pre-birth blood loss prevention??? and other questions

[briome]

Hi, I'm planning my second HBAC in the next few weeks. I was wondering if any one noticed an improvement in recovery in a second vaginal birth (obviously if nothing else odd happened in comparison) I also tend to bleed a lot because of large placentas and 9 pound plus babies. What are some herbals or supplements that might help that?

I'm feeling pretty good about the birth i'm just trying to manage some of the fatigue post birth that I got!

[Plummeting]

Angelica (dong quai) and shepherd's purse are both commonly used to reduce postpartum blood loss.

[sweeetpea]

my mw recommends alfalfa and nettle supplements to build up blood (improve vitamin k levels, etc) before birth, which will help reduce postpartum bleeding.

[MyFillingQuiver]

I second both of the PP recommendations.

It sounds like you are mostly looking for herbals to use before the birth. The nettle and alfalfa are great. In the third trimester I like to drink loads of RRL tea mixed with nettle tea, and take alfalfa supplements. Additionally, chlorophyll has REALLY seemed to become a favorite for many midwives for the last trimester. It helps to build blood stores, and seems to even help clotting. I had read in Midwifery Today (I believe?) about how many midwives had seen reductions in PPH and heavy bleeding in their "heavy bleeding" clients with the use of chlorophyll in the last trimester and post partum.

My last pregnancy was a VBA2C, and the first time I had done this regimen. It was my lowest amount of blood loss out of my 5 births, and the fastest my lochia had gone away! I felt SO great. I bled less than my c-sections or other 2 vaginal births..it really helped to not feel so wiped out afterward! My baby was 8 lbs 10 oz, and I had a gargantuan and healthy placenta.

I'm going to do the same thing again with this pg.

Best wishes to you mama!

[briome]

Does chlorophyll come in pills or what? Thanks everyone!

[ColwynsMommy]

For my third birth, I drank red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, and nettle tea daily (slowly increasing the amount of RRL throughout the pregnancy). I let it steep overnight for about 12 hours, so I guess it was more like an infusion. I made my own mix with loose leaf herbs, but I'm pretty sure you can get at least the alfalfa and nettle as pills.. not sure about the RRL. My midwife was amazed at how little I bled, and my postpartum bleeding was over much quicker than with my previous two births.

Doing the same again this time, and hoping to say a big "So there!" to my OB who is positive I'll have a PPH just because it's my fourth, and thus thinks I'll end up transfering after the birth.

[mommyfied]

I didn't have a ton of bleeding after my first, but the flow lasted about 3 weeks. The second time around, I drank RRL tea with alfalfa and nettle from the 2nd tri on. I drank tons of it. My bleeding was relatively light... probably half that of the first time... and it stopped at 1 week PP! I gave birth on a Sunday, and the following Sunday was the last day I had bleeding. I had some spotting off and on after that but not much.

So... I'm guessing the tea was good for me. I haven't drank as much this time... I'm trying to kick it up now that I'm in my 3rd tri!

I brew my tea from the loose herbs I get from Bulk Herb Store. They have a pregnancy blend.

Oh, and I had a precipitous birth which raises the risk of PPH. I remember my midwife commenting to her asst about the bleeding and her seeming surprised. (They arrived after the birth.)

[MovingMomma]

The Bulk Herb Store is a Pearl family business. Please think twice before sending them your money. They advocate abusive "discipline" practices. Here's an article.

[Gena 22]

Originally Posted by sweeetpea

my mw recommends alfalfa and nettle supplements to build up blood (improve vitamin k levels, etc) before birth, which will help reduce postpartum bleeding.

Mine did too, and I took capsules for a couple weeks before birth because my mom had a lot of PPH. No comparison since I've only birthed once, and I did bleed a lot PP, but not dangerous amounts. My recovery was pretty easy.

Definitely give alfalfa a shot!