Can I drink valerian during pregnancy?

The healing properties of valerian were known in ancient times. This plant was widely used in those days to promote health. Even part of its name “valere” in Latin means to be strong. And strength is always associated with health.

This inexpensive drug is popular today. In each home first-aid kit there is a bottle of valerian drops or yellow pills of the extract of this medicinal plant. This drug is considered by many to be harmless, and therefore it can be safely taken even by women during pregnancy. Let's try to figure out whether this is true.

Is it possible to take valerian future mom

Alcohol intake is not recommended for women during this crucial period. Only in exceptional cases, when the patient experiences a strong emotional outburst, she can drink 15 drops of tincture. But in general, any alcohol-containing means is better for pregnant women not to take.

Like any other medicine, a woman should take drugs on the basis of valerian root when carrying a child with great care.After all, any of its wrong action can harm the baby. It must be remembered that in addition to sedation, valerian root can produce a stimulating effect. The negative result is observed mainly in the wrong selection of the dosage. Therefore, only the doctor should determine the duration of the course and the dose of a single dose.

In some cases, pregnant women are prescribed valerian.

The list of conditions in which the doctor recommends taking the future mother to one of the preparations based on valerian root is not long. In this list the following states:

• tachycardia due to gratuitous anxiety;
• persistent insomnia;
• gastrointestinal spasms of non-infectious origin;
• nervous condition;
• irritability;
• pronounced toxicosis;
• hypertension (high blood pressure);
• in the early stages of pregnancy with increased uterine tone.

In cases where the risk of miscarriage is high, valerian is particularly helpful. If taken in combination with other means, it helps to reduce the tone of the uterus and prevent premature labor.

Acceptance of valerian in the third trimester of pregnancy even improves a woman’s general well-being, as it normalizes the digestive process and relieves nervous tension.

Important point! With obvious signs of depression of the central nervous system (depressive states, apathy, and lethargy), it is strictly prohibited to take a pregnant valerian.

How does the drug

Although the leaves, flowers, and stem of this herbaceous plant have healing properties, valerian root is most appreciated. In it, scientists have found almost 200 active ingredients. True, the effect of each of the detected substances has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, it is difficult to name the specific component that has the maximum therapeutic effect. Many scientists agree that, due to the complex influence of all components of the plant, including valeric acid, the production of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the body is stimulated. This substance is involved in such important biochemical processes:

• energy distribution;
• regulation of the functions of the parasympathetic nervous system;
• control of cardiovascular activity.

Features of composition and properties

In addition to GABA, valerian plant also contains a number of components that have a therapeutic effect:

• tanning agents;
• resins;
• essential oil;
• alkaloids;
• organic acids, including palmitic, malic;
• complex minerals, among which are very rare components: vanadium, selenium, iron.

Most people routinely use valerian pills or other drugs based on it as a sedative or antispasmodic. But this drug has an impressive array of pharmacological properties:

• It has a calming effect on the central nervous system.
• Reduces heart rate.
• Normalizes vascular tone.
• It is an excellent antispasmodic.
• Able to have choleretic effect.
• Stimulates the secretory function of the gut.
• It helps to reduce blood pressure.
• Smoothes the symptoms of convulsive syndrome.

Such a solid list of characteristics makes a modest valerian a truly universal preparation. Medication based on valerian is especially important when you need to minimize all possible risks of side effects. Pregnancy is included in the list of such special situations.

Selection of dose and treatment

Often, future mothers, without the approval of a doctor, begin to take valerian. Encourages them to independent actions unstable emotional state. For example, many pregnant women often worry before visiting a doctor, even the smallest trifle can make them worry.

Of course, a few pills of valerian will not adversely affect the health of a woman and a child, but they will not bring any special benefits. A lasting therapeutic effect can be obtained only after a long course of treatment. Therefore, the woman is obliged to agree on the intention to take this or that drug at any time during the pregnancy with the doctor who is monitoring her.

If a specialist comes to the conclusion that taking valerian will improve the condition of a pregnant woman, he recommends that she take it in pills or as a decoction of the plant.

Now more about the benefits of each dosage form:

1. Tablets are prescribed for pregnant women in the minimum dose - one tablet three times a day. Take pills need half an hour before meals, drink water. In the absence of positive treatment dynamics, the dose is doubled.On average, the course of treatment is calculated for 2-3 weeks, and when a positive result is achieved - the drug is completely canceled.
2. The extract is prepared according to the formula: 3 tablespoons of dry ingredients per 0.2 liters of water. It is used mainly for therapeutic soothing baths. The finished solution is added to warm water (not above 38 degrees). The duration of the procedure is up to 20 minutes.
3. The broth is prepared according to the recipe specified in the instructions on the pharmaceutical packaging. It is taken three times a day for 1-2 (l. Art.). The duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician, focusing on the condition of the woman.

Special attention! To adjust the dosage and prolong the treatment can only gynecologist, leading the observation of the course of pregnancy. One should not rely on the advice of relatives and girlfriends in this important matter.

List of contraindications

Despite the high degree of safety and a lot of positive qualities, in some situations, even the reception of valerian is not assigned to pregnant women because of the fear of complications.

The drug is contraindicated if the expectant mother:

• progression of depression;
• marked hypertension;
• there is a risk of stroke;
• enterocolitis diagnosed;
• there are chronic liver pathologies;
• hypersensitivity to this drug.

Important! If before pregnancy valerian reception was accompanied by negative manifestations, the woman is obliged to inform her doctor about it.

Signs of overdose and first aid for it

Sometimes long-term treatment with valerian (3 months or more), or exceeding the recommended dose leads to undesirable consequences. In such cases, a pregnant woman complains of deterioration of health, which is expressed by the following symptoms:

• general weakness;
• bouts of dizziness;
• apathetic condition;
• sleepiness;
• a tendency to constipation or diarrhea;
• decrease in working capacity;
• sometimes there are skin manifestations in the form of a rash, itching, redness.

Confirm that the malaise is caused by an overdose of valerian, help these associated symptoms:

• Dilated pupils.
• Tremor of the limbs.
• Intense headaches.
• Sensation of discomfort in the chest.
• Tachycardia.
• Often marked epigastric pain.

If there is a clinical picture with the symptoms listed above, you should immediately seek qualified medical assistance. In such cases, to improve the condition of the pregnant woman, a complex of anti-toxic measures is carried out: she is given activated charcoal, and adequate therapy is prescribed to eliminate the symptoms. In critical situations caused by overdose, gastric lavage is performed.

Recommendations of specialists

Opinion experienced obstetrician-gynecologists regarding the admission of pregnant valerian and other medicines, in the composition of which it is present, boils down to one thing: the drug can be used and even needed. True, while future mothers should strictly adhere to the dosage. You also need to take into account a number of features that may manifest themselves during treatment:

1. Minor malaise, irritability and anxiety disappear after regular, short walks in the fresh air. Such conditions do not require medical treatment.
2. Uncontrolled pills valerian can aggravate the condition to such an extentthat would require therapy with serious drugs. This option is generally not desirable in the period of carrying a child.
3. Individual intolerance, as well as overdose of the drug can provoke sudden increases in pressure, and this threatens hypertensive crisis. Therefore, a woman must strictly comply with all medical appointments.

Important point! If an allergic reaction in any form is noted, the drug should be stopped immediately. The tendency to allergic manifestations can be transmitted from mother to child.

In conclusion, it should be recalled that a pregnant woman should take any medication carefully and it is advisable to do this after consulting a doctor. Self-medication can very badly affect the health of the unborn child.

Video: taking medication during pregnancy and lactation