As they near the end of their pregnancies, many pregnant woman try to prompt their bodies to go into labor. Some of them try black cohosh, a dietary supplement that is made from the roots and underground stems of a perennial plant, Cimicifuga racemosa or Actaea racemosa, which is a member of the buttercup family. Because of the effects black cohosh can have, it should only be used under the direction of an obstetrician or midwife who monitors the woman throughout its use.
Purpose
Black cohosh isn't used to start or intensify contractions. Instead, it is used to prepare the cervix for labor. The American Academy of Family Physicians says that whether or not black cohosh works is unknown. This is due to a lack of controlled studies. The only evidence that black cohosh works is case reports from patients who used black cohosh.
Types
Black cohosh is available in pill form and in tincture form that is either water- or alcohol-based. When you are using black cohosh to help begin labor, use the tincture form. Giving Birth Naturally recommends taking five to 10 tinctures every 1/2 hour in conjunction with taking 10 to 15 tinctures of blue cohosh every hour.
Alternatives
Some alternatives to using black cohosh to induce labor include having intercourse, walking, eating spicy foods and nipple stimulation, according to DrSpock.com. You can also ask your health-care provider if stripping your membranes will help induce your labor. This is usually done at the practitioner's office.
Considerations
Black cohosh is associated with blood thinning. If you are anemic or have a blood-clotting disorder, don't take black cohosh to induce labor. Additionally, there is a risk that you will suffer from increased bleeding at birth if you use black cohosh to induce labor.
Warning
Regardless of what method or combination of methods you use, including black cohosh, ensure that you are at full term in your pregnancy and that you have your health-care provider's approval before attempting to naturally stimulate labor. Trying to stimulate labor when your baby isn't full term may negatively affect your baby's health when she is born.
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