“This amazing herb has been used since the sixth century to aid women during the childbearing years”(Birth Eat Love).
A cup of tea in general, alongside a heated rice pack and a cozy blanket, is a balm for most mamas in general. Now, add in a cup of tea that doubles with lots of benefits for your pregnancy and you’ve got an offer they can’t resist right?
Known for its ability to tone pelvic muscles, including the uterus, it has become a recommended addition to pregnancy. It also contains many vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C and E, Calcium, Iron and Vitamin A. On your period? Pregnant? Soon to be in labor? It has benefits for all of these. Freezing the brewed tea in ice cube trays is a fabulous way to consume it during labor: cold and follows the “no eating during labor” rule if for some reason you fall under that. It’s so important to stay hydrated during labor because dehydration can not only lead to you needing an iv (therefore not being able to move around during labor) but it can also make your contractions more painful.
Ask your Midwife/OB before you start, but most mamas can begin drinking a cup or so a day starting in their second trimester. It is used to tone your uterus, helps with digestion and most sought after- to shorten labor. You will likely be told to increase from 1-2 cups to 3-4 cups a day by 30 weeks. Now, if you hate tea or the thought of drinking 4 cups of the same thing sounds awful here are a few ways to spice it up:
- Brew a large batch as iced tea (adding honey, fresh squeezed lemons, or coconut milk)
- Brew hot and add your honey (or other natural sweetener) or milk
- Brew cold and add some orange juice to it
Worth a shot right?
