Herbal Treatments for Labor and Delivery

I did not try either but one thing I can recommend is laboring is water if possible! It makes a world of difference and helps with relaxing, (just don't get the water too hot) the more relaxed you are the easier it is to handle the contractions. It also relieves the weight of the belly through the contractions:o)

Congratulations!
S.

Can't help with the herbal stuff, but I can say that second labor may not be so bad. My first was 36 hours--and I didn't start counting til I was 2 min apart. With my second, I was already a 4 by the time I arrived at the hospital and my baby was born within 3 hours. GOOD LUCK!

My first labor was super long too, it went on from Thurs 11a.m. to Sat 5 a.m. delivery, because I wanted to avoid c- secttion as best I could. My second was about 5 hours and my third and fourth were even shorter. Good Luck with delivery.

I have no idea on the herbal labor stuff... My advice to you is to try to focus on the beautiful litte life you have growing inside you, and relax. Yes it is scary to remember the long hours and pain of the first child, but each one is different. Nothing will insure a completely pain free delivery, and creating in your mind that it might be possible, will just disappoint you when the time comes, and possibly cause you more distress.
I had four pregnancies, resulting in four babies... The first three I swore I wouldn't have an epidural, and I didn't...Baby number three was bigger than the first two and came really fast, but I recovered quickly and had no tearing (had an episiotomy with the first two, idiot male Dr.) Though baby number three was bigger I didn't tear because the nurse did the massage around the baby's head as she was crowning... I was feeling tired but great a couple hours after having her. Baby number four I caved and had an intrathical (not sure on spelling) which was similar to an epidural, but is just a shot in the epidural space and has a shorter life (only lasts a couple of hours) But oh my goodness it was wonderful. This was the first of my babies that I enjoyed the birth. I was able to relax and know what was happening instead of fighting the pain. Each experience was wonderful in it's own way. I'd do it all over agin for the children I have (even though two are teens and some days I might think otherwise, lol). That pain, even if you are looking at several hours of intense labor, is such a short span for the miracle of bringing a life into the world. Look at it in a positive manner and find something to help you breath and relax. Being happy, content, and breathing deeply will help with the pain as much as anything. I loved having my babies... Enjoy this experience, and be careful about using "herbal" stuff without checking with your doctor. Happy Baby!

I did the Raspberry tea and the primrose oil too and I still had 30 hours of delivery on my first kid...second kids tend to go much faster. I would recommend talking this over with your OB...I was not thrilled to be pregnant a second time with many of the same concerns you had...neither of my kids wanted to vacate the premises early. So my daughter (2nd born) needed to be induced and she came FLYING out! (literally...induced at noon, contractions started hard at 1:30, 2:00 was at 3 cm and by 2:30 she was crowning). For me the pain was the worst...I still can't bring myself to get pregnant again to go through the pain.

Whatever method you do decide to do, make sure you inform your OB and the hospital staff what you have been taking as some things can make you bleed more (I had that problem with my first born). Good luck.

B. I am going to give you the advice that I would give my own daughter at this time. The first thing you need to know is that the first labour is almost always longer than any other. My first was 12 hours long, the second was 4 and the thrid was 3.5. So shortening your labor maybe a natural consequence of it being your second pregnancy. Ask your doctor and he or she will verify that the second labor is almost always shorter.

The next thing I would suggest is to think about natural remedies as you would any other item that you ingest. I am an advocate for natural remedies over drugs when applicable. I use them myself instead of drug therapy. However, just because soemthing is natural does not mean you should ingest it. I can think of mushrooms that I would not ingest, I would not eat mistle toe, and although some people use them for medicinal purposes I would not use the pit of a peach. all of these items are used by people but they are also not healthy, although they are completly natural.

With that said, when you are pregnant it is not a time to experiment with something you are unsure of. When I was pregnant I did drink raspberry tea through out my pregnancy, knowing that it had a good reputation through many years and many women. However I also knew the warnings that it could increase the chances of early labor if you used it during the last month of your pregnancy. I stopped drinking during the last 5 weeks. I did this knowing that there was chance that it could produce early labor, only a chance was enough for me.

Be careful when some one tells you that something cant hurt you because it is all natural. Be very careful. All natural is great way to go, but it is not a safety net for all things natural.

I drank red rasberry tea 4 times a day & took Evening Primrose Oil 1300mgs. My labor lasted 4hrs & 2 pushes. I was actually using these things to get my labor started but after looking up information online about these things I found out that they help prepare your body for a quick easy labor as well. If you get to the point that you go past your due date you can also place the Evening Primrose capsules in your vagina before bed.

I am very into the homebirth and natural delivery mentality. I have had 4 hospital and 3 homebirths, some planned, others were change of plans. Anyway, by no means makes me any authority, but I did want to add my "credentials" to responding to this post. I really believe that women are made to birth, without intervention whether in the hospital or at home. You can have a homelike birth at the hospital, and vice versa. The safest and best thing to have while pregnant to make an easier and safer birth either way you choose is "Pregnancy Tea" from the health food store. That has red raspberry leaf tea and alfalfa. 1 cup per day per trimester. If you don't like the tea, they have capsules. I would add Vitamin C if you have a history of PROM, or water breakage early in labor.That helps ease the discomfort to have an intact BOW. Alfalfa helps if you have any history of bleeding too much. RRL makes your ctx more effective. I would REALLY avoid any of the cohoshes, which that 5W has in it. They can make you bleed too much or make the placenta detach too soon, too soon being at the time of or before the baby. But, I do know of women who swear by the 5W. If you are having a hospital birth, it may be okay, because you have all the technology there, but with a homebirth, I would stick with the safe stuff. I would also say from experience, that if you are planning on a homebirth, I would make sure you take the RRL or pregnancy tea. With a second, your chances of hemmorrage are pretty slim, but you want an easier birth. Having a place that you are comfortable usually aids an shorter labor and easier birth, so be sure of where you want to birth and with whom. Extra people there can also slow things down. Make sure to be in an upright position most of the labor and especially the delivery. Be in the most comfortable position for YOU at the time YOU are delivering. Every birth is different, so position may be different too. When my baby lied near my back, I wanted to be more forward, and one was more near the front, so I wanted to be somewhat reclined. KWIM? If it would be easier without your DH even, that may be something you can explore. Some women prefer a doula or another woman to be there to help, and some husbands don't know how to help their wives no matter how much you try to tell them :) My Dh is a WONDERFUL father, but would forgo the birth part every time if I let him. LOL He is good at cleaning things up before and after, and would rather do that. If he is more comfortable, so you will be too. I personally wouldn't try an epidural, I have a problem with needles, but I don't usually have long labors, but you already know that is an option, except it can make it longer and lead to other interventions. They say Tylenol PM can help a puttering labor, to get a few Zs, but that would be early in the game. that is all I can think of. Also, if it is prodromal labor, and you aren't sure it is the real thing, they say a wine cooler or a small glass of wine with a bath can help and determine that, or give you a break until it really kicks in. I know many may get upset at that idea, but MANY drs agree, young and old (especially the older ones LOL). HTH

My advice is to not take it. None of that stuff is proven and your body will do what it's going to do whether you take it or not. My first labor was 32 hours, my second was 19 hours. Yea it was shorter! Not quite what I was expecting tho. I ended up with epidurals for the last 6 hours on my first, and the last 4 on my second. I would skip the herbal stuff and hire a doula instead. Make sure she knows massage!

Thirty hours isn't actually very long for a first labor, and your second is bound to be shorter naturally. I would stick with herbal remedies that are pure (like raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil) versus some compounds that are mixed up and sold under the guise of shortening labor. They'll tell you anything you want to hear, and none of it is proven. Any good midwife will be able to help you. And of course moving around, not getting an epidural, not getting an IV, and actually not being in a hospital will all shorten labor.

You have to becareful on herbal remedies they can induce labor cause you to lose baby and other harmful effects if taking the wrong products check with your OB is what I would say.I know of elders who did castor oil to begin their labors and was great succes others not it was horrible for them.

I had my last 2 children taking 5W. They were both text book births! I also took Vita E & Vita C and drank tons of water. I tore so bad with my third child that my midwife said to make sure they repaired me after my fourth. I didn't tear at all & he was bigger! Vita E & C help with skin pliability. Also, I remember good info about evening primrose oil. I labored in a tub of hot water...the equivalent of an epidural (which I had with my first). I had my last two without medication. Good luck. My labor was not any shorter but my body progressed naturally. I only had about 30 minutes of the really bad pain. 19 hours of labor, but bearable. I didn't have to have I.V.'s or monitors (by my choice) I ate, drank, soaked in tub until my water broke...dont be afraid to state what you want.....unless there is some serious complication that needs intervention...also...my last 2 babies were V-bac!!!!I can't say enough about 5W! PS 5W has been around for at least 14 years. My two children born after using it are my smarter gifted children. They are so much more alert without drugs. I believe it made a notable difference. I had my last child at St. Lukes on the plaza with a midwife in a doctor practice. She had no problem with me taking it. I have not seen any harm to my children from taking it...It is imperative to note it should only be taken the last 5 weeks of pregnancy though.

I don't know about those particular formulas. I did drink a lot of raspberry leaf tea, during my pregnancy and a little bit just before active labor began. It is supposed to tone the uterus muscle somehow. I don't know if it worked, but I did have a pretty quick labor - once it really started. I was also able to be pretty active until the very end of my pregnancy, which helped with muscle tone too. I think that is key - strong muscles.