Black/Blue Cohosh

[purplevega]

My midwife gave me a list of natural induction methods which included the use of black/blue cohosh and ginger. I have been trying to decided if I am going to go this route. My understanding is that black/blue cohosh may increase blood pressure. What are your thought on this induction method? Is an increase in BP a commonplace? I was induced with DS for high blood pressure and do not want to go there again. This PG my BP has been prefect!!!

I am only considering this because my midwife can only maintain me as a client until 42 weeks. At 41 weeks I must have NST and a u/s every 3 days. I will be 40 weeks on saturday and am planning on not do anything beyond sex and EPO till next Wednesday. Also my midwife has not and most likey will not check me. TIA

Kim

[homebirthing]

I wouldn't do anything. You have quite a bit of time left and this baby will come, they always do!

[pamamidwife]

I agree with Sarah - though it does make me angry and sad that you're on this timeline. It's not fair, it's not evidence-based and it puts pressure on you during a time when you need to have some non-stress!

I've never had herbal tinctures work to start labor. Never. I have used homeopathic blue and black cohosh - they work well to at least coordinate uterine contractions.

There's nothing wrong with sex, nipple stimulation and trusting your body.

D*$% state laws! Ugh!

[homebirthing]

Pam,

That is one of the reasons that I didn't want to hire a licensed midwife in Minnesota. They have the pressure of the 42 week mark also, and I carry my babies for a long time. The last one (17 days over 40 weeks) would have been a hospital birth or UC otherwise.

[purplevega]

Thanks ladies. I know I need to relax, but it freaks me out that just because the magic number of 42 weeks my midwife can not handle my birth. I don't even want to get close to 42 or I will be in a panic.

I have been in labor state for almost 3 weeks. Contractions, cramping, lots and lots of mucus. My midwife expects me to give birth before next week. Not sure if that is wishful thinking on her part.

Kim

[Charmie981]

I don't know about cohosh and BP, but I second the suggestion for homeopathic instead of herbal. The homeopathic names are "cimifuga" and "caullophylum" (I'm sure I butchered the spellings). They would be my first resort if I needed to induce someone (we have that danged 42 week thing, too). If you don't plan to use them until at least Wednesday (that's 41 weeks, right?), then maybe you should go ahead and order them so you can have them (if needed). Then, when you don't end up using them , you can donate them to your midwife or a student midwife.

Something else that can't hurt and might help is an appointment with a craniosacral therapist. I had a client whose first two children were were late (12 and 14 days...one of them was peely and wrinkled--we called it baby dandruff!) who went to have a CST session at the end of her third pregnancy. She "only" went three days over her earliest due date and was SHOCKED. I don't know if the CST helped, but she felt good afterwards, at least .

I don't think you need to do anything, but I know that sometimes feeling like you're doing something can help you relax, which in turn can help you go into labor. If you're really worrying about the timeline, that's counterproductive, so maybe in that case doing something (CST, reflexology, ordering something "just in case") would help. But if you are able to relax and trust your body all on your own, then please do that!!

[LaughinWillow]

I'm a week overdue myself, and my midwife told me today that she thinks I should take 1/2 dropper each of black and blue cohosh once a day for 3 days and then start twice a day. I'm really confused, because she says that it's totally safe, but some stuff is saying it's not. And she basically says that after 42 weeks, they're going to want to start looking at "other interventions," including induction...but I've been planning a VBAC and have had the impression that an induction could be really dangerous for me (on top of incredibly painful, from what I've read). So then I think taking cohosh is potentially the better option. What do people think? I am so confused and not sure what to do...just wish I'd go into labor on my own asap!

[purplevega]

Any idea where I can buy caulophyllum 200x? I have been searching online for an hour with no luck. TIA

Kim

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by purplevega

Any idea where I can buy caulophyllum 200x? I have been searching online for an hour with no luck. TIA

I strongly urge anyone considering using Caulophyllum to consult a knowledgeable homeopath. By taking a remedy over time when you don't need it you can induce the state it treats. This is called "proving" the remedy.

You can get Caulophyllum 200C online from Homeopathy Overnight, Washington Homeopathics, and .

~BV

[purplevega]

Originally Posted by bryonyvaughn

I strongly urge anyone considering using Caulophyllum to consult a knowledgeable homeopath. By taking a remedy over time when you don't need it you can induce the state it treats. This is called "proving" the remedy.

You can get Caulophyllum 200C online from Homeopathy Overnight, Washington Homeopathics, and .

~BV

Thanks I need to find 200x. That is the dosage my midwife recommeded

Kim

[purplevega]

Originally Posted by bryonyvaughn

I strongly urge anyone considering using Caulophyllum to consult a knowledgeable homeopath. By taking a remedy over time when you don't need it you can induce the state it treats. This is called "proving" the remedy.

You can get Caulophyllum 200C online from Homeopathy Overnight, Washington Homeopathics, and .

~BV

I checked both those website and neither carry 200x...anyone else with ideas?

[coobabysmom]

I used an herbal tonic consisting of blue/black cohosh and beth root from a reliable acupunturist/herblist at 40wk11days. I *felt* very ready to birth (worked through some heavy emotional stuff that day) and was feeling very pressured by the 42wk induction mark (I know better now).

After 4 hourly doses, I did go into labor. My contractions were all over the place (read: had I been at the hospital, some might have suggested pit to regulate & progress) but manageable. I could have taken more doses once labor started, but it didn't *feel* like the right thing to do. My BP had been elevated at the end of my pregnancy, but my bp was fine when it was eventually measured (I arrived at the birth center to push).

My intiution tells me that had I let things take it's course, I probably would have had a shorter labor and my baby would have been born on the same day/time anyway.

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by purplevega

I checked both those website and neither carry 200x...anyone else with ideas?

Oh, I read you post and thought you were asking for 200C. 200X would have to be made up special. It's not in regular stock because that potency readily causes aggravations.

I'd never give 200X unless that was the only potency I had for an indicated remedy and then I'd give it in water gently succussing between doses and then carefully watch for any signs of aggravations.

Did you read about Caulophyllum 200X somewhere or is someone advising you to get it?

~BV

[purplevega]

Originally Posted by bryonyvaughn

Oh, I read you post and thought you were asking for 200C. 200X would have to be made up special. It's not in regular stock because that potency readily causes aggravations.

I'd never give 200X unless that was the only potency I had for an indicated remedy and then I'd give it in water gently succussing between doses and then carefully watch for any signs of aggravations.

Did you read about Caulophyllum 200X somewhere or is someone advising you to get it?

~BV

My midwife has recommeded that dose. I just read caulophyllum 30c which I can find anywhere.

Kim

[pamamidwife]

I cannot imagine why you would need a 200x or even a 200c potency. I recommend 30c.

I think your mw likely meant 200c, but that is a professional only dose.

Get the 30c....

[wumanh]

If you are having mucus, etc. you should go into bring the baby out labor really soon! Hang in there!