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Herbal Wisdom:  Starting labor?  |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 17 2008 : 8:00:23 PM
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With this talk of morning sickness and how ginger can start labor I am wondering if there are any other tricks to start labor? I tend to go overdue and I think around the baby's due date (in three weeks) I would like to try some natural things to kick start labor. Any hints?
-Elizabeth |
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Patty MorningRamble
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Patty
Keene
TX
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2008 : 8:15:43 PM
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In the last six weeks of pregnancy I would take Sqaw vine capsules. It is what native american women took in the last stages of pregnancy to make labor short and effective.
My babies came fast less than 2 hours from start to finish of labor, and I was back to normal in no time at all. Its not easy to find in some areas, but it works so well in my experience. But it must only be taken in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Babies come when they are meant to come if there are no problems. So many of the old tricks of helping an over due mom go into labor have risks, such as taking castor oil. A warm bath and a long walk will get labor going if you are ready to go. So many Doctors now try to rush nature.
I have seen more than a few babies born 2 weeks late with wonderfully healthy placentas.
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 06:29:45 AM
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Elizabeth, I have late babies, too, (Zoe was 2 weeks late-UC homebirth and only a 2 hour start to finish labor that had no pain-REALLY!) and don't really advise much of anything aside from uterine toning, like RRL tea, Sqaw Vine, and taking by mouth and using on your belly Evening Primrose Oil. You can even go as far as using EPO inside your vagina and on your cervix to help ripen. It's nice to have your husband help that process. You can get some good perineal massage in then, too. If you desire to use and can't find Sqaw Vine, let me know as I keep some in my bag and could send some to you ;) Like Patty said, it IS hard to find sometimes.
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~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
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http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
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"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 07:24:09 AM
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Thanks for the tips. I am all for natural pregnancy and labor but towards the end I get so tired of being pregnant that it would be nice to see if something works - though I know babies come when they want to! I have been drinking lots of Red Raspberry Tea (I'm drinking a glass of it iced right now). I will look for the Squaw Vine around here...does it just come in tablets or is there tea is well? Which is best? Also, with the Evening Primrose Oil - is that capsules? How many should I take? Can that be found at Walmart? Thanks!
-Elizabeth |
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Patty MorningRamble
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Patty
Keene
TX
USA
65 Posts |
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 1:14:09 PM
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Hi Elizabeth
Many ( Many many  ) years ago I was a midwife assistant. At that time I was 3 weeks past due and dilated to 4 for two weeks . Needless to say I was READY to have that baby. We had tried several things that did not work then my midwife told me to go ahead and do the castor oil/orange juice/ hot shower. I had seen it used over the two years I worked with her and it ALWAYS worked. Now the rule is that you can not do this until you are at least one week past the due date. Then you take 1 oz of castor oil in 4 oz of oj. Swallow and then get in a hot shower for 10 minutes. Repeat every 4 hours upto 4x.
My experience was I was so sick from the castor oil I went into labor. All I know is that it worked for me and our 4th child was born in 25 minutes at home!
small farms give big benefits |
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Patty MorningRamble
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Patty
Keene
TX
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 1:41:34 PM
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Regardless of the debate over castor oil causing merconium to be a problem, I took it...with root beer to cut the oil aspect of it, took a warm bath, went for a mile hike, 10 days over due and went to bed, woke up a 6 am water broken, contractions 2 minutes apart, had the baby in 30 minutes of arriving at the birthing center. I had also taken squaw vine in the last couple weeks of my due date. My daughter was born so fast, 2 pushes, that her blood vessels in her eyes all broke. I got up off the bed in 15 minutes, took a shower and walked to my room.
Pretty easy birth.
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 2:37:00 PM
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I wish I had this site when my daughter was born 2 1/2weeks late. All of the natural methods, that I never knew existed...
I ate spicy meals, walked for miles, rode over railroad tracks. We tried everything everyone suggested. I was miserable, and some health issues were starting to be a concern.
My doctor had me induced- she hooked me up to an IV. After a while, when nothing happened and cranking up the IV, she broke my water for me, and then things moved very fast.
I popped Her Highness right out. I felt great after I had her; I could have run a marathon afterwards. My labor was short, and I pushed her out in three pushes. She came out pouting, it was hysterical, I have pictures. I guess she really didn't want to come out!
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2008 : 07:34:21 AM
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This is definitely not an herbal remedy, and maybe it was just coincidence, but with my 3rd one, I was at my due date, and wanted to make sure the house was clean when I had to go to the hospital. I washed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, and within 1/2 hour of finishing it, I went into labor! She was born 6 hours later.
Lori |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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N Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
102 Posts
Marie
Seattle
Washington
USA
102 Posts |
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Patty MorningRamble
True Blue Farmgirl
65 Posts
Patty
Keene
TX
USA
65 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 19 2008 : 06:03:57 AM
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Marie- That was what terrified me about having kids as well, in fact I had even gone so far to say I never wanted to have kids- because of that fear! But really, I think the really horrible stories are the true minority. Labor was an experience, but this fraidy cat is ready and willing to plan for another baby already! :D It's hard to believe, but the second they are out you really could get up and run around!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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fionalovesshrek
True Blue Farmgirl
186 Posts
Paige
kinston
North Carolina
USA
186 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 2:23:31 PM
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Two of my boys came within four hours of shopping at WalMart. Not sure what the "moral to the story" there is, but I joke that pushing a cart in a mega mart will get a boy out everytime!
P~
living a good neighbor life |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2008 : 9:12:05 PM
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Funny this topic came up! I'm hangin out at my daughters right now-shes almost 10 days overdue with little Ani Rose! shes drinking lots of Rasberry leaf tea and taking lots of walks! We are just trying to keep her occupied-babies will come when they are ready! keep ya posted!
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller
http://www.thebodyshopathome.com/web/dcole1 |
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 5:14:09 PM
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| I am 35 weeks pregnant. Is that too early to start natural preparations for labor... as far as herbs and teas and such??? |
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 02:24:20 AM
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| Okay, thanks for the advice. I don't know a lot about herbs, so I didn't know if it would take some time to work... but I'm glad you said to wait until 38 weeks... I want a very healthy baby. |
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theresa333
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Theresa
MI
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 4:35:21 PM
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I am an OB GYN. This is very interesting reading ladies. I am learning quite a lot.
I usually recommend she reicieve a nice full body massage, pedicure, and new hairdo; followed with a nice meal served in bed, perhaps with a movie of her choice on TV. Warm bubble baths are especially nice when you can hear him running the vacuum or helping the kids get ready for bed...
I try to keep emphasizing how well this technique works. It may require days of effort on his part; they must keep trying.
Sex is a good labor starter, if it is "good" sex...I let her define that.
Forget the bumpy road with pick up truck/ no springs; castor oil is nasty; make this a baby to remember!!
Sincerely,
Doc Holladay
www.doctorholladay.com
PS Good nutrition, prayer and a supportive environment count a lot too!!
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:16:35 PM
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| Theresa, sounds GREAT to me!!! |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:30:47 PM
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Cecily-
If you haven't been drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea I would really recommend you start it now. It doesn't start labor but it helps strengthen your uterus which helps makes your contractions more productive.
I didn't need to try anything to start this labor. I gavebirth one day after my due date so I wasn't a week overdue like the others (though I know a normal pregnancy can go up to 42 weeks so it really isn't "overdue"). I think the midwife stripped the membranes at the last appointment though, and this labor was very strange and difficult (with contractions never becoming regular, even when I was fully dilated and pushing they were 5-10 minutes apart) so I am very upset about that. I am going to ask her flat out at my six week check up (next week) if she did indeed strip the membranes. 
-Elizabeth
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2008 : 6:45:20 PM
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| Elizabeth, Thank you so much for the advice. I will definately start drinking the tea. Is there a certain way I should fix it, or can I just drink it hot and/or iced? |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 11:05:50 AM
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There is no certain way that it needs to be fixed. In the winter I brew it for five to ten minutes in hot water, in the summer I make it by the sun tea method. Iced is great too. You can continue drinking it after birth as well!
-Elizabeth |
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2008 : 6:12:55 PM
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| Great! Thanks! |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2008 : 12:14:59 PM
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This is too late for the original poster, but perhaps someone else can benefit from it. With my first preganancy my dula suggested evening primrose capsules as a vaginal suppository (once I passed my due date). With my second preganancy, my nurse/midwife suggested Red Raspberry Leaf Tea that someone else here suggested. I drank it couple times a day (kinda of inconsistently) starting about a month before my due date. My midwife said it would tone my uterus. I'll say! My son came a week late and was born with only an hour after the onset of labor. The labor was VERY efficient and pushing was not a problem. In fact we never made it to the hospital and my husband delivered him on our stairs--but that's a whole other story.
For those of you who've expressed some fear about childbirth...let me just say its the most natural thing in the world if you can keep away from medical intervention. Now that I've been through it, hearing someone say that they're afraid of childbirth (and I was one of them--I was 35 when my first child was born) is like saying that your fearful of having a bowel movement. It's just comes naturally.
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are" |
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BarnChickCecily
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
Cecily
Corydon
IN
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - Jul 04 2008 : 7:57:39 PM
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Celeste, thank you so much for your post... it made me feel better. I haven't been worried about the labor, but everyone keeps saying things like, "oh, you just wait, you will be screaming for pain relief!" and then a lady told me today, "women say they think they can handle labor, until they actually go into labor." I don't even tell people anymore that I plan to do this all naturally. It's really none of their business anyway and I'm tired of their thoughtless comments. I am aware that it will probably hurt very badly, but it is a natural process and it's not pain from something that is wrong... it's pain that is inevitable and knowing this helps me to relax about it a little more. I am due any day now...wish me luck and say a prayer
Farmgirl Sister # 241
www.thebarnchick.blogspot.com/ |
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Herbal Wisdom: Starting labor? |
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Starting labor?
