It is often confusing during pregnancy to know which herbal remedies are safe and which will harm your baby. Native Americans have used the root of the actaea racemosa, or black cohosh, for a number of ailments including relief of menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms. If you are pregnant, taking black cohosh could cause a miscarriage or preterm labor. Never take this supplement or any other without consulting your physician.
Black Cohosh
Found mostly in the shady woods of North America, black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family. Black cohosh purportedly works to help reduce symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness. It may also help with painful menstruation.
Miscarriage
Black cohosh stimulates uterine contractions and increases the risk of miscarriage. During your pregnancy, you should always carefully read the labels of herbal teas and supplements to ensure that they do not contain herbs such as black cohosh. This herb goes by many names so be sure to check for ingredients with names like black snakeroot, bugwort, bugbane and squawroot. Symptoms of miscarriage often include pain in the lower abdomen or back, passing tissue or clots through the vagina and vaginal bleeding. If you suspect a miscarriage you should call your physician immediately.
Inducing Miscarriage
Because of its effects on the uterus, some women use black cohosh, along with blue cohosh and dong quai, to attempt to induce a miscarriage. While these herbs may stimulate uterine contractions and widen the cervix, there is no guarantee of full expulsion of the products of conception. An incomplete miscarriage can cause a systemic infection known as sepsis. Medline Plus explains that symptoms of sepsis include fever, vaginal bleeding, cramping and foul-smelling discharge. Sepsis is a serious condition and, if left untreated, can result in death.
Warnings
Because of its ability to induce uterine contractions, some midwives and holistic practitioners use the herb to help induce labor in women who are at full term of their pregnancies. You should never attempt to induce labor on your own as this may put yourself and your baby at risk. The Office of Dietary Supplements explains that a case report exists regarding neurological complications in a baby after a midwife used black and blue cohosh to induce labor.
Considerations
Many supplements affect the uterus and cervix, increasing the risk of miscarriage. Often herbal supplements have many different common names and it is important to research any herb before use, especially when pregnant. The FDA does not regulate the safety, effectiveness or purity of herbal supplements and some herbs have contained traces of toxic metals, which can affect your pregnancy. Always consult your physician before using black cohosh or any herbal supplement during your pregnancy.
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