Childbirth

Reproductive System Module 3

Childbirth

slides 485  to 534

American Pregnancy Association says No to These

• Saw Palmetto – when used orally, has hormonal activity
• Goldenseal – when used orally, may cross the placenta
• Dong Quai – when used orally, due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects
• Ephedra – when used orally
• Yohimbe – when used orally
• Pay D’ Arco – when used orally in large doses; contraindicated
• Passion Flower – when used orally
• Black Cohosh – when used orally in pregnant women who are not at term
• Blue Cohosh – when used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor
• Roman Chamomile – when used orally in medicinal amounts
• Pennyroyal – when used orally or topically
• Aloe
• Ginseng (American & Asian)
• Evening Primrose
• Feverfew
• Kava
• Senna

 American Pregnancy Association says Yes to These

1. Red Raspberry Leaf –
   • Rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus,
   • increase milk production,
   • decrease nausea, and
   • ease labor pains.
   • Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth.
   • There is some controversy about whether this should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimester, so many health care providers remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.
2. Peppermint Leaf – Helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence
3. Ginger root – Helps relieve nausea and vomiting
4. Slippery Elm Bark – (when the inner bark is used orally in amounts used in foods) Used to help relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations
5. Oats & Oat Straw – Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin
6. Blond Psyllium – when used orally and appropriately
7. Black Psyllium – when used orally with appropriate fluid intake
8. Garlic – when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods
9. Capsicum (Cayenne, hot pepper) – when used topically and appropriately

 Assisting with Labor

Formula published Cindy Belew (midwife) Journal of Nurse-Midwifery adapted from Mother’s
Cordial of Eclectics (adapted to 1:2 liquids):

Raspberry Leaf – Partridge berry	Mitchella repens	1:2 50 mL
 Black Haw	Viburnum prunifolium	1:2 35 mL
 Black Cohosh	Cimicifuga racemosa	1:2 15 mL

Dose 5 mL once or twice a day from week 36 (higher dose if history of difficult birth)

Survey US midwives found

• castor oil
• evening primrose oil
• black cohosh

considered safest, effective cervical ripening, labor augmentation
Rubus rated lowest of five most popular treatments, blue cohosh next lowest

Labor and delivery

Antispasmodics slide 533

• Lobelia
• Black cohosh
• Blue cohosh (debatable, other sources say blue cohosh promotes contractions)

Labor

• Black cohosh
  • last two weeks gravid, & during labor
• Blue cohosh
  • during labor
• Goldenseal
  • oxytocic

Postpartum

Hemorrhage

• Capsicum
• Bayberry
• Shepherd’s purse
• Ashoka

 Hyperemesis gravidium – slide 536

see glossary side for terms and definition

Pregnancy nausea  (any nausea liver and large intestine function)

• Black horehound
  • also pregnancy migraine
• Meadowsweet, chamomile, anise, ginger
  • better as tincture (possibly sublingual) for nausea
• Greater celandine
  • severe vomiting
  • Tincture 5 ml in 1 oz. bottle of water, 5 drops per dose, as needed

 Morning Sickness and Hyperemesis

• First trimester, ginger effective relief mild to moderate cases morning sickness
• 10 to 15 drops (approx 0.3 mL) 1:2 extract with water rapidly relieve nausea
• Repeated to 9 times more/day if required
• A few drops of gentian 1:2 helpful
• Severe cases hyperemesis
  • liver herbs
  • Silybum (milk thistle), Taraxacum (dandelion root)
• Mentha piperita (peppermint), Filipendula (meadowsweet), spearmint useful herbs (teas)
• Nausea into the second trimester
  • Rubus (raspberry leaf) usually effective