General characteristics

Useful herbs

Raspberry leaf tea is an excellent way to prepare the womb for labour. Its high calcium levels feed and strengthen the uterus and make contractions stronger and more efficient. I have used raspberry leaf tea throughout both of my pregnancies and was fortunate enough to have relatively quick (7 hours for the first labour, 2.5 hours for the second labour) and trouble free births. Some debate continues as to how far into pregnancy one should be before drinking raspberry leaf. Some say only after the first trimester, some say only after the second. Personally I drank it from about 6 weeks into pregnancy with nothing but positive results. The high vitamin and mineral content makes it a valuable nutritional drink too. Drink at least 1 cup to begin with and work up to 3 cups daily.

Another tried and tested formula to start taking 4 weeks before your due date consists of equal parts of the tinctures of squaw vine, holy thistle, black cohosh, pennyroyal, false unicorn, raspberry leaf and lobelia. Take 1 teaspoon daily for the first week, 2 teaspoons daily for the second week, 3 teaspoons daily in the third week and 4 teaspoon daily in the fourth week. Many women and professionals may be scared of this preparation as it contains many herbs that we are advised not to take during pregnancy due to their stimulating action on uterine muscles. I can only give my own story, I used this formula in both of my pregnancies with good results in terms of speedy and efficient labours. I actually took it from 6 weeks before my due date until the day my babies were born, both 2 weeks late! For me, it did not induce early labour but your discretion and common sense is advised as to how long and how much you take.

Herbs such as chamomile and valerian, sipped as a tea can help to relax you through the early stages of labour but be careful not to relax the body too much as labour may slow down.

For pain during labour try making a formula from the tinctures of motherwort, skullcap, black cohosh and st johns wort. Use 3 parts st johns wort and 1 part of skullcap, black cohosh and motherwort. Premix the tincture in a bottle with a dropper top and add a dropperful to  a small glass of water every hour or so. Again, watch for over-relaxation and the potential slowing of labour if too much is taken.

Lobelia tincture is a classic for softening a rigid cervix as it is a powerfully strong voluntary muscle relaxant.The dose is 60 drops in water, then repeat half an hour later if needed.

Crampbark tincture can act as a remedy to help deepen the contractions towards the final stages, help dilate the cervix and prepare for birth. It can also help ease the painful cramps after the birth.

Tincture made from fresh shepherds purse can stop postpartum haemorrhage very rapidly. Take 20-40 drops in a little water.

Comfrey leaves (fresh or dried) can be added to a bath or used as a poultice to speed up healing of the perineal area of rips, tears, trauma and swelling.

Marshmallow root and slippery elm can also be used to help lubricate the birth canal when sipped as a tea in labour and to help expel the placenta and heal any perineal tears or rips when addd to a bath after the birth.

Always inform your midwife or other knowledgeable professional before using herbs during labour (include a list of possible herbs in your birth plan perhaps), just so they are aware of the various medicinal actions of any herbs you are taking.