Top 10 Traditional Remedies for First-Time Pregnant Women

Red eye is a common issue during pregnancy, and it can easily spread into an infection if not treated properly. It can become a serious complication for pregnant women, and with the body’s immune system weakened, they are more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. Pregnant women need to avoid medications, especially antibiotics, which can harm both their health and their baby. But what should pregnant women do if they have red eye?

Red eye is caused by the Adenovirus group and can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. It spreads quickly through respiratory contact and touching, making it prone to becoming an outbreak. Pregnant women are more susceptible due to hormonal changes and a weakened immune system, making them an easy target for infections. If you have red eye, stay away from allergens and consult a doctor. It is best to take a few days off to avoid spreading the illness. Wear glasses to prevent transmission to others. Pregnant women should not self-medicate but consult a doctor for proper treatment.

You can wash your eyes with a saline solution (0.9%). Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes, and avoid rubbing your eyes as this can introduce bacteria and cause damage. Additionally, try this traditional remedy:

How to Do It:

• Take 5 fresh betel leaves, wash them, and crush them. Place them in a cup.
• Add one tablespoon of coarse salt and pour 300 ml of hot water over the mixture. Use this solution to steam your eyes twice a day (morning and evening). With consistent use, you'll notice improvements right from the first day.

After a successful delivery, new mothers face the challenge of body changes, particularly the contractions of the uterus following childbirth. But there's no need to worry too much.

After giving birth, mothers may experience lower abdominal pain as the uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size. While these contractions are normal, if the pain is too intense, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor about pain relief. Doctors recommend that if post-delivery pain is not accompanied by unusual symptoms, there is no cause for concern. The pain helps expel the remaining lochia, aiding in faster recovery. The following methods can help ease postpartum uterine contractions.

A traditional remedy passed down through generations involves eating a hot boiled duck egg shortly after birth, which effectively aids uterine contraction and pain relief.

How to Do It:

• Prepare the ingredients and tools, and clean the egg.
• Fill a pot with enough water to submerge the egg (about 1 cm above the egg). Be careful not to use too much or too little water.
• Boil the egg for about 15 minutes until fully cooked. It should be hot and ready to eat.

After childbirth, every mother is eager to find ways to stimulate milk production quickly, ensuring that their baby receives the nutrient-rich natural breast milk. As mothers, we dedicate our love and care to our children, hoping for the best for them. However, not all women experience a quick milk flow or have an ample milk supply post-delivery.

To encourage milk production quickly, many people recommend a traditional remedy where a comb is dipped in boiled mulberry leaf water and then brushed gently across the breast. Here are some other methods you can try:

Method 1: Mix white alcohol and yeast into a soft paste, apply it to both breasts for 15-20 minutes. This mixture helps to warm the breasts and stimulate milk flow.

Method 2: A more direct method is to drink a cup of beer mixed with hot condensed milk. This combination is said to bring milk immediately.

Method 3: Brew hot sweetened condensed milk to encourage milk production.

The labor process is one of the most painful experiences for mothers, making them reluctant to go through it again. It can last for hours or even days, exhausting both the body and mind. Are there any ways to make childbirth easier? There are two traditional remedies often used to help women have a smoother delivery:

Method 1: During the 8th month of pregnancy, women should actively eat black sesame seeds. This ancient practice has been passed down through generations. Eat black sesame seeds until the end of pregnancy, and when signs of labor begin, drink a cup of fresh rau ngót juice, which not only helps with childbirth but also cleanses the body effectively.

Method 2: This method may sound unusual, but it has been proven effective by both my mother and my sister. Whether it's coincidence or not, I believe it’s worth trying. When in the 35th week of pregnancy, while taking an evening walk with your partner, find a dimly lit crossroads and relieve yourself in the middle of it. This tip is said to make childbirth easier and reduce the long hours of pain during labor.

The flu is a common illness that can clear up within a few days with proper care. However, when it comes to pregnant women, the flu is more frequently encountered and can be harmful to both the mother and the baby.

Flu in pregnant women is a viral illness. The flu virus enters the body of the mother through the mouth or nose. This is a very common illness not only in pregnant women but in all individuals due to the simple transmission route. In particular, people are very susceptible to the flu when the weather changes.

If the flu occurs during early pregnancy and is not treated properly, it can lead to birth defects such as cleft lips or palates. If the mother prefers not to take medications, a natural remedy like garlic soaked in honey can be an excellent alternative! After about 3 months of soaking, garlic in honey can treat the flu and also help with sore throat, which is very beneficial for pregnant women.

How to prepare: Make garlic soaked in honey

• 25g of peeled garlic, washed and thinly sliced.
• Soak it in 500g of pure honey.
• Let it sit for 3 months or 100 days before using it.

Since the soaking period is long, and the flu is most likely to occur early in pregnancy, it is better to prepare this remedy before pregnancy. If the mother remembers this remedy, it will also be helpful for treating coughs in children later. Additionally, garlic soaked in honey is an excellent way to boost the immune system for both the mother and child!

Constipation during pregnancy is a common concern for many women. While it is not life-threatening, it can be quite bothersome and may lead to complications after childbirth. There are several reasons why constipation affects most pregnant women. Many are curious about when constipation typically occurs during pregnancy. It is most common in the first and third trimesters.

Hormones are one major factor. When pregnant, hormonal changes cause the muscles, including those in the intestines, to relax. This leads to slower bowel movements and delayed digestion and waste elimination.

Another cause is the growing fetus, which expands the uterus and puts pressure on various organs and nerves. As the baby grows, it takes up more space in the abdominal cavity, narrowing the digestive tract and slowing the movement of food through the system.

To alleviate this issue, there are simple and effective food-based remedies to treat constipation during pregnancy.

• First, wash and soak rice in warm water until it softens. Once soaked, drain and lightly toast the rice until golden.
• Next, wash and peel the carrots, then chop them into small cubes. Crush the garlic and chop it finely. Slice or shred some ginger, and add the ginger skin while cooking for extra aroma.
• Season the minced meat to taste. You can substitute minced meat with beef and add mung beans along with the rice.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Then add the meat and carrots, stir-fry for about a minute, and add some wine for flavor. Adjust the seasoning to taste, and set aside.
• Cook the rice in a pot with water, adding the sautéed meat and carrots once the rice starts to soften. Simmer on low heat, adding water if necessary until the porridge is cooked to your preference.

Method 2: Eat boiled sweet potatoes. Their vitamin C and amino acids help stimulate intestinal movement and promote digestion. Eating about 100g a day for several days is effective, but avoid long-term consumption as it may lead to excessive sugar intake.

• Place the sweet potatoes in a pot and add water just covering them.
• Boil for 10-15 minutes and eat while hot.

During childbirth, the mother's uterus expands to its maximum size to deliver the baby. After the baby is born, the uterus begins to recover, and the uterine lining starts to shed, forming blood clots. This discharge is known as lochia, the postpartum fluid.

After giving birth, while dealing with the pain of delivery, mothers also have to endure the discomfort of lingering lochia, which can be frustrating. To speed up the expulsion of this discharge safely, many turn to a folk remedy using edible leaves:

Method 1:

• Soak fresh edible leaves in saltwater, then wash thoroughly under clean running water and drain.
• Once dry, blend the leaves with a pinch of salt and some water, then drink a glass of this mixture daily.
• Continue this for 3-5 days to help expel lochia, cleanse the uterus, and promote its rapid recovery. If you find the fresh leaves unpalatable, you can cook them into a soup or stew for daily consumption. However, this method will take longer than drinking the fresh juice.

Method 2: To ensure hygiene and prevent the baby from getting diarrhea, many mothers today opt to prepare edible leaves in a soup for their daily meals.

Note: While using edible leaves to expel lochia and speed up postpartum recovery, it is important to stay active and avoid lying down for long periods. Moving around helps improve circulation, which aids uterine contraction and lochia expulsion. Also, frequent breastfeeding encourages uterine contractions. This simple method can help clean the lochia quickly and effectively. However, it's recommended to consult a healthcare provider before starting this practice for better results.

Morning sickness is a common experience during pregnancy, affecting most women. This phase can be quite challenging and exhausting, but it also brings the joy of knowing a baby is growing inside.

Morning sickness is most common during the first trimester and is characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sleeplessness. These symptoms are related to pregnancy and can occur at any time of the day.

The timing of nausea and vomiting varies among pregnant women. However, studies show that around 70% of women experience nausea from the 4th to the 16th week of pregnancy, and about 10% continue to experience it after the 20th week, possibly even until delivery. Women with sensitive constitutions often experience severe nausea and vomiting early on, making it difficult to control. Certain triggers, such as strong smells, spicy food, motion sickness, or headaches, can intensify the symptoms of morning sickness, leaving many expectant mothers feeling very fatigued and challenged.

So, what can be done to permanently resolve morning sickness in pregnant women? The good news is that there are many natural remedies passed down through generations. These include drinking ginger tea, peppermint tea, or honey lemon water. Here are some methods you can try:

Method 1: Boiled eggs with vinegar.

• Boil 60ml of vinegar.
• Add 30g of sugar and stir until it dissolves, then crack one egg into the pot and cook it.
• Place the egg in the fridge and use it over the next 3 days, reheating it before consumption.

Method 2: Lemon water is effective for relieving nausea by masking unpleasant smells that trigger the feeling of vomiting. Additionally, vitamin C is beneficial for both the mother and the baby.

• Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a cup, removing the seeds.
• Add water and a bit of honey.
• Stir the lemon, water, and honey mixture together.
• Drink this lemon water each morning to prevent morning sickness.

The first three months of pregnancy are critical when the fetus is still unstable. During this period, expectant mothers need to be careful with their activities to ensure a healthy pregnancy. This phase is very sensitive because the embryo is newly formed and is implanting in the mother's uterus. Therefore, any excessive uterine contractions or vigorous physical activity can be dangerous.

If you notice symptoms such as bleeding, dark or bright red discharge, cloudy urine, blood in the urine, or the detachment of the placenta, it’s important to seek medical advice immediately for an accurate diagnosis. For those with a weak constitution who are more prone to pregnancy complications such as threatened miscarriage, don’t panic. Stay calm and consider using gai root (whether dried or fresh) as it has significant benefits in supporting a safe pregnancy.

Gai root is known as a “miracle herb” for treating pregnancy complications like threatened miscarriage, placental detachment, and other issues. In traditional medicine, gai root is used for its detoxifying properties, as well as its ability to improve urination and regulate body heat. It’s an excellent remedy for various pregnancy complications, including abdominal pain, bleeding, constipation prevention, and supporting a healthy pregnancy.

Instructions:

• For dried gai root: Use 100g of dried gai root boiled with 1 liter of water and drink as a replacement for water.
• For fresh gai root: You can boil or roast it and consume it daily during the first three days after consultation. After that, simmer 150-200g of gai root with pigeon, chicken gizzards, and other meats. Consume this 2-3 times a week until delivery to ensure a healthy pregnancy and avoid any complications.

One of the most common complaints among pregnant women is back pain. Persistent aches can make it difficult for mothers to enjoy their day or even move comfortably while lying down. The cause of this discomfort is the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. These hormones loosen the pelvic ligaments, softening them and causing the bones of the pelvis and sacrum to become less stable, resulting in pain and discomfort. Although this softening helps facilitate childbirth, it can also cause aches in the joints and ligaments. Additionally, as the pregnancy progresses, particularly after the sixth month, the growing uterus and increasing weight of the baby can shift the center of gravity forward, making back pain even more pronounced. This is a common experience for most expectant mothers. Along with gentle massages and light exercises, here are some remedies to help ease this discomfort:

Method 1: Mugwort + Salt

• Take a handful of fresh mugwort leaves, wash them, and let them dry. Then, fry them gently with a tablespoon of coarse salt.
• When the mixture is warm, wrap it in a thin cloth or a clean fabric pouch and apply it to the painful area before bedtime. Doing this regularly will help reduce back pain effectively.

Method 2: Ginger Wine

• Wash 150-200g of fresh ginger, let it dry, crush it, and soak it in 1 liter of white wine for about a month.
• Before bedtime, ask your partner to gently massage the sore areas with this ginger wine to relieve pain and promote better sleep.