Natural sleep aids in pregnancy

uesday morning on WMBI a caller asked if there was something safe that her daughter could take in her 7th month of pregnancy to help her sleep. In the midst of a busy morning of calls, I gave her a kneejerk response by recommending the antihistamine diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. This approach is safe, as diphenhydramine is a pregnancy category B medication (meaning that studies in humans have proven it to be generally safe for the unborn child). However, I did not take the opportunity to discuss other natural remedies, as well as behavioral strategies for sleep in the later stages of pregnancy.

This Week’s Health Headlines

Think it’s swine flu? Don’t go for the rapid test Antidepressants during pregnancy linked to heart defects in baby Study: No evidence to support routine PSA testing for prostate cancer Fear of back pain may increase your risk for back pain Poor math skills may worsen diabetes control Low vitamin D may be deadly for [...]

This Week’s Health Headlines

Tanning beds proven to cause cancer Blue dye used in M&M’s may treat spinal cord injuries Morning sickness tied to higher child IQ Good relationship with caregiver may slow Alzheimer’s disease Is “Organic” food healthier than conventional food? CDC publishes recommendations for who should receive swine flu vaccine