age 38.2 weeks --- 39.3 (+1.1 week)

Hi T.,

Those over-the-counter allergy meds are really hard on your liver when you take them long-term...some studies suggest they could contribute to various forms of cancer over time. The homeopathic approach (with a qualified practitioner) is great. You might also explore any natural practitioner (usually an acupuncturist, sometimes a chiropractor) who has been trained in NAET. Best of luck...but please find an alternative to the OTC meds!

S. Ihrig, L.Ac., HMA
Lotus Wellspring Healthcare
456 E. Mission Road, Suite 100
San Marcos, CA 92069
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.lotuswellspring.com

If you are in Orange County I would highly recommend seeing Dr. David Karaba, an accupuncturist and NAET specailist. Google NAET to read more about it. It is a healing modality that actually eliminates allergies! I have a natural parenting store in Fullerton, Belly Sprout, and send all of my families to him. He has also helped me and my 2 young boys with specific food allergies and NAET works!
Dr. David Karaba ###-###-####

When I was pregnant with my second I had horrible allergies in Spain, while visisting. I went to a homeopathic dcotor and one dose that he gave me relieved ALL of my symptoms. You can get homeopaths at Mothers or Henrys and should pick up a book on how to diagnose yourself!

Also check out our website as we cater to pregnant mamas with a whole host of classes and worskhops!

Good lucck,
C. Funk
www.bellysprout.com

Hi T.,

I have always gone for acupuncture for my allergies. It kept them in check for years. It saved me from asthma and I use it for everything now. I have finally found an acupuncturist in LA that I like (I moved here from NY). It is completely natural.

Before I got pregnant (and before I found my acupuncturist)I started allergy shots because I knew my allergies would be bad without the acupuncture. However, since you are already pregnant allergy shots are not an option.

If your doctor agrees try the acupuncture. It will definitely help you.

Good luck.

Hi T.,
I have horrible allergies all year long. I am 6 months prego and am taking Zyrtec. My first pregnancy was horrible because of allergies:(. I sneezed for I swear 9 months. As soon as I found out I could take Zyrtec I ran to the store. It definatly works. I have tried everything safe in pregnancy. You do have to take a 10 mg pill once a day. I checked with 3 ob's to see what each of them thought, I also checked with a midwife. She is very Natural/Homeopathic and she took Zyrtec with both her kids. So if three ob's say it's ok and a midwife, I trust that.
GOOD LUCK!!!

I have a great dvd. Many that have watched it have been able to overcome their allergies. Let me know. God Bless!

J.

Try a Neti Pot. You can buy one for $16.99 at Whole Foods. Use warm water and non-idodized salt. I have used the Neti Pot for the last several months and it has reduced my allergies and also helped clear up a sinus infection. It takes a few tries to get used to it...you might feel like you are drowning at first...but with time you will get it and you will breath so much better! I love it so much!

Spend the day at a Mall and notice how much better you feel.
Then you know what you allergies are. Then see a doctor.
B. v. O.