Has anyone tried Black and Blue Cohosh to induce labour? Trying to avoid hospital induction.

[SchrodingersMew]

Okay, so I am 36+2 and have had a horrendous pregnancy.

I am due to have a sweep at 37+3 and if that fails, induction a couple of days later.

Really I would like to avoid the hospital induction and am thinking of trying this when I hit 37 weeks.

Have been getting on off back and tummy cramps already.

Has this actually worked for anyone and how much would you take?

Thanks. :)

[wobblypig]

Yep - didn't work for me

[SchrodingersMew]

Ahk! :(

[gailforce1]

Have you thought about finding an experienced aromatherapist - friends daughter did this to start both her labours. Given massage and drops to put in bath, lovely experience apparently!

[SchrodingersMew]

I hadn't thought of that at all actually. Thanks. :)

Think I might end up trying the reflexology and acupuncture though as well. :)

[skorpion]

I heard hat clary sage is supposed to help.

[cardamomginger]

I had acupuncture and reflexology, but you might find that a therapist won't do treatments to bring on labour if you are before your due date. But hopefully they should be able to do treatments to help prime your body and get things set up, IYSWIM. Good luck.

[SchrodingersMew]

Have just bought Clary Sage and also the Helos kit with Black and Blue Cohosh in it. :)

If they don't work when I try them I will try reflexology and acupuncture.

Cardamonginger I was offered acupuncture and reflexology today in Neils Farm. :)

Thanks for the advice. :)

[pippala]

Just a polite word of warning, no offence meant at all but self inducing before baby is ready can lead to distress.
Cohosh and clary sage are very potent, often leading to meconium without labour actually starting.
Clary sage can trigger god damn awful BH.
Labour can only be induced if everything is favourable.
Please think very carefully before self inducing.
at the end of the day you have grown baby for 9months whats a few more weeks.
I don't mean to be confrontational just have seen some back side effects from these powerful "herbs"

[pippala]

Bad side effects even!

[Bert2e]

Nipple twiddling often has good results if labour is imminent.

[SchrodingersMew]

Pippala I can't wait a few more weeks though as I am being induced anyways. I would just rather it wasn't the medical way as I have heard it is much more painful.

[Elderberries]

I think it is unlikely that you could bring on labour at 37 weeks in this way and may cause yourself more problems. Poisons are natural and can be herbal as well but do you no good. Just because something is medical doesn't make it bad and just because something is herbal doesn't mean it is safe.

I was induced and it is OK. If you have epidural it doesn't have to hurt too much.

[Elderberries]

From your thread in AIBU it seems that you have medical issues anyway and are in pain due to that? I think it is a very bad idea to do things without medical supervision. Really do think twice before doing anything yourself.

[SchrodingersMew]

I have decided not to try it. :) I have the helios box but will just be using it in labour. I may try the reflexology or acupuncture though but I am not sure yet.

Elderberries I am really trying to avoid having an epidural as I am hypermobile and wont be able to feel if my hips are dislocating and because of my condition it would be worsened if I labour on my back. Also it's a bit complicated as I need both a spinal and an epidural as I am resistant to anesthetics. I can't have Diamorphine either as I take bad reactions to codeine and it is too similar for me to risk and gas and air makes me paranoid. I'm a bit fucked!

Basically, the aim is that I will manage on just the pessaries and without the drip so I can labour in the pool. Hopefully it will work out! :)

[iskra]

I have read quite strong recommendations against cohosh - it can actually have bad effects on the baby in utero.

I had accupuncture with DD which brought on labour (possibly... maybe she was just ready to come!)