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 enhance 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 medicine cabinet, there is always a bottle with 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 taken without fear even for women during pregnancy. Let's try to figure out if this is true in reality.

Is it possible to take valerian to expectant mother

Women are not recommended to take alcohol solutions in this crucial period. Only in exceptional cases, when the patient experiences a strong emotional outburst, can she drink 15 drops of tincture. But in general, pregnant women should not take any alcohol-containing products.

Like any other medicine, a woman should take drugs with great care when carrying a child’s valerian root. After all, any of its incorrect actions can harm the baby. It must be remembered that in addition to sedation, valerian root can produce an exciting effect. A negative result is observed mainly with improper dosage selection. Therefore, only the doctor should determine the duration of the course and the dose of a single dose.

In what cases is valerian prescribed for pregnant women

The list of conditions in which the doctor recommends the future mother to take one of the drugs based on valerian root is not large. The following states are in this list:

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

In cases where there is a high risk of miscarriage, valerian is especially useful. If taken in combination with other drugs, it helps to reduce the tone of the uterus and prevent premature labor.

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

An important point! With obvious signs of depression of the central nervous system (depressive states, lethargy and lethargy), pregnant valerian is strictly prohibited.

How does the drug work?

Although the leaves, flowers, and stem of this herbaceous plant have healing properties, valerian root is most valued. In it, scientists found almost 200 active components. True, the effect of each of the detected substances has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, it is difficult to name a specific component that has the maximum therapeutic effect. Many scientists agree that, thanks to the complex effect of all plant components, including valerianic 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 division of the nervous system;
• control of cardiovascular activity.

Features of the composition and properties

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

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

Most people habitually 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 exert a choleretic effect.
• Stimulates the secretory function of the glands of the digestive tract.
• Helps lower blood pressure.
• Smoothes the symptoms of convulsive syndrome.

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

Selection of a dose and course of treatment

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

Of course, a few tablets of valerian will not negatively affect the health of women and children, but they will not bring special benefits either. A stable therapeutic effect can be obtained only after a long course of treatment. Therefore, the woman is obliged to coordinate the intention to take this or that medicine at any stage of pregnancy with the doctor who is monitoring her.

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

Now more about the benefits of each dosage form:

1. Tablets are prescribed to pregnant women in the minimum dose - one tablet three times a day. You need to take pills half an hour before meals, drink it with water. In the absence of positive dynamics in treatment, the dose doubles. 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 component per 0.2 liters of water. It is mainly used for therapeutic soothing baths. The finished solution is added to warm water (not higher than 38 degrees). The duration of the procedure is up to 20 minutes.
3. The broth is prepared according to the recipe indicated in the instructions on the pharmaceutical packaging. It is taken three times during the day for 1-2 (l. Tbsp.). The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the attending physician, focusing on the condition of the woman.

Special attention! Only the gynecologist monitoring the course of pregnancy can adjust the dosage and extend the treatment course. You should not rely on the advice of relatives and friends in this important matter.

List of contraindications

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

The drug is contraindicated if the expectant mother:

• depressive state progresses;
• marked hypertension is noted;
• there is a risk of stroke;
• diagnosed with enterocolitis;
• there are chronic liver pathologies;
• hypersensitivity to this medicine.

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

Signs of an 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. A pregnant woman in such cases complains of deterioration of health, which is expressed by the following symptoms:

• general weakness;
• bouts of dizziness;
• apathetic state;
• drowsiness
• a tendency to constipation or diarrhea;
• decreased performance;
• skin manifestations in the form of a rash, itching, redness are sometimes noted.

To confirm that the malaise is caused precisely by an overdose of valerian, the following accompanying symptoms help:

• Dilated pupils.
• Tremor of the limbs.
• Intense headaches.
• Discomfort in the chest area.
• Tachycardia.
• Often there are pains in the epigastrium.

If there is a clinical picture with the above symptoms, you need to immediately seek qualified medical help. 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, adequate therapy is prescribed to eliminate the symptoms. In critical situations caused by an overdose, gastric lavage is performed.

Recommendations of specialists

The opinion of experienced obstetrician-gynecologists regarding the administration by pregnant women of valerian and other drugs in which it is present is reduced to one thing: the drug can be used and even needed. True, in this case, future mothers should strictly adhere to the dosage. You also need to consider a number of features that can manifest themselves during treatment:

1. Slight malaise, increased irritability and a sense of anxiety disappears after regular, short walks in the fresh air. Such conditions do not need medical treatment.
2. The uncontrolled intake of valerian tablets can aggravate the condition to such an extent that therapy with the use of serious drugs is required. This option is generally not desirable during the period of gestation.
3. Individual intolerance, as well as an overdose of the drug, can provoke sharp pressure surges, and this threatens a hypertensive crisis. Therefore, a woman must strictly fulfill all medical appointments.

An important point! If there is an allergic reaction in any form, the drug should be stopped immediately. Propensity to allergic manifestations can be transmitted from mother to child.

In conclusion, it should be recalled that a pregnant woman should take any medicine 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