Herbal inductions?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2006
Herbal inductions?
3
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 3:45pm
38 weeks now and going to for another appt tomorrow and will have my membranes sweeped again (done at 37 wks and gave me contracts but no baby). Wondering if anyone has any ideas for some herbal things to try. I used castor oil with my first and would like to avoid that if possible (not pleasant). I have heard some people talk about Red Raspberry tea. Any ideas?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2006
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 4:00pm
Although we would all like to go a little early, try to just be patient. Your baby will come in his (or her) own time. You still have 2 weeks before you are due anyway - and remember that you could go as long as 42 weeks!! I do hear that sex may help to induce labor (it is the semen moreso than the act itself) but this hasn't been proven or anything. Good luck - I hope you get to go early (or at the very least on time) without having to do anything special at all! But if not, take heart in knowing that every day spent inside of you makes for a healthier, more developed baby.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2006
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 4:41pm
I guess I should have mentioned in my original post that I used the castor oil once my son was 6 days late. The great thing about herbal inductions are that they only work if your baby and your body are ready. No harm no foul. Thanks for your concern but I am not trying to do anything ingnorant to hurt myself or my baby. Just wanting to help things along if they are ready (not at this moment, closer to 40 wks). Sorry I should have been more detailed in my original post. Thanks again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 6:58pm

If you're worried about going past your due date, you could ask your midwife about taking Caulophyllum to bring on contractions. Mine use this for natural inductions all the time. In fact, I took it the morning I went into labor (about 6 small pills an hour, but I only took them two or three times before realizing I was in labor and could stop). I ended up with a short, painless labor (thought they were Braxton Hicks until my MW told me I was already 8 centimeters LOL). The delivery, of course was another story, since Aila ended up being more than 10.5 pounds! ;) Anyway, something worth trying. I also used Red Raspberry Combo (pills you can get at any organic healthfood store ... not the same as the tea) with my last pregnancy, but I believe you have to take them for a few weeks prior to your due date for them to be of much use. Of course, my MW did mention that they could be used for natural induction as well, so it might be worth asking about. HTH

~Kelli


Powered by CGISpy.com