Christophers Birth Prep - PN-6

[soontobemommyof3]

I just ordered

Christophers Birth Prep

formally known as PN-6

I will be 37 weeks when it arrives, I've found that the dosage many midwives recommend is

• Week 34 of pregnancy - 1 capsule a day
• Week 35 of pregnancy - 2 capsules a day
• Week 36 of pregnancy - 3 capsules a day
• Week 37 of pregnancy - 4 capsules a day
• Week 38 of pregnancy - 5 capsules a day
• Week 39 of pregnancy - 6 capsules a day

I am wondering since I will already be 37 weeks should I start with 4 a day or do I still have to slowly work up to 4 a day?

If anyone took this what was your experience with it?

[Kedrosami]

I took it in my last pregnancy starting (if I recall) at 35 weeks. I had my baby at 39+4, 7-hour efficient labor, no tearing and a pretty quick recovery. However, I have no idea if any of that was due to the PN-6. I was also drinking RRL tea my whole pregnancy and took pretty good care of myself. Anyway, I did not notice any side effects whatsoever so my vote is that it certainly can't hurt!

As for the dosage, I'd probably work up to the 6/day but on an accelerated schedule, either start at 1/day and up the dosage every 3-4 days instead of a week, or start at 3/day and up the dosage once a week--but that's just my first thought. It's really a question for an herbalist!

[kawa kamuri]

I just ordered this (I'm 34w) and would also love to read some more thoughts on it. 

[treespeak]

I started taking Christopher's formula at 34 weeks with my first.  When I hit the 36 week mark (up to three capsules) I started feeling too much sensation in my cervix for my comfort.  So I discontinued taking it at that point. I ended up giving birth at 39 weeks. I don't know that I'll take it with my current pregnancy, though I might start later--say 38 weeks--and begin with one capsule a day.

[mommymidwife2b]

Any one else take it? I am curious now about your experiences while taking it. Did it cause a lot of false labor contractions?  

I am hesitant to take it because yesterday I had contractions 10 minutes apart for 2 1/2 hours accompanied by horrible back pain that peaked during contractions. I thought for sure it was the real thing and here I am still pregnant. I haven't been taking anything that would cause contractions. I do take EPO orally and vaginally, but that does not cause contractions. I just don't want to take something that is going to cause a ton of contractions that are not doing the real thing. 

I want to take it though, I want to see if it will really shorten my labor. 

[mommymidwife2b]

oh btw way I am OP. I accidently made a facebook account without realizing it would not correlate with my other account.

[Kedrosami]

Oops, I just realized that what I took was 5W, not PN-6--I'm not sure what the differences are so take my previous comment with a grain of salt! My understanding of 5W (not that you asked but I think PN-6 has similar ingredients) is that it mainly helps your body prepare for labor/birth and the subsequent healing stage by making your tissues elastic, strong and resilient and is not supposed to induce contractions at all.

EPO, on the other hand, is specifically used to induce labor! Do not take EPO until you are full term!!!

[Mamatoabunch]

I have taken it w/ my last 8 pregnancies. I have always started at 34 weeks, 1 capsule, increasing by 1 capsule each week until I am taking 6. My labors have been easy and quick, well most of them w/ little bleeding birthing the placenta. Most of my babies were born in the 39th week.

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by Mamatoabunch 

I have taken it w/ my last 8 pregnancies. I have always started at 34 weeks, 1 capsule, increasing by 1 capsule each week until I am taking 6. My labors have been easy and quick, well most of them w/ little bleeding birthing the placenta. Most of my babies were born in the 39th week.

Good to know!

What happens once you reach six a day and are still pregnant? Continue on with the six a day, right? And then taper back down after birth? I bet the bottle comes with instructions 

I have never had a baby before 41w+ and would love love love to gently encourage my body to turn this one loose before then and before I get antsy about risking out of HB. We'll see! 

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by kawa kamuri 

Good to know!

What happens once you reach six a day and are still pregnant? Continue on with the six a day, right? And then taper back down after birth? I bet the bottle comes with instructions 

I have never had a baby before 41w+ and would love love love to gently encourage my body to turn this one loose before then and before I get antsy about risking out of HB. We'll see! 

I have only reached the 39th week, and nothing to compare b/c my first pregnancy was twins and I didn't know about it, probably would not have taken it. They were 35 week babies. Anyway, I take 6 a day in the 39th week and it states not to take more than 6 a day, so stay at 6 pills. I have never taken any after the birth, no weaning down, just stopped.

Incidentally 

third 39 and 3

fourth 39 even

fifth 39 and 5

sixth 38 and 6

seventh 37 and 1

eighth 39 even

ninth 39 even

tenth 37 and 3

[kawa kamuri]

I ordered on Friday and they arrived on Monday. Awesome! Thanks for the info!

[BHappy]

my doula was questioning the use of pennyroyal, which is contained in this formula. it says 4:1 extract powder. i've read pennyroyal is an abortificant, and is contraindicated in pregnancy. does anyone have different information? i'm just on day two of taking it, haven't had any increase in contractions, and i'm in week 38, so not too concerned (i.e. i'm ready when baby is ready). but just want to be informed on what i'm taking !

thanks, all

[kawa kamuri]

I don't have info on pennyroyal but wanted to report that I'm on week 3 ( 3 capsules a day @ 26w5d) and haven't noticed an increase in anything that's not typical for me. 

[mommymidwife2b]

Just wanted to update. I took it a few times.. never as much as the bottle said. I had my baby girl naturally after 18+ hrs of labor at 40 wks 4 days. I wonder if I had taken iy faithfully if it would have helped or if it was just because of my daughters size ... 10 lbs 2 oz.   My previous labors were 15 and then 7 hrs... but they were pitocin babies so who knows.

[emmaegbert]

so basically this is a capsule version of RRL tea and other herbs? I agree that I've always heard that pennyroyal is an abortifactant and I wonder why that is in there... especially in something you are taking before you are full term... do your midwives tell you to take it? I just drink a nettle/RRL/alfalfa tea most days and leave it at that and stay otherwise healthy. In the end of my second pregnancy (delivered a 9lb baby at 40w4d in a labor less than 3 hours long, no tears and minimal bleeding) I did notice an increase in painless but somewhat uncomfortable contractions while drinking RRL tea.