Preventing, Detecting and
Treating Maternal Exhaustion and Dehydration
Exhaustion occurs as the body’s ability to
meet the stress diminishes and finally gives out. A major cause of clinical exhaustion is the
loss of potassium ions. As cells lose potassium,
their functioning is increasingly impaired until they finally start for to
die. Unless this process is rapidly
reversed, vital organs will stop functioning.
Another component of exhaustion involves the depletion of adrenal
glucocorticoids which is the result of a sudden fall in blood glucose and a
lack of nourishment for the cells. It is
of vital importance to conserve the laboring mothers energy and taking
necessary steps to keep her well nourished on physical and psychological
levels. Encourage the mother to eat,
drink, and rest when possible throughout labor. Your alertness for possible signs of
exhaustion and dehydration should be heightened as labor lasts longer and
longer.
Signs of impending
exhaustion:
·
Ketonuria of +2 or more may be
the first sign of impending clinical exhaustion and dehydration
·
High specific gravity values is
an early sign of dehydration
·
Dry mucous membranes
·
Rising pulse above 100 (note
normal range)
·
A rising temperature of above
101F (which may result in fetal tachycardia)
Checking for
dehydration:
The tilt test is one way of determining the
degree of dehydration. Measure the
pulse and blood pressure with the woman lying flat on her back. Then have her it sit upright for one minute
with her legs dangling off the edge of the bed and reassess her vitals. Her vitals should remain approximately the
same for each reading. You can try a
third time if necessary. If the person
is dehydrated, exertion from arising results in temporary vasoconstriction
which raises the pulse rate.
Moderate dehydration is a 10 bpm increase
in pulse.
Severe dehydration if the pulse rises as
much as 30bmp.
When exhaustion and dehydration are
present, you must act quickly to turn it around.
·
Astragalus is a Chinese herb
that relieves exhaustion
·
Homeopathic Arnica is good for
any kind of exhaustion related to exertion
·
Drinking electrolyte-balancing
fluid – coconut water
Nutriive enema
·
IV
Coconut water is the liquid endosperm
inside young coconuts. Endosperm is the tissue produced in the seeds of most flowering plants around the time of
fertilization. It surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition in the form of starch, though it can also contain oils and protein. This makes endosperm an
important source of nutrition in human diet. For example, wheat endosperm is ground into flour
for bread, while barley endosperm is the main source for beer production. Other examples for
edible endosperm are coconut "meat", popcorn and banana.
Coconut
water is a natural isotonic beverage which has the same electrolytic balance as
our blood. It is identical to human
blood plasma which makes it a universal donor.
Plasma makes up 55% of our human blood therefore by drinking it we get
an instant blood transfusion. Coconut
water is also a blood purifier.
Anne Frye’s electrolyte balancing
recipe
1 tsp miso
1tsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp honey
1 tsp calcium (liquid or powdered)
2 cups water - warm to dilute ingredients. Have her sips slowly but surely!
Salt/Sodium has the most “grounding”
descending activity of any substance used as food. In the Ayurvedic tradition, the active quality of salt was
emphasized as markedly strengthening one’s energy. It can be used to a person “down to earth”.
Potassium is a mineral that naturally
balances the metabolic action of sodium.
When there is deficient potassium relative to sodium, neuromuscular
function decreases – the body becomes weak, and reflexes become poor. High concentrations of potassium are found
in every vegetable, all types of potatoes (with skins), soy products, millet
and other grains, and legumes; also in bananas and most other fruits. In terms of labor, it is unlikely that you
will be able to get her to eat much.
There food are important throughout pregnancy for prevention. If there is need you could make
banana/soymilk smoothy, add some honey.
Honey contains
minerals and enzymes and has a harmonizing affect on the body.
Water water water before, during and after.
The
mother should be taking in a minimum of 4oz of fluid every hour.
Bibliography
Frye,
Anne. Holistic Midwifery. Portland, Oregon: Labrys Press, 2004
Pitchford,
Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books,
2002
Pummer,
S. Influence
of coconut water on hemostasis. The American Journal of Emergency
Medicine, Volume 19, Issue 4, Pages 287-289.
