Now that most of us are in the third trimester (or some of us), I know I'm at least thinking about labor even more. Do you plan on taking any supplements anywhere from 5 weeks to a few weeks before labor to help with the process? If so, what do you want or what are you going to take? Here's my list.
5W from Nature's Sunshine
Evening Primrose Oil
Possibly some red raspberry tea - it's already in the 5W
I lent my Bradley books to a friend and am still waiting to get them back. Thankfully, it's all a refresher so I'm doing all I can to keep up with things I remember from it.
Has anyone used EArth Mama Angel products for labor and postpartum? I really want to try some of their stuff if I can get enough funds.
Oh, and if anyone needs 5W I get it wholesale - just pm me.
The*Fab*Four
05-09-2009, 08:11 AM
I have been drinking Mother To Be Tea ~ about a cup a day for 2 weeks now.
I do not think I will be taking anything else, because I will be having a c-section.
friendlyjas
05-09-2009, 09:18 AM
What would mother to be tea or supplements do to help with the baby delivering process?
I ordered a few books yesterday to start reading to prepare for my VBAC. I'll probably read a few more beyond those, but i am not sure what to get.
MyM&W
05-09-2009, 09:30 AM
I'll be in my 3rd trimester in 2 weeks I'm excited. I haven't really thought about taking anything to help with labor. I had a pretty long labor with my daughter (hard labor was like 9 hours) total labor was 27 hours!! It was horrible. But I also think it was so long because the doctors did a ton of interventions and I was basically bedridden after I hit 4cm.
I hope it goes better this time.
eljube112
05-09-2009, 09:54 AM
last time I felt like the red raspberry leaf tea helped a lot in the last couple weeks with preparing my cervix so I'll be doing that again.
I also need to dust off my hypnobirthing book and get back into reading and practicing that...
Other than that, probably not much. We'll see.
mandikaake
05-09-2009, 02:32 PM
What would mother to be tea or supplements do to help with the baby delivering process?
I ordered a few books yesterday to start reading to prepare for my VBAC. I'll probably read a few more beyond those, but i am not sure what to get.
Red raspberry helps tone and strengthen the uterus. Evening Primrose helps make the cervix more pliable and for some women start to think out. There are actually many herbs that can help with aiding in faster and easier delivery, but those are the two main ones. :)
friendlyjas
05-09-2009, 02:48 PM
Red raspberry helps tone and strengthen the uterus. Evening Primrose helps make the cervix more pliable and for some women start to think out. There are actually many herbs that can help with aiding in faster and easier delivery, but those are the two main ones. :)
And you've already started taking these or you do it the last couple weeks?
mandikaake
05-09-2009, 02:50 PM
And you've already started taking these or you do it the last couple weeks?
O do the red raspberry throughout all pregnancy. The 5W I'll be taking is a combination that should only be taken the last 3-5 weeks of pregnancy. The same with evening primrose oil - only take towards the end.
dsharp
05-09-2009, 07:03 PM
You mamas are a little ahead of me, but I'm going to be taking this one...
My midwife recommends it and says your labor will go much smoother and faster if taking this the last few weeks. Just thought I'd share!
bthane23
05-09-2009, 08:46 PM
This is all very interesting. I did NOTHING with my first 2...this time though, my doctor has already said he will do an U/S every week starting at 36 weeks and once the little guy looks good to go, he will give me a list of things to naturally induce and aid in a smooth labor. Loving my doc! haha! I guess I need to look into all this!
tessa_s212
05-10-2009, 06:08 AM
Is the only way you can take red raspberry is by drinking it in tea, or is t here a supplement? I cannot even begin to force myself to drink tea. But I'd be very interested in supplements for an easier labor!
mandikaake
05-10-2009, 06:55 AM
Is the only way you can take red raspberry is by drinking it in tea, or is t here a supplement? I cannot even begin to force myself to drink tea. But I'd be very interested in supplements for an easier labor!
You can totally take it in capsule form. Just make sure whatever brand you get, if it is not a specific labor formula - that it's just the red raspberry and the capsule (gelatin).
mandikaake
05-10-2009, 07:01 AM
You mamas are a little ahead of me, but I'm going to be taking this one...
My midwife recommends it and says your labor will go much smoother and faster if taking this the last few weeks. Just thought I'd share!
Very cool. Looks like it's good stuff. Here's what my 5W contains:
Black cohosh root
Squaw vine herb
Dong quai root
Butcher’s broom root
Red raspberry leaves
jsmith
05-11-2009, 05:29 AM
:confused:
I asked my doctor about this, and he told me to never, ever take the blue cohosh when pregnant.... I guess it is not ok for me :(
mandikaake
05-11-2009, 08:19 AM
:confused:
I asked my doctor about this, and he told me to never, ever take the blue cohosh when pregnant.... I guess it is not ok for me :(
If you're using an ob and not a midwife, by and large they don't know much about herbal remedies and would suggest you not use them at all. They go as far to say they are not at all safe to use during pregnancy - not even red raspberry. Black cohash and Blue cohash have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years during the last few weeks of pregnancy to aid in childbirth. Sometimes they are used separately and sometimes together. You are to never use them in the first, second or first part of the third trimester, but they are used a lot the last few weeks.
friendlyjas
05-11-2009, 08:21 AM
Can you point me somewhere with more info on these teas and herbs.
My first labor was very quick and easy, so I'm not sure these things would be good or safe for me to take. Although, i am expecting this labor to be longer, although I Have no real reason for thinking that other than it is just a feeling I have.
mandikaake
05-11-2009, 08:27 AM
Can you point me somewhere with more info on these teas and herbs.
My first labor was very quick and easy, so I'm not sure these things would be good or safe for me to take. Although, i am expecting this labor to be longer, although I Have no real reason for thinking that other than it is just a feeling I have.
This one below is midwives talking back and forth.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/herbs.html
JellEBeanDesigns
05-11-2009, 08:29 AM
RRL and Calcium Magnesium to prevent preterm labor/contrax. RRL is for obvious reasons MW is making a whole list for me tho
friendlyjas
05-11-2009, 09:21 AM
Thanks! The links were helpful! I'm considering the red raspberry leaf tea for now. If I make it to 38 weeks, I may consider some of the others. (My first was born at 35 weeks and my second was born at 37. My goal is to get to 38 weeks this time! Last time my goal was 37 weeks and I made it. So, hopefully it will work again! If my VBAC is successful, 37 weeks wouldn't be terrible!)
Mamatoabunch
05-11-2009, 10:15 AM
For now I take cal/mag, will start dandelion closer to start of third trimester.
At 34 weeks I will start PN-6, alfalfa, vitamin C, echinacea. At 37 weeks I start EPO and grape seed extract.
vlinderanna
05-11-2009, 10:53 AM
I still have a few weeks until I'm in the thirds trimester... I'll be drinking red raspberry leaf tea starting at about 35 weeks...
MommaRhi
05-11-2009, 01:42 PM
I don't take anything. My 2nd labor only lasted 3 hrs from water breaking, to in the car on the way to the hospital and having her come out. So, I am afraid to take anything!
I also am not big on herbals during pregnancy.
3rd trimester begins at 28 weeks, so I still have a few weeks to go. I can't wait to be in the home stretch!
life.sew.simple
05-11-2009, 05:38 PM
Yay for herbs! I have been drinking red rasp. leaf tea (it's a mixture actually) from the beginning. Also Mother To Be tea. My mw had me start taking evening primrose oil in the last weeks for my 2nd child and it was my quickest labor and delivery, very soft cervix. I did not do it last time (just forgot and different mw) but i will again this time. I'm very interested in the 5W if you can pm me a price. A homebirthing friend of mine said she loved that stuff! I also plan to take crampbark capsules or tea at the end of pregnancy, during labor, and then during the first few cramping nursing days. It made those after birth cramps so easy to bear. Aslo might start some coral calc. capsules durinf labor, maybe before also as I read that it helps make contractions more bearable.
Mamatoabunch
05-11-2009, 05:41 PM
Aslo might start some coral calc. capsules durinf labor, maybe before also as I read that it helps make contractions more bearable.
Yes it does, although I took liquid calcium.
MommaRhi
05-11-2009, 08:04 PM
:confused:
I asked my doctor about this, and he told me to never, ever take the blue cohosh when pregnant.... I guess it is not ok for me :(
That's blue cohosh. Black cohosh is different.
VWgurl619
05-12-2009, 08:05 AM
I'll be in my 3rd next week. I've been reading the natural childbirth book the bradley way since there are no classes around here. :-( I am thinking about that tea..but i don't know where to get it.
The*Fab*Four
05-12-2009, 08:49 AM
I'll be in my 3rd next week. I've been reading the natural childbirth book the bradley way since there are no classes around here. :-( I am thinking about that tea..but i don't know where to get it.
I got my Mother TO Be tea at my Giant grocery store in the Organic Tea section. I like it much better than the Red Raspberry tea.
ajjulian
05-12-2009, 04:07 PM
Hmmm... this is all new to me. What is 5W. I would love to have an easier and shorter labor :). Pushing is no problem (2 and my 9lber was here) but would love to make the labor process better! How much is the 5W? Curious.
joyful mother
05-13-2009, 11:21 AM
Here is the 5W formula
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/catalog/product/default.aspx?stocknum=1120
And here is a red raspberry leaf in capsule form
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/catalog/product/default.aspx?stocknum=560
And here is red raspberry tincture I've used the last 2 times.
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/catalog/product/default.aspx?stocknum=3425
Last labor would have went quicker if he wouldn't have had his head cocked! But the one before was only a few hours and we started labor at 7cm when we decided to strip my membranes.
If anyone lives in the Eastern WA north ID area and wants to avoid shipping I can also get them for you at wholesale.
5W can bring on more Braxton Hicks contractions to prepare your uterus, the warm up exercises that help shorten labor. Shortening Labor, walking into it half done is a very good thing~believe me!!! The Evening Primrose Oil will help soften the cervix.
This is from www.naturallyhealthy.org
Labor Prep Formula by TriLight Herbs– How Does It Work?
Q. Leslie Parish, of Spirit-Led Childbirth, gave me your e-mail address because I have some questions about the product you formulated called "Labor Prep". I have never used any herbal formula intended to enhance labor before (but did use blue & black cohosh to try to initiate it once), but I am considering doing just that for this up-coming fifth birth of mine.
I am living in Germany, land of herbal/homeopathic medicine, and my midwives do have their recommended herbs, etc, but when I mentioned that I have friends who have used PN6, and things like it, they expressed interest in learning more about it. Can you provide me info on the herbal formula in question? I suppose that they would like to know what it contains, the purpose of each herb, dosing, known risks/side effects, etc. I am nearly 32 weeks pregnant.
Thank you!
Susan
A. Susan, The Labor Prep formula is an herbal formula that has been used by naturopaths for over 100 years to prepare women for birth. The formula does not function like PN-6 or 5-W as those formulas work to increase Braxton-hicks contractions to give the uterus a “work-out” for preparation. Some women have plenty of Braxton-hicks on their own (like me) and herbs to increase those preparatory contractions only function to make those women uncomfortable and unable to rest at night. The Labor Prep formula’s function is to utilize herbs to soften the cervix and make the cervix more pliable and ready for childbirth. The formula contains the herbs: blue cohosh, squaw vine, false unicorn and black haw. I find this formula particularly useful for those women who have a difficult time dilating during labor or those with a rigid cervix. There are no known risks to using these herbs at 35 weeks gestation at the recommended dosage of 1-3 teaspoons daily. I used this formula with my fifth child’s birth after two previous cervical lacerations and hemorrhages with previous births. My Zeb was 9 lbs., 4 oz. (a full pound and two ounces larger than my previous babies that I had the lacerations with) with not even a tiny tear in sight. I dilated more quickly in the first stage than ever before, due in some part to this being a fifth baby. I really felt it to be quite helpful. Labor Prep is a Mother’s Choice formula, available from Tri-Light Herbs at 1-800-HERB-KID or www.trilightherbs.com
Master Gland formula for Initiating Labor
Q. Your book does not state who this product is made by. If you could let me know I would appreciate it.
A. The product Master Gland, used by many midwives to help get labor started in a post-dates mom, is made by Nature’s Sunshine Products in Utah. The usual recommended dosage is 1-2 tablets every thirty minutes for 2-3 hours, then 2 tablets every 2 hours. If headache or nausea occurs at this dosage, discontinue for the day and resume at half the dosage the next day.
The doctors books do say don't use some of these herbs and that they are dangerous in pregnancy BUT the reason why is they can bring on labor and a very fast labor. You wouldn't want Pitocin early in pregnancy but they give it all the time to induce labor. So it is good to find out why it isn't recommended. There is another herb that is not recommended cause it can raise your blood pressure ~ well not a problem here as mine always runs low but for a women with high blood pressure especially during pregnancy you wouldn't want it to go up but for me it was a great option cause most of the other OTC drugs or herbs I could have used had a side effect of lowering blood pressure.
mandikaake
07-02-2009, 03:51 PM
Bumping this for two reasons.
1. So we can remember what we were planning on doing in the end. Rofl! I totally forgot.
2. Because I found out from my midwife that one of the herbs in the 5w can for a very few women cause the blood to thin. Totally not what I want to deal with. So, I think I'll steer clear of it for now. I'll just keep up on my pg exercises, red raspberry and evening primrose oil (i'll start in about 2 weeks or so).
Lexy
07-02-2009, 07:02 PM
I can't wait to start my EPO...I started the tea a cpl days ago, but only a cup...because I have been forgetting to make it all day until night time!
VWgurl619
07-02-2009, 07:29 PM
I have the tea, but i keep forgetting to drink it..im more concentrated on my fiber drinks right now. :giggle:
MommaRhi
07-02-2009, 10:38 PM
Trying to think if I can get up the nerve to stomach the RRL tea. I know i've had it before and I just don't like it.
I will be 33 weeks Saturday. Would I begin anything now? I'd either be going for a VBAC or a c-section on 8/14 if she doesn't come before then. I will not be induced for a VBAC so I am making the decision to do the c-section on the 14th of Aug if she isnt here by then.
Lexy
07-03-2009, 05:37 AM
Rhiana- RRL is supposed to be extremely beneficial to VBAC moms especially since it tons the uterus (and we have obviously had incisions on ours!) I must be one of the only ones that doesn't think the tea is gross at all, I don't think it taste like anything though! Tea you can start anytime....as for other things like EPO, wait a little bit longer.
mandikaake
07-03-2009, 06:57 AM
I mix my rr leaf tea with peppermint and then chill it. My kids even love it. I just sweeten it a bit with agave or honey. I do 5 parts rr per 1 part peppermint.
