 Cleansing
Before Pregnancy:
Natural Detoxification for Fertility and Fetal
Health
Preparing her body for conception and pregnancy
is one of the most important things a woman can do for her health
and the health of her baby. This is especially true today, when
according to the Centers for Disease Control a growing number
of women have difficulty getting pregnant, and more than 9 million
of those women seek fertility services each year.
While experts
agree that eating well, exercising regularly and getting plenty
of sleep are essential to a healthy pregnancy, they may not always
be enough. That’s because women today must contend with
an overwhelming number of harmful toxins that have the potential
to interfere with successful conception and pregnancy. The answer,
many natural health practitioners say, begins with herbal internal
cleansing prior to conception. Practiced by myriad cultures throughout
history, herbal cleansing supports the body’s natural ability
to filter and eliminate hazardous toxins and waste, and research
indicates that it may even help women prime their bodies for
a healthy pregnancy.
More Toxins, More Risk
Currently there are more than 80,000 chemicals in use in the
United States alone, with roughly 1,000 more being produced
each year—scores of which have been shown to cause everything
from mild allergies to birth defects and chronic disease.
Research
shows that certain environmental toxins, including widely-used
pesticides and insecticides such as DDT (banned in the U.S.
since the 1970s) mimic female sex hormones known as estrogens.
In doing so, they can adversely affect the levels of both estrogen
and progesterone in the body. Progesterone is another hormone
that is critical to healthy reproduction, as it helps secure
the fertilized egg to the uterine wall and prevent infertility
and miscarriage.
Published in the Journal of Toxicology and
Environmental Health, one study examined the effects of toxic
metals such as lead and mercury on fertility and found that “…reduction
of an increased heavy metal body load improved the spontaneous
conception chances of infertile women.” For this reason,
many targeted cleansing formulas focus on drawing out toxic
metals from deep within the cells and tissues and removing
them from the body.
A Mother’s Womb:
Safe No More?
In the past, a mother’s womb was considered a safe haven. It was there
that the developing fetus received everything necessary for optimal growth and
was shielded from the harsh exterior world until the moment of birth. Today,
science has proven otherwise. Growing research reveals that the womb is no
longer the sanctuary it once was. Rather, if a mother is exposed
even to trace amounts of hazardous chemicals, those toxins will
be passed along to her baby through the roughly 300 quarts of
blood that are circulated daily through the umbilical cord and
into the placenta.
In a recent study conducted by the non-profit
organizations Environmental Working Group and Commonweal, researchers
found that in addition to supplying the fetus with vital nutrients,
the umbilical cord also carries “…a
steady stream of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides that cross the
placenta as readily as residues from cigarettes and alcohol”. Of the 287
chemicals detected in the umbilical cord blood of each participant, “180
cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system,
and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development.” (http://archive.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2)
Herbal Cleansing for
Mother and Baby
As early as a year before conceiving, natural health practitioners
recommend that women embark a personal detoxification journey
that includes regular internal cleansing. One reason why cleansing
prior to conception is so important is because it helps to strengthen
and tone the detoxification organs—which will eventually
experience increased stress during pregnancy.
Research indicates
that herbal detoxification may also support proper circulation
and help cleanse the uterine wall, both of which help provide
a healthy environment for the developing embryo. Further, several
studies have made a connection between herbal cleansing and an
increase in the number of readily available egg cells, as well
as improving the overall health of a woman’s eggs.
When
choosing an herbal cleanse, look for a formula with ingredients
such as burdock root, dandelion leaf and root, milk thistle seed,
turmeric, red clover, nettle, and yellow dock, all of which have
been used traditionally to help purify the blood and provide
cleansing and nutritive support for the entire body. Natural
digestive aids such as ginger root, fennel, cumin, spearmint
and peppermint may also be added to enhance absorption and promote
healthy bowel function.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding
and Beyond
The benefits of herbal cleansing go beyond just supporting healthy
conception. Experts agree that an excess amount of toxins in
the body may be the cause of some of the more unpleasant side
effects of pregnancy, including nausea, heartburn, constipation,
mood swings and low energy, so detoxifying the body prior to
becoming pregnant may help alleviate these symptoms and ensure
a healthier, happier nine months. Finally, just as the umbilical
cord can carry toxins to a developing fetus in the womb, a mother’s
breast milk can transfer harmful contaminants to the newborn
baby. For this reason, cleansing prior to pregnancy can help
rid the body of toxins that may otherwise be circulated through
the bloodstream and into the breast milk.
Important Note: Consult
your health practitioner before beginning any cleansing program.
Women who are currently pregnant or trying to conceive should
NOT use any herbal internal cleansing formula.
For
more information, go to ReNewLife.com.
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