Black Cohosh for Inducing Labor???

I would not induce labor for any reason other than medical necessity. I would not use herbs or any other "natural" induction method unless I were overdue, and going to be transferred into a high-risk group (for medical induction in a hospital) if labor did not begin.

This month is National Prematurity Awareness Month, and the March of Dimes is very involved in this, and has a lot of information about it on their website here (http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/49267_62082.asp); and specifically, stuff about late preterm and term fetal development here (http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/240_48590.asp).

Among the considerations are brain development (at 35 weeks, the brain is 2/3 the weight of the brain at 39 weeks!), lung development, and from the MoD website:

Here’s why your baby needs 39 weeks:

* Important organs, like his brain, lungs and liver, get all the time they need to develop.
* He is less likely to have vision and hearing problems after birth.
* He has time to gain more weight in the womb. Babies born at a healthy weight have an easier time staying warm than babies born too small.
* He can suck and swallow and stay awake long enough to eat after he’s born. Babies born early sometimes can’t do these things.

Most first-time moms will give birth around 41 weeks 1 day. You sound like you might go a little earlier than that, but you still probably have 2-3 weeks to go -- babies tend to "drop" about 3 weeks before birth in first-time moms, but they may not drop before labor begins in subsequent pregnancies.

Induced labors (even "naturally" induced ones, if there can be such a thing!) are harder on you *and* your baby than natural labors. You have no good medical reason to try to induce labor, so just let your baby continue to grow inside you, and reach her full prenatal potential, for the easiest transition to life on the outside.

I know these last few weeks are hard to take -- you're wanting so badly to meet your little girl after all this time, and you wish you could push a fast-forward button on life! But you can't; and you may cause more harm than good if you did. And I can ***guarantee*** you, it is far easier to take care of your baby now than after she is born, so enjoy these last few weeks of her being inside you; enjoy the kicks -- they'll be gone soon enough; enjoy the rolling and rumbling of her inside you; enjoy how effortless it is to take care of her now (no crying, no gas, no diapers, no nursing) compared to after she is born.

H.,

I honestly would not induce labor using any type of herbs, medicine, or remedies from old wives tales. My advice to you is to walk as much as possible, have sex, stimulate your nipples and in between all of that - rest. Let nature take it's course. You've lasted the entire 9 months being pregnant and you will survive the next week or so. Honestly, I'll never understand why anyone would want to put their baby in danger just so they don't have to be pregnant anymore. That's exactly what you are doing by taking these types of remedies. And by the way, I was thinned and dialated 2 cm for over a month before my first baby was born. The doctors don't know anything. They can tell you what they think but they don't know when baby will definitely be her. Take the last few days you have before baby gets here and get yourself pampered. Get a massage, get your nails done, rest and sleep alot. Because it's going to be a long time before you get to pamper yourself again.

H.,
DO NOT use anything that isn't sanctioned by your care giver. Herbs can be very strong and VERY dangerous for pregnant women. Your body will have the baby when it's ready. Any thing that "speeds" up the process will only work when the process is ready to go. or it will work and do harm. Also avoid castor oil unless you want to have terrible cramping diarrea and painful, fruitless contractions.
I know its hard, but you have to be patient- it's worth it!

Remember, no one who has answered your question claims to be a medical specialist, so you can't trust any of us. Only your care giver.

I wouldn't do anything to induce your labor (even though by this point in time you are VERY ready to have your little one). I was 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated at 38 weeks and stayed that way until 3 days before my due date when I had my little boy. The doctor also said she didn't think I would make it, and low and behold I did! Let your little girl stay in a little longer and know that you did everything in your power to keep her healthy and safe! :) Enjoy motherhood!

hi, please just let the baby come when it is time. you should enjoy these last quiet days. relax and enjoy the feel of you baby getting ready to meet you. if there was a problem the dr. would induce but i am guessing that everything is going by gods plan. sit tight and let it come on its own. enjoy. you are so blessed. mom of 7 R.

Let the baby come when she is ready. Studies show that babies delivered prior to the 39th week do not do nearly as well as those who deliver in 39-40+. Your body is preparing, let it do what it needs to, and let your baby continue to develop as much as possible in the uterus where there are fewer risks.

I did it, only I used blue cohosh, as it stimulates uterine contraction, and is regarded as a wonderful female herbal for all non-preggers up until menopause. Spent 17 dollars on it, and it did nothing! I told my doctor I was thinking about doing it too, and of course she told me"don't do anything to induce yourself" but I had to try it. I ended up getting induced sooner than I thought I would (seems like Dr.'s want to steer clear of a birth cutting into the weekend!), so I took the blue cohosh after delivery, figuring it would be good for me anyway. It did nothing, but I can tell you that I was still taking it when I had my first real period about 1-2 months after giving birth, and I swear, it made my cramps so bad, it felt like labor contractions, and I had to pull over my car and call my hubby for help.Trust me, don't do it! it sucks!

Black Cohosh in conjuction with Blue cohosh has been used for many years to stimulate labor, but studies show that it can increase risk of meconium and blue cohosh may cause cardiac arrhythmias in the fetus. Good ole sexual intercourse is the best along with nipple stimulation. A double breast pump at the highest setting you can take works wonders. Walking, walking and more walking.

Sorry I'm late, but I just got back from our holiday travels. I wouldn't take anything to try and induce labor. The baby is going to come when it's ready. I had my third child in August and was 3 cm and 70% at 35 weeks and my doctor expected me to have my baby that week. She laughed in amazement every week I showed up and finally scheduled an induction at 39 1/2 weeks. When I got to the hospital I was 5 cm and still not in labor. It made for a very short labor and delivery though once the induction was started.

I heard black cohosh is a pretty strong herb and wouldn't try anything out that isn't recommended by a health practitioner, midwife, doula or anyone else who is experienced with it. Your baby will come, when it's ready. Just be patient :) Sorry, that isn't really an answer to your question. I heard that acupuncture can help to induce labor. There are some teas out ("Bottom of the ninth" or just Raspberry tea) that can help too but might be a little milder.

I know that you do not want to hear this, but your baby's lungs need all of the time that they can get to develop. Please try and be patient for her sake. Plus the probability of anything working to induce before your body is ready is highly unlikely. My 1st was 2 weeks late and second came right on the due date even though I was dilated and having pre-labor for almost 3 weeks. Most inductions lead to c-section which is not a fun recovery! Enjoy your excitement and use this time to rest because you are soooo going to need it! Good luck!

I would not recommending inducing labor prior to your due date, with anything! Prematurity is the leading cause of infant death in America. 2-3 weeks early is just as dangerous as 2-3 weeks late!If you have,"all the signs that I will be delivering soon" why do you feel the need to be trying to induce labor at all? Patience is a virtue.

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I used evening primrose capsuls both swallowed and broken and squirted in 'the place.' Had my child two days later. Nothing is a sure bet, though!

I wouldn't use black cohosh as it imitates estrogen, not the body's normal signal to enduce labor.

Blessings on your soon to be family member!

Oh, H., absolutely not! Black cohosh is an herbal medication used to calm the body during hot flashes and mood swings during PMS. This means it is very similiar to hormones. These are not the type of hormones you want to have activated. Other ideas include, no laughter, sex, showering with the water concentrated on your breasts to help stimulate the contractions, raspberries are an old wives tale but i tried it and it seemed to help. Otherwise, let him or her stay where they are, the longer the better developed everything will be. Nice strong lungs are important! Congratulations and I wish you the very best!

dont induce the baby will come when she/he is ready