Midwives often use herbal remedies to start contractions or to ready the uterus and cervix for labor. While many herbs can stimulate uterine contractions, some should not be used in pregnancy. Herbs should be used only at the time during pregnancy and in the doses given by your medical practitioner. Never take herbal remedies to start contractions without your medical practitioner's approval; doing so could harm you or your baby.
Professional Use
In 1999, The University of West Virginia sent surveys to certified nurse-midwives who were members of members of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The University published the results in the May-June 1999 "Journal of Nurse-Midwifery." Of the 172 usable surveys returned, 90 midwives reported that they used herbal remedies and 82 reported they did not. Midwives who used herbs were slightly younger and more likely to deliver at home or at birthing centers rather than in the hospital. Midwives in the survey who used herbs both prescribed them directly and also indirectly suggested them to patients to use.
Types
The types of herbs used most often to start labor in the University of West Virginia study in 1999 included castor oil, utilized by 93 percent; blue cohosh, used by 64 percent; red raspberry leaf, used by 63 percent; evening primrose oil, used by 60 percent and black cohosh, used by 45 percent. Evening primrose oil was the herb most often studied in midwifery school. Seventy-five percent of CNMs who used herbs to stimulate contractions used herbs before traditional labor-stimulating drugs such as pitocin.
Adverse Effects
According to a 2003 study published in "Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery" by British midwife Denise Tiran of the University of Greenwich, blue cohosh should not be used in labor due to possibly causing lack of oxygen in the fetus as well as possibly increasing the risk of cardiac problems in the fetus. Black cohosh should be used cautiously; many suggest not using black cohosh at all for pregnant women, Tiran warns. Red raspberry leaf tea should be taken only in the third trimester and should not be taken at all by women with a history of previous pre-term delivery or women with previous uterine surgery.
Studies
Studies to support the use of herbs to start contractions are sparse. A 2001 Cochrane Review, the only available study on the use of castor oil, was small and poorly done; the study showed all women who took castor oil felt nauseous and there was no difference in cesarean section deliveries, meconium staining or Apgar scores at five minutes, Dr. AJ Kelly of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reported. A 1988 study reported in "Critical Care Medicine" by J.S. Steingrub of Baystate Medical Center, reported a case of amniotic fluid embolism, a life-threatening complication, after castor oil administration. A 2007 Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health article by Bryan P. Bayles, Ph.D of the University of Texas Health Science Center states, red raspberry leaf and blue and black cohosh all have potentially dose-related paradoxical relaxation and stimulation effects on the uterus.
References
- Birthsource: Herbs
- "Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery:" The Use of Herbs by P regnant and Childbearing Women: a Risk--Benefit Assessment Denise Tiran; 2003
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Methods for Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor
- PubMed.gov:Castor Oil, Bath and/or Enema for Cervical Priming and Induction of Labour
- PubMed: Amniotic Fluid Embolism Associated with Castor Oil Ingestion
- "Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health:" Herbal and Other Complementary Medicine Use by Texas Midwives; Bryan P. Bayles, Ph.D; September-October 2007
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