don't know what to do...

[alleybcat]

I am 40 weeks and 4 days. We are pretty darn sure of my due date, so I don't think that I am really less pregnant than that. Had a midwife's appointment this morning and I am 1 cm dialated, 0 station, and have a very soft and thin, but posterier, cervex.

My birth center only allows woman to give birth there up to the 42 week mark. After that, you are in the hospital. And the water birth and all the other nice things are only availible in the birth center.

I really like my midwife and trust her, but she seems to be really into kick starting my labor. She has had my taking Evening Primrose oil for a couple of weeks. She reccomended orally and vaginally, but I can't stand vaginally, so I have been just taking them orally. She was really excited to do a cervical sweep this morning (I didn't feel a thing) and now she wants me to take black and blue cohosh.

Black cohosh one day, blue the next and then rest a day. Then repeat. She is a BIG believer in homeopathics.

I asked her why some people are afriad of cohosh and she said because they don't understand it. But she didn't tell me any side effects or anything. My husband has been looking it up on the internet and has some serious concerns.

I am soooo ready for this baby to come, but I don't want to put it in any danger. I do trust my midwife, but it was weird to me that she didn't really discuss my concerns.

Input?

Thanks for reading this long and rambling post.

[nova22]

I don't have any solid advice for you but I wanted to give you a couple !!!

I don't know any solid facts on cohosh. I too have done some internet research and some things were scary. I found a couple websites that said you should avoid it altogether during any stage of pregnancy. Then again, others said it can be an abortificant in early pregnancy, but in later pregnancy it is great for toning your uterus and helping things along.

I think the best information I got was from herbalremediesinfo.com:

Herbs to avoid for theraputic purposes during pregnancy (meaning you can still use them in small quantities, but don't take them as medicine):
Alkanet, Aloe, Angelica, Anise, Anise Star, Arnica, Ashwaganda, Barley Grass, Barberry, Basil, Bitter Melon, Black Cohosh, Bladderwrack, Blessed Thistle, Blood Root, Blue Cohosh, Blue Flag, Blue Vervain, Borage, Buckthorn, California Poppy, Cascara Sagrada, Catnip, Celandine, Celery, Chervil, Cinnamon, Club Moss, Comfrey, Coltsfoot, Cubeb, Dong Quai, Elecampane, Ephedra, False Unicorn, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Ginger, Golden Seal, Gravel, Guarana, Gymnema, Horehound, Horsetail, Hyssop, Juniper, Lemongrass, Licorice, Lobelia, Lovage, Lungwort, Mace, Motherwort, Mugwort, Muira Puama, Myrrh, Neem, Oregon Grape, Osha, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Pleurisy, Prickly Ash, Red Clover, Rhodiola, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Senna, Shepherds Purse, Spikenard, Turkey Rhubarb, Turmeric, Uva Ursi, Vitex, Watercress, White Sage, Wormwood, Yarrow.

USEFUL HERBS FOR CHILDBIRTH:
ECHINACEA This herb is useful if there is a premature rupture of the membranes. 15 drops of the tincture is used 3 x's daily to help prevent infection.

BLACK COHOSH Many midwives use this herb in combination with BLUE COHOSH for a stalled labor. 10 - 20 drops of the tincture is given hourly to promote regular, coordinated contractions.

SHEPHERD'S PURSE Another of the favorite herbs for childbirth - this is an effective remedy for hemorrhage. It stops profuse bleeding and promotes uterine contractions. Many midwives give a tincture of the fresh plant to women postpartum to control heavy bleeding. (It should not be given during labor, as it can cause blood clots.)

MOTHERWORT A tincture of this herb is often given to women who are feeling anxious and tense with the crampy part of early labor. It's also a useful remedy to use postpartum to help calm nerves, especially if the woman is feeling "shocky".

I really hope you find a good answer.

[Peppamint]

Is your midwife recommending the homeopathic cohoshes or the herbal? Because the homeopathic are going to be (by nature, because homeopathics are so diluted and gentle) easier on you than herbal.

Personally, I would do homeopathic cohoshes before I would allow myself to be transferred to hospital care but that's because I've had a Pitocin induction and don't want to go that route again. But who says you can't wait a week before you start the cohoshes? That would still give you three days before the 42 week cutoff. Chances are good by then you'll have a baby in your arms anyway.

[De-lovely]

Michelle pretty much covered my thoughts so HUGS MAMA!

[flowmom]

Originally Posted by alleybcat

I am 40 weeks and 4 days.

So on the bright side you have 10 days before the 42 week mark.

Originally Posted by alleybcat

I really like my midwife and trust her, but she seems to be really into kick starting my labor.

Induction techniques aren't very effective and some have risks. What is the rush?

Originally Posted by alleybcat

now she wants me to take black and blue cohosh.

This is what Midwifery Today says about them:

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Black cohosh and blue cohosh are often considered the best combination to have on hand for labor. Black cohosh is not only excellent as a liniment for back labor, it is also used to relieve pain and cramping in the womb. It relieves muscle pain, which is one reason it works so well with blue cohosh, the uterine stimulant.

In more than 40 years of observed use in Germany, black cohosh has shown no serious adverse effects, contraindications or drug interactions. One study did show that 7% of patients who took it experienced transient stomach upset, but not to an extent to prevent the trial from continuing. Studies on the herb's possible mutagenicity, teratogenicity and carcinogenicity have proven negative.

Relevant properties: anti-spasmodic, alterative, nervine, hypotensive. It is high in volatile oils and contains triterpene glycosides, isoflavones and isoferulic acid.

Blue Cohosh (Caulophylum thalictroides)

Blue cohosh can be used at any time during pregnancy that a threat of miscarriage occurs. Similarly, because of its anti-spasmodic action, it will ease false labor pains and dysmenorrhea. Nonetheless, when labor does begin, using blue cohosh just previous to birth will ease delivery. Blue cohosh stimulates uterine contractions and tones the uterus.

Relevant properties: emmenagogic, anti-spasmodic, anti-rheumatic, diuretic. It contains alkaloids and saponins.

Originally Posted by alleybcat

I do trust my midwife, but it was weird to me that she didn't really discuss my concerns.

Don't let your concerns be brushed under the carpet. She might have all sorts of ideas of how things should go, but it's your body and you're in charge of what goes in it and what is done to it. When you have a good relationship with a MW it's tempting to just trust them and do what they say...I did that with my first birth and now I regret not following my instincts more.

[alleybcat]

thank you

Thank you everyone for the replies. DH and I talked more about it tonight and I read your posts. It IS the homeopathic dose, not the herbal one.

I think that I will wait until Sunday to try them. I would definetly rather try the natural remedies then end up with pitocin, etc. But I am going to give myself until week 41 to try anything.