Valerian during pregnancy

“Can pregnant women take valerian?” - you will definitely come across this question on every forum for expectant mothers on the Internet.

Valerian is traditionally considered one of the safest sedatives, so many women are interested in whether it is possible to drink it while expecting a baby, what contraindications and possible side effects there may be.

Before we talk about how valerian is used during pregnancy, let us remind you: any, even the most “harmless” medicine should be prescribed to the expectant mother exclusively by a doctor!

In what cases is valerian prescribed to pregnant women?

There can be many reasons to use this drug. Firstly, under the influence of hormones, even the calmest woman’s general anxiety increases, so even the most ordinary event causes tears and worries, let alone real stress! Valerian is also prescribed during pregnancy for tachycardia (interruptions in the heart, rapid pulse), insomnia, increased uterine tone, irritability, fear, for problems with the gastrointestinal tract and gall bladder, and painful Braxton-Hicks contractions in the later stages.

This medicine is also irreplaceable in cases where the expectant mother works or lives in stressful conditions or is generally prone to anxiety and suspiciousness, since emotional stress ultimately leads to physical stress, and this can harm the unborn child.

In modern life, taking valerian has become the norm for many of us: stress, sleep disorders, fatigue, stomach cramps. We love this product for its naturalness, accessibility and effectiveness. It is also prescribed to many pregnant women by their leading gynecologists. And this is perhaps the only situation in which a woman thinks about the advisability and safety of taking this medication.

Is it possible to take valerian during pregnancy?

Valerian is a medicinal herb. Its extract in pharmacology is available in the form of tablets and drops. In addition, the pharmacy also sells simply dry rhizomes, from which, for example, you can prepare a decoction.

So, of all this, only tincture (drops) is not recommended for pregnant women due to the alcohol content in it. And even then, doctors say, in an emergency situation, for lack of anything else, you can use it, because you won’t drink a liter (the alcohol content in it is negligible). And sometimes drops are even preferable, since the essential oils they contain help to quickly relieve acute nervous excitement. As for the pills, they can be taken without fear at any time. This is especially true in light of the fact that many medications are prohibited for use during pregnancy, and almost all are prohibited in the first trimester.

Medical research shows that valerian does not have any negative effects on the fetus developing in the womb.

However, this does not mean at all that you can drink valerian whenever you want and in any quantities. There are specific reasons why a doctor may prescribe this drug to his pregnant patient, and certain dosages for taking it.

Why is valerian prescribed to pregnant women?

Valerian has various effects on the body, but the most pronounced of them are sedative and antispasmodic. It is for this reason that pregnant women turn to this drug. If you're nervous, tired, worried about something, can't sleep, have a fight or are worried - valerian is your first aid in this, because this condition is dangerous for the unborn baby. This is most likely clear to everyone and everyone knows about it. What about the treatment course of valerian?

The mechanism of action of valerian

Valerian roots contain a substance that enhances the body's production of gamma-aminobutyric acid. This acid is one of the powerful inhibitory mediators of the nervous system. Taking valerian inhibits the “stress” - sympathetic - system of the body, activating the parasympathetic. At the same time, the production of adrenaline decreases, the nervous system calms down, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized, etc.

Valerian has several medicinal effects:

Choleretic;
sedative, hypnotic;
antispasmodic (relieves tension in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system and uterine muscles, which helps reduce its tone);
dilates blood vessels, improving the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart;
relaxes the muscles of the diaphragm, making breathing easier during shortness of breath in the last trimester.

Plant properties

Valerian is a sedative and anti-spasmodic medicinal product that is made from the widespread plant Valerian officinalis, also known as cat root . All parts of the herb have medicinal properties, but its roots are more often used to prepare medicines. The roots and rhizomes of the plant contain many vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as essential oil consisting of valerian-borneol ester.

Valerian is a widely used medicinal plant.

It is the borneol ester that activates the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, in the human body. Taking valerian helps to suppress the sympathetic nervous system (associated with stressful situations), and the parasympathetic, on the contrary, begins to work harder.

Thanks to a similar mechanism of action, valerian extract, when ingested, has a beneficial effect on systems such as:

nervous (emotional state normalizes, sleep improves, appetite appears);
digestive (belching, heartburn, attacks of nausea go away);
cardiovascular (heart rate normalizes);
muscular (smooth muscles, including the uterus, relax).

Contraindications to the use of valerian in pregnant women

Despite its safety and beneficial effects on the body, valerian may be contraindicated during pregnancy. Such restrictions include the following diseases and conditions:

individual intolerance;
early stages of pregnancy (first trimester);
hypertension;
chronic enterocolitis;
glomerulonephritis;
threat of heart attack, stroke, antiphospholipid syndrome - since valerian increases blood clotting.

It is worth remembering that due to the sedative effect, taking valerian should not be combined with driving a car or performing work that requires accuracy and speed of reaction. If you drive every day, ask your doctor to prescribe you a different drug.

Valerian during pregnancy 3rd trimester

The last three months of bearing a child are dangerous due to increased blood pressure. Doctors are afraid of the development of gestosis. Considering valerian’s ability to calm the pulse and lower blood pressure, doctors prescribe it as the safest remedy.

Valerian during pregnancy is a drug that must be taken with full responsibility. Only with the permission of the leading doctor and the treatment regimen agreed with him, you can take valerian.

The aroma of dry valerian rhizomes will have a calming effect on the nervous system if placed in a cotton bag and placed near the bed of a pregnant woman.

How should pregnant women take valerian?

While waiting for a baby, the best solution is pills. An alcohol solution for expectant mothers is prohibited due to the presence of ethanol in it, which is dangerous for the development of the fetus.

The optimal daily dose is 1-2 tablets 3 times a day. The course of treatment is usually 30 days, but sometimes the doctor may prescribe the drug for a longer period.

You can also drink a decoction of valerian root during pregnancy. To prepare it, take 2-3 tablespoons of roots, add a glass of hot water and boil for 15 minutes in a water bath. Cool the resulting infusion and dilute it so that the total volume of liquid is about 200 ml (1 glass). The decoction is taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day, 30 minutes after meals.

Exceeding recommended doses is undesirable, as this can lead to many unpleasant symptoms.

Features of application

The method of use and dosage for pregnant women should be determined only by the attending physician, since each medical history is individual. The official summary recommends different dosage regimens depending on the type of drug . Tablets can be taken up to three times a day, one or two. There is an option to take it only at night, etc. A decoction of Valerian powder should be taken in a tablespoon up to 3-4 times a day. Alcohol tincture 20–30 drops up to 3–4 times a day.

The Committee on Herbal Products of the European Agency states that the therapeutic dose of Valerian should be between 300 mg and 1 g per dose. A dose of less than 100 mg demonstrates a placebo effect.

The maximum daily dose is determined by the doctor based on the clinical picture. Valerian has the ability to accumulate in the body, so there will not be an immediate effect from taking it. As a rule, doctors suggest a treatment duration of 2–4 weeks. If there are indications, the course is resumed after a short break.

Features of taking valerian at different stages of pregnancy

The instructions for the drug say that its use is contraindicated in the first trimester. In practice, some doctors prescribe valerian in the early stages, with mood swings, severe toxicosis and the threat of interruption. It is completely safe if you strictly follow the doctor's recommendations: dosage, duration and time of administration.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, valerian is prescribed to relieve uterine tone.

In later stages, it is used to reduce anxiety before childbirth, treat mild gestosis, shortness of breath, and edema.

There are no special restrictions for the use of valerian at a gestational age of more than 14 weeks.

Indications for use for expectant mothers

Valerian has clear indications for use:

increased nervous excitability, anxiety;
insomnia;
minor disorders of the cardiovascular system;
spasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

When diagnosing the last two ailments, Valerian is recommended as an additional remedy in complex therapy. Since the plant has the ability to relieve spasms, during pregnancy it can ease the increased tone of the uterus. As a rule, for severe forms of disease, doctors do not prescribe the drug.

Which form of Valerian should a pregnant woman prefer?

The official summary does not recommend taking the drug in the first trimester. This wish applies to tablets and decoctions. And in the instructions for the alcohol tincture, pregnancy is not listed as a contraindication at all. In practice, doctors more often prescribe tablet form to pregnant women, less often decoctions, and do not recommend tincture at all due to the alcohol content in it.

I think a reasonable approach for the expectant mother should be a lot of preliminary consideration and preparation for the issue of choosing a medicine. Namely:

First you need to research authoritative, reliable sources, not excluding the latest scientific data.
Then find competent doctors and collect objective consultations.
Evaluate the information received independently.
It is your responsibility to decide whether to take the medication.

After going through all the stages, it is important to listen to your mother’s heart. If you have the slightest doubt about taking Valerian, it is better to refuse. You need to understand that mood swings, irritability, and tearfulness are characteristic of the onset of pregnancy. This condition is the result of hormonal changes. Everything will get better from the second trimester. If your health is not critical, non-drug methods of calming will help you get through the period.

Other herbal sedatives during pregnancy

In addition to valerian, there are other sedatives that are also indicated for pregnant women. Moreover, valerian is rarely prescribed as the only remedy; it is usually used in combination with other herbs or medications. These include motherwort and hawthorn or a combination of them in various collections.

The healing properties of motherwort have been known to folk medicine for many centuries. During pregnancy, doctors prescribe it no less often than valerian. Motherwort also helps with uterine tone, tachycardia, shortness of breath, insomnia and high blood pressure. Expectant mothers can drink it in tablets or brew filter bags, which can be bought at almost every pharmacy.

As for hawthorn, its mechanism of action is slightly different from valerian and motherwort. Although hawthorn is often included in sedative preparations, its sedative effect is not so pronounced. The main beneficial properties of hawthorn: lowering blood pressure, antispasmodic effect, normalizing the functioning of the heart muscle. Hawthorn is also allowed for breastfeeding women, for whom most serious sedative medications are also not recommended.

But another popular sedative, peony tincture, is contraindicated for expectant mothers. And the point is not only that it, like most tinctures, contains alcohol that is not at all beneficial for the developing fetus. There is evidence that peony tincture can cause a threat of miscarriage; its effect on the body of women in an interesting position has been poorly studied, so it is better to postpone this remedy until another time.

Late appointment

Despite the fact that the baby will be born very soon, the number of problems causing concern for the expectant mother is increasing. The woman begins to be overcome by fears, doubts, and anxiety. She doesn’t know how the birth will go, what will happen to her baby and herself.

The condition worsens in the third trimester due to the inability to get enough sleep. Sleep disturbances are associated with the inability to take a comfortable position due to a large belly. The second reason is frequent urination. The enlarged uterus puts pressure on the bladder, causing the woman to wake up periodically at night.

Many women expecting a child suffer from late toxicosis. The disease is characterized by increased blood pressure, swelling, and pain in the head.

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These phenomena cause increased psycho-emotional stress. Whether pregnant women can drink valerian in this condition is again decided by the doctor. It is believed that it helps relieve tension and calm. In turn, a decrease in tension leads to a decrease in fears, anxiety, and in some cases helps to reduce blood pressure in preeclampsia.

It is worth remembering that there is no need to reduce the tone of the uterus immediately before childbirth.