Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Pink Stork Morning Sickness Solutions - A Review

Some time ago, I was contacted by Pink Stork Morning Sickness Solutions, asking if I was interested in reviewing their natural product line for treating morning sickness. After having suffered through Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) with most of my pregnancies, anything claiming to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) immediately has my interest. Especially products that are natural, and even more so if these products address what I believe to be the true underlying cause of morning sickness and hyperemesis - Heliobacter pylori. 

I first blogged about the connection between H. pylori and NVP/HG about 9 months in my blog post, The Cause and Cure of Morning Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum. With a view count of over 52,000 to date, it is THE most popular post on this blog, bar none. I have heard from scores and scores of readers who reported that their NVP/HG greatly improved by addressing the underlying issue of H. pylori colonization. During my most recent pregnancy, not only was I able to reduce my symptoms of hyperemesis and morning sickness by about 90% by following the protocol outlines in the blog post, but I was able to do so while expecting twins, which typically is accompanied by exacerbated nausea. Personally, as well as based on the testimony of others, I am convinced that gastrointestinal issues, more specifically an over-colonization with H. pylori, are the true cause of morning sickness. I just wish there were more doctors and researchers studying this subject in depth, and developing natural, safe, and effective treatment methods.

Pink Stork Morning Sickness Solutions promises to do just that with their line of natural products to relieve anything from morning sickness to hyperemesis by way of healing the gastrointestinal system, killing off the H. pylori, and addressing nutritional deficiencies.

One month supply of the full product line

1) Probiotic: Probiotics are healthy bacteria - billions of them. Taking them as a supplement helps swing the balance in favor of good vs. bad bacteria in the gut. These are to be taken ideally on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. The capsules are small, but you could also open the gelatin caps, pour the contents into some water, and take it that way.

2) Foundation, i.e. prenatal multivitamin: This is an organic, whole foods based, liquid multivitamin made from various plant extracts. The flavor is very pleasant, and I can tell that (at least for me) it would be palatable even while pregnant. If you have ever tasted the iron supplement Floradix, it has a similar taste, but milder and fruitier, and without the "blood" aftertaste. 

I was very excited about this prenatal multivitamin, and love everything about it, but then noticed that sadly, it contains two artificial preservatives: potassium sorbate, and potassium benzoate. I react poorly to both, and it was this reaction that led me to look for and discover the preservatives in the list of "other ingredients." Also, the sweeteners used are erythritol and stevia leaf extract, both of which I stay away from whenever possible. For me, this means that I would not be able to use this particular supplement in the Pink Stork line.

I have brought these issues up to Pink Stork Solutions, and they are working on re-formulating this supplement in the future. Most women will not be as sensitive as I am to these ingredients, and would probably benefit overall from this whole food nutrient based supplement. Especially since pharmaceutical solutions to hyperemesis contain their own cocktail of chemicals that are probably far more harmful than the preservatives in this product.


3) Organic Liquid folate supplement: Folate is the natural, plant based version of folic acid, which is a synthetic imitation not found in foods. Pink Stork folate is derived 100% from food sources (organic lemon peel extract).

The flavor is very pleasant. Sadly, this supplement, too, contains potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate, making it a no-go for me in spite of all its other wonderful ingredients and their health benefits.


4) Cocolaurin: This is a highly concentrated form of monolaurin, a fatty acid and form of lauric acid. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, effectively fighting harmful bacteria such as H. pylori, among many others. Monolaurin is a key component in breast milk. Pink Stork believes it to be the best and most natural way to combat H. pylori during pregnancy, and from my research on the subject, I must say they are probably right (though I have yet to try it during pregnancy myself).


At first I was a little baffled as to how to take this supplement, since it comes in the form of little pellets that are not to be chewed up (they are waxy).


I simply measure 3 scoops into a little paper cup like this, then pour them all into my mouth at once, and wash down with water. Very easy!


5) Organic apple cider vinegar: This probably doesn't sound appealing to a lot of ladies, but ACV even by itself is often enough to wipe out mild to moderate morning sickness. Pink Stork brand apple cider vinegar has a very pleasant taste to it, and does not taste overly acidic, especially once it is added to a glass of water. ACV helps restore proper balance and acid levels in the stomach, wiping out H. pylori thriving in the folds of the stomach walls.
Side note: If you suffer from heartburn (caused by pregnancy or otherwise), drinking 1 Tbsp of ACV in an 8 oz glass of water will put an instant stop to it. If you suffer from chronic heartburn, even heartburn so severe that you are using prescription drugs to control it, it can be safely and effectively overcome by drinking 3-4 cups of water + ACV every day for just a few days.

 

6) Magnesium Spray: This works along the same principle as the magnesium flakes, but can be used quickly and efficiently when taking a bath is not an option. Again, I had a liquid, spray-on magnesium supplement I used during my most recent pregnancy, with wonderful results. Anytime I felt my nausea increasing, I would spray it on my arms and legs, rub it in, and feel significantly better almost immediately.

 

7) Magnesium Flakes: There are multiple studies showing that magnesium deficiency greatly exacerbates morning sickness. Presumably, this is due to the electrolyte balance being out of whack, causing dehydration, which causes nausea and vomiting. 

Magnesium is best absorbed through the skin, as opposed to taking it internally in pill form. These flakes are to be added to bath water or foot soaks for quick, overall absorption and almost instantaneous relief. 

During my last pregnancy, in addition to supporting my GI system, I also used magnesium salts in my bath water with great success.




8) Organic Peppermint Oil: Peppermint helps quell nausea. This little bottle is for wafting under the nose when nausea strikes, as well as for masking unpleasant odors (you could put a few drops onto a tissue and hold it in front of your nose). Diluted with a carrier oil, it can also be applied to bottoms of feet or wrists for additional nausea relief.



9) Peach Ginger Tea: The typical suggestion of "try ginger to fix your morning sickness" makes me stabby, and I'm pretty sure that anyone who has ever endured hyperemesis will agree with me on this point. To be truthful, ginger DOES greatly support the GI tract, as well as help kill off H. pylori, but in a mom suffering from hyperemesis, it may only be a drop of water on a hot stone. Besides, the last thing I want to do is choke down a spicy-hot ginger beverage if my throat is already sore from throwing up.

So it was with some reluctance that I tried this tea, but a review is a review, right? Imagine my surprise to find I actually really, really LOVE this tea! It is neither spicy-hot, nor does it have an overwhelming ginger taste to it. Actually, it tastes like peach tea, which is the natural flavor it contains. 

 

Just to see how much ginger was in there (since I hardly tasted any), I tore open one of the used tea bags. Sure enough, lots of ginger in there! They are the little yellowish chunks in the picture below.


This tea has since become a treat for me. Each bag steeps up to 4 cups, so in the morning, I steep 1 bag in 2 cups of boiling water in a quart Mason jar, which I top off with cold water once the tea is done brewing. Then I sip on it throughout the day.


All these supplements come accompanied by a very readable booklet explaining each product in detail, as well as giving diet restrictions and recommendations (for example, cutting out sugar, processed foods, unprepared grains, etc.). There is also an extensive list of references backing up their claims.



Overall, I would definitely recommend these products to any mom suffering from hyperemesis or nausea and vomiting, with a word of caution regarding the preservatives in two of the products. I am excited about regularly incorporating the other products to my daily routine if and when I am blessed with another pregnancy.

To read more about Pink Stork Morning Sickness Solutions or to order their products, please click here. They are currently offering a 20% discount for first time customers! (Use discount code "first" at checkout.)


Note: I received a one-month supply of all of the above products for free in exchange for this honest, unbiased review.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Abiding Radio

At the homeschool convention, I was excited to come across a booth by "Abiding Radio", an online conservative Christian radio station that streams music 24/7 on four different channels. As it turns out, they are based out of Mesa, Arizona - right here in our own backyard. I enjoyed getting to know the people behind the radio station a little bit. Like us, they are independent, fundamental Baptists and share our conservative values. Not to mention they were just simply nice people!


This radio service free because it is supported purely by donations. You can connect not only from your home computer, but also through a smart phone app.


The children have been enjoying tuning in to the Kids' channel during meal times, car rides, and other down times. They know all the "Patch the Pirate" songs on there by heart from owning all the albums. I love how many scripture songs they play on there, too. Baby Boaz is not at all fond of riding in the car, but as long as I keep the music playing for him, he will either listen contently, or doze off peacefully. 

Maybe you, too, will be blessed by their ministry! :)