Herbs and activities to encourage labor - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[jbk21]

Originally Posted by dashley111 

I have to say, I have spent this whole pregnancy vomiting over nothing- I can imagine getting...prostagladins...in my mouth.  Not happening here.

I'm with you, Ash!!  Gag.  No thanks.  (i know, poor DH of mine.)  I just can't do it.  Ugh.  And sex is so stinking awkward I think DH is ready to throw in the towel and just be done with it.  Seriously.  Poor guy. 

So I guess I'll just stay pregnant forever.    LOL!

[Mal85]

Sex, for sure. DH has been deprived for a while now, so he's ready for this part!

Acupressure. MIL is a massage therapist and was giving us all kinds of pointers, showing us which pressure points stimulate the uterus and such. 

Last time, I did a lot of pineapple but it didn't seem to do anything.

Next week, when I go for my 38 week I'll likely ask for a membrane sweep depending on dilation. I was 1 cm at 36 weeks, so if she checks me next week and I've made any progress I'll ask her to do the sweep. I'll ask for the same at 39 weeks.

I will not do walking. I've had far too many people tell me that walking only works if you're already in labor. I just did a 13 hour shopping spree at 36 weeks and didn't even get a contraction out of it. So, no thanks.

Castor oil, I'd only do if I'm going to be induced anyway, as a last resort

I've officially reached a point at work where I can have the baby anytime now and still be paid through the Christmas holiday, going back to work after the first of the year. So, Operation Get the Baby Out can commence!

[Abraisme]

I really don't worry about ways to get the baby to come out.  I've never really done anything before and they've always come!  I think that babies will come out when they're ready and unless there's a medical need, there's no reason to push it.  I will probably dtd with dh (so far we're still doing it 1-2 times a week, but like J said, it's getting awkward!), and I already drink rrl tea and take epo.  I don't really have any expectation that those things will put me in labor sooner though..

However, with my DD, after my labor started I did a ton of walking and some nipple stimulation to help keep things moving along.  If I sat down, my contractions slowed, so I must have done 300 laps around my kitchen counter!  Ha ha.  My baby will come when she's ready, I can wait.  :)

[Jaimee]

How about this one: run a marathon! 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/a-marathon-runner-delivers-a-baby/

[TalkToMeNow]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

How about this one: run a marathon! 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/a-marathon-runner-delivers-a-baby/

Yeah, it's a good day for me if I manage to take the dog for a slow half mile walk. No marathons here.

What am I saying? I can't blame pregnancy. Even not pregnant the only way I'd run is if someone were chasing me.

[jbk21]

Originally Posted by TalkToMeNow 


Yeah, it's a good day for me if I manage to take the dog for a slow half mile walk. No marathons here.
What am I saying? I can't blame pregnancy. Even not pregnant the only way I'd run is if someone were chasing me.

Seriously I kind of think the marathoner was a little... crazy.  But that's just me.  I would never, ever run a marathon at 39 weeks pregnant.  

I also hate running though.  

[EonJourney]

I might try running a marathon (okay not quite a marathon but maybe start running again) I stopped running due to risk of preterm labor since I was measuring so huge at 19 weeks. I am now measuring 47 weeks at 35 weeks and have to have a c-sect if I don't start labor on my own in 1 week.

[MrsKatie]

Haha, my best friend sent me that article the day it came out with the message "I demand more from you."  I at least appreciate that the woman in the article was basically like "Look, I'm not normal, I'm insane about running."
 

Originally Posted by EonJourney 

I might try running a marathon (okay not quite a marathon but maybe start running again) I stopped running due to risk of preterm labor since I was measuring so huge at 19 weeks. I am now measuring 47 weeks at 35 weeks and have to have a c-sect if I don't start labor on my own in 1 week.

I stopped running because of intense RLP mixed with the constant feeling like I had to pee.  Before this pregnancy, running was basically my favorite thing in the world ever, and I can't wait to get back to it.  I ran 7-9 miles 5 or 6 days a week, and it was pure bliss.  So I might try a run along with you, Eon!  Just a block or two...

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by EonJourney 

I might try running a marathon (okay not quite a marathon but maybe start running again) I stopped running due to risk of preterm labor since I was measuring so huge at 19 weeks. I am now measuring 47 weeks at 35 weeks and have to have a c-sect if I don't start labor on my own in 1 week.

So, maybe try running again to get labor going?  Did your care providers say that going into labor would be risky for any reason?

[EonJourney]

I probably can not run more than 1 block right now but yes I would love to jump start labor to avoid the C -Sect.

So, maybe try running again to get labor going? Did your care providers say that going into labor would be risky for any reason?

[Jaimee]

Castor Oil studies

Castor Oil for Induction of Labor: Not Harmful, Not Helpful

Boel, Machteld Elisabeth; Lee, Sue Jean; Rijken, Marcus Johannes; Paw, Moo Koo; Pimanpanarak, Mupawjay; Tan, Saw Oo; Singhasivanon, Pratap; Nosten, François; McGready, Rose

Author Information

Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand; Department of Gynecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; and Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2009;49:499–503

ABSTRACT
Although published data on the safety and effectiveness of castor oil for the induction of labor are sparse, it is widely used for this purpose outside of medical settings, especially by American nurse-midwives. Its low cost, easy storage, and apparent safety contribute to its popularity. The results of 4 small clinical trials evaluating its safety and effectiveness for labor induction were contradictory.
This historical cohort investigated the safety and effectiveness of castor oil for induction of labor in women with an estimated gestation of more than 40 weeks based on ultrasound. Data were obtained from the hospital-based records of pregnant women who had attended antenatal clinics on the Thai-Burmese border between 2005 and 2007. The 612 women (18.1%) who delivered during the study period at a gestational age of more than 40 weeks were divided into 2 groups: those who were prescribed oral doses of castor oil (n = 205) and those who were not (n = 407). A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure the effect of castor oil on the time to delivery. The Fisher exact test was used to compare proportions of women with various identified adverse outcomes. Primary outcomes examined in the safety analysis were maternal deaths and stillbirths. Other analyzed safety measures included fetal distress, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, uterine tachysystole, uterine rupture, abnormal maternal blood pressure during labor, Apgar score, neonatal resuscitation, postpartum hemorrhage, and severe diarrhea.
No significant difference was found in the time to birth of women who received castor oil and those who did not; the hazard ratio was 0.99, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.81–1.20. There were no maternal deaths, uterine ruptures, or other harmful effects on the mother or fetus associated with either group.
In this study, the use of castor was safe for both mothers and babies but the data provide no evidence that this agent is effective for induction of labor.

Evaluation of the effect of castor oil on initiating labor in term pregnancy

Azhari, S.^a, Pirdadeh, S.^b, Lotfalizadeh, M.^c, Shakeri, M.T.^d

^a  Department of Midwifery, Mashdad University of Medical Science, Mashdad, Iran
^b  Asali Hospital, Lorcstan University of Medical Science, Khoramabad, Iran
^c  Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mashdad University of Medical Science, Mashdad, Iran
^d  Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Mashdad University of Medical Science, Mashdad, Iran

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of castor oil on initiating labor in term pregnant women. Methods: We conducted this randomized control clinical trial on 47 pregnant women from August 2003 to March 2004 in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Results: There was a significant increase in labor initiation ratio in the castor oil group compared with the control group (54.2% compared with 4.3%, p<0.001). Also, the mean bishop score in the castor oil group increased from 2.50 ± 1.29 to 6.79 ± 3.20 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The probability of labor initiation increases during the first 24 hours after using castor oil, however, further studies are recommended to improve its efficacy and safety.

Methods of cervical ripening and labor induction

Lisa Summers CNM 

 

The limited literature on castor oil in fate pregnancy
containst wo suggestionso f potential adversee ffects.A n
obsenmtional study (64) arried out in South Africa investigated
the association between self-medication and
meconium staining and revealed that women who reported
taking castor oil or sihlambezo (a general term
for herbal remedies taken to induce labor, most likely
derived from plants that grow on river banks) were more
likely to have meconium-stainedfl uid. The second potential
adversee ffect of castoro il is raisedb y a singlec ase
report (65) of amniotic fluid embolism (APE) in a 33-
year-old multipara within 60 minutes of ingestion of 30
mL of castor oil. Although a cause-and&& relationship
cannot be established,t he authors raise the possibility
that the ingestion of castor oil may have stimulated irregularfy
strong uterine contractions. The short time
frame from the ingestion of castor oil to the APE raises
some doubt about the relationship, however, as the onset
of action is 2-6 hours (66).
There is some variation in the way castor oil is recommended
for adminiition. An %duction cocktail”
is sometimes recommended, mixing 2 ounces of castor
oif,2ouncesofvodka,and2ormoreouncesoforange
juice (55). The dose is sometimes repeated after 1 or 2
haus.Mixingthecastoroilinarootbeerfioatisarecommendation
that may make it more palatable. Most
midwives avoid recommending castor oil unless the cervixisripe.
With any induction, it is ideal if the mother is well fed,
welI rested, and well hydrated; this is particularly true for
the mother who takes castor ~if. When timing is not dictated
by an event such as PROM, castor oil is best taken
early in the morning, l-2 hours before the mother usuaUyarises,
ratherthanattheendoftheday.
 

Do any folk remedies or herbals help induce labor?

Murray, T.^a, Kelsberg, G.^a, Safranek, S.^b

^a  Valley Family Medicine Residency, Renton, WA, United States
^b  University of Washington Health Sciences Library, Seattle, WA, United States

 

Castor oil made women nauseous
A Cochrane systematic review included 1
study of women at term with intact membranes
who received 1 dose of castor oil
to induce labor (n=52) compared with
no treatment (n=48). All women who
received castor oil felt nauseous, but no
other differences were noted between the
castor oil group and controls in rates of
cesarean section, meconium-stained fluid,
or Apgar scores less than 7 at 5 minutes."

[Jaimee]

Breast Stimulation Studies

Do any folk remedies or herbals help induce labor?

Murray, T.^a, Kelsberg, G.^a, Safranek, S.^b

^a  Valley Family Medicine Residency, Renton, WA, United States
^b  University of Washington Health Sciences Library, Seattle, WA, United States

Evidence summary
Breast stimulation works
A systematic review ot 6 trials with a total
of 719 participants compared unilateral
breast stimulation with no intervention
to induce labor in women at term.' In 2
trials, the 300 participants stimulated 1
breast for 1 hour a day for 3 days; in the
other 4 trials, 419 women stimulated either
breast alternately for 3 hours a day.

Breast stimulation significantly reduced
the number of women who hadn't
gone into labor at 72 hours compared
with nonintervention (62.7% vs 93.6%;
relative risk [RR]=0.67; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 0.60-0.74; number needed
to treat [NNT]=3.2). This result remained
significant when primiparous and multlparous
women were analyzed separately,
but not in the 1 trial (37 participants)
that reported on women with an unfavorahle
cervix.' Breast stimulation also
reduced postpartum hemorrhage (0.7%
vs 6%; RR=0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.87;
NNT=I8.8).
None of the trials documented uterine
hyperStimulation or meconiuni-stained
fluid, and they didn't find significant differences
in the rates of cesarean section (9%
vs 10%; RR-0.90; 95% CI, 0.38-2.12).
One trial reported 4 perinatal deaths in
a high-risk population—3 in the breast
stimulation group and 1 in the control
group—but this finding was not replicated
in any other trials.'

Methods of cervical ripening and labor induction

Summers, L.

1220 Noyes Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910-2717, United States

 

The treatment group performed gentle massage of alternate breasts for

a total of 3 hours each day. The control group was asked
to avoid any stimulation of the breast, and all were asked
to avoid sexual intercourse during the trial. In addition to
having a sign&ant change in the Bishop score, 36% of
the women in the treatment group went into labor withii
3 days of the onset of breast stimulation, compared with
none in the control group (52).
 

[Krystal323]

Interesting--thanks Jaimee!  

The times I've taken castor oil, it's never bothered me THAT much, and I've never had mec. in the waters either, FWIW.  I think the first time taking it was the scariest, b/c I didn't know how my body would react. I took 4oz cut with OJ, 15-ish minutes apart.  I was stuck running to the potty for about an hour or two, but no vomiting.  It also didn't put me in labor that time!  I took it twice with baby #4, once with 4oz, pretty much the same physical reaction, and NO labor!  Then a week later, I took only one ounce, barely felt a thing, but was in labor within hours and had a baby the next morning.  Just for anecdotal reference.. 

[birdhappy85]

Wow, the studies on breast stimulation are interesting. Those are huge differences in the # of women who went into labor vs. those who didn't!

[MrsKatie]

Originally Posted by Krystal323 

Interesting--thanks Jaimee!  

The times I've taken castor oil, it's never bothered me THAT much, and I've never had mec. in the waters either, FWIW.  I think the first time taking it was the scariest, b/c I didn't know how my body would react. I took 4oz cut with OJ, 15-ish minutes apart.  I was stuck running to the potty for about an hour or two, but no vomiting.  It also didn't put me in labor that time!  I took it twice with baby #4, once with 4oz, pretty much the same physical reaction, and NO labor!  Then a week later, I took only one ounce, barely felt a thing, but was in labor within hours and had a baby the next morning.  Just for anecdotal reference.. 

Yeah, my midwife sounds certain that there's no real connection between castor oil and meconium; I've heard that there may be a higher rate of meconium in castor oil-induced births because they are usually "post-term" ones - and my midwife said that in her experience women don't experience the horrors you read about (severe diarrhea and vomiting for hours and hours, dehydration, fetal distress, etc) when they take castor oil.

[MrsKatie]

Originally Posted by birdhappy85 

Wow, the studies on breast stimulation are interesting. Those are huge differences in the # of women who went into labor vs. those who didn't!

I know, I wish that breast stimulation weren't so friggin' uncomfortable for me!  After like 15 seconds it's just too much.  Or else I'd be lying around fondling my nipples 24/7.

[TalkToMeNow]

Wow... Breast stimulation sounds promising. I'm assuming this is nipple twiddling, basically? Not sure if I can do it... I'll have flashbacks to dd1! I never thought to prevent her from doing that and she did it for almost 4 years. Ugh.

[TalkToMeNow]

So much for that! Just tried and made it to about 20 seconds before I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Three hours a day?! I'd rather just stay pregnant...

[birdhappy85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TalkToMeNow 

So much for that! Just tried and made it to about 20 seconds before I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Three hours a day?! I'd rather just stay pregnant...

You're cracking me up today. Thanks for the laughs!
 

[crazykittymomma]

I've got the three hours of breast stimulation under my belt, if not more. Thanks DD. :/