Does your mw ask you to do routine herbs/homeopathics/supplements? - Page 2

[MsBlack]

Hey, thanks a bunch everyone--

I must say I'm surprised that so few report being 'expected' or 'policed' LOL about taking certain things. Over time I've heard just enough mws in my acquaintance (only a few IRL, more online) talk about having "all my clients take xyz" that I began to suspect this was fairly common among hb mws. I'm very glad that this is not necessarily the case.

The question arose for me as a spinoff of some thinking I"ve been doing about herbs/supplements use--something that has become pretty hugely popular in recent years. I was away from midwifery for a number of years--upon my return 3yrs ago, I find 2 things: one is that there are a GIGANTIC number of companies and products now available in the 'natural' realm--not all of which seem to be all that well founded in solid understanding of herbs/nutrition and health (more founded in hype and profit, I daresay). 2nd thing is that of course, a lot more people are using these products--some seemingly wisely, some not-so. Main point being that herbs and nutrition supplements have hit the Mainstream in a really big way--and for the most part I am very glad to see that people are taking the use of these things into their own hands (with reservations concerning wise use....).

And I have a lot of questions about this--I think our knowledge and wisdom concerning this stuff is still in very formative stages (generally speaking). Anyway, thanks again for posting your responses--I appreciate it Still thinking away..... any other comments, etc, still much welcome here.

[kalirush]

My mw suggested I take a prenatal and fish oil, and also RRL. I think she'd probably recommend those generally. She also recommended a few things on the basis of my specific situation. She definitely wouldn't argue too hard with me if I decided to nix the RRL or some of the other things. Probably she'd be upset with me if I stopped the prenatal, but that's about it.

[BrooklynDoula]

None of the HB MWs that I work with require anything (or super strongly suggest) but they offer suggestions in special situations. Thyme tea, EPO, RRL, comfrey or aloe (pp), etc. Hospital based MWs are doing much more EPO and castor oil in my experience here in NYC.

[Belle]

Our midwives don't "require" anything. But they did have some herbal suggestions for specific symptoms. I took floridix calcium-magnesium on their suggestion because I was having leg cramps. It worked great at getting rid of them. They asked if I was taking any prenatals and documented that I could only stomach taking the folic acid.

They also suggested having on hand for the birth kit, Emergen-C, Calendula tincture, and rescue remedy.

[phatchristy]

They don't *require* anything, but if you ask them they'll tell you what they reccommend/sell.

They do believe that some of the pre-labor blends do make for less post term and easier labors and births...so they do sell 5W. So many other things I have asked about, like RRL, EPO, etc. in the past. I think if I ask about it though, it's not like they're pushing it on me. And, there's no way for me to know if they do this with clients who are less well read on pregnancy/birth.