Lupus and Pregnancy

I had one very "normal" pregnancy, then one with a lot of bleeding and problems but a healthy though small (4 1/2 pound) baby, then 3 miscarriages, then I was diagnosed with lupus. Now I am pregnant again and am 32 weeks and have been doing great. I had been taking heparin, to thin my blood but I have not been taking that for several months now. I have heard a lot about a blend called 5-W that has black cohosh root, squaw vine herb, dong quai root, butcher's broom root and red raspberry leaves. Like I said, I have not been taking the heparin, but I don't want to take anything that would thicken my blood. Do you have any thoughts? I have not been taking the heparin because I believe I am fine. I do not have any of the symptoms of lupus, except the blood test. I would rather do things as naturally as possible.

We do not comment on proprietary products. Of the list of herbs you mention, we cannot recommend black cohosh, dong quai or broom. These are all contraindicated during pregnancy unless you are advised by a midwife to take them. I recommend that you consult with a midwife or a medical practitioner familiar with using herbs in pregnancy for your individual support.
Oatstraw, Red Raspberry leaves and Nettle leaf can be safely taken in tea form as a tonic in pregnancy. These herbs support blood circulation, the nervous system and nourishment of the uterus. Oats as a cereal and oatstraw tea are also recommended by Susun Weed in "Healing Wise" (Ash Tree Publishing, 1989) as healing support in lupus. For more information, please see our website at www.richters.com. Choose "Q&A" from the main menu, then choose "Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses" and search for the item "Herbs in Pregnancy". You may also wish to view the item "Herbs to Avoid in Pregnancy" and the item "Lupus".