As you move through the different stages of labor, your body will be crying out for help in different ways. While you can turn your attention to a number of different potential avenues, there is one thing that you may never have contemplated before, and that is the use of herbs and supplements.
Women are always asking themselves questions including ‘how long does early labor last?’ After all, you want to know what awaits you to then give you the best possible chance of being as well prepared as you can be. Is it any surprise that you may then want to contemplate using various methods that could make the different stages of labor that bit easier for yourself? Nobody wants it to carry on for what feels like an eternity.
Take Charge of Your Labor Stages.
It’s important for you to be able to take charge of your labor stages and to do what you can to make this entire process significantly easier for you. As we said at the outset, you may turn your attention to various aspects and try different things. The very idea of using herbs and supplements may be somewhat alien and you are unsure as to what to use or do first.
If so, then this may prove to be rather interesting to you.
A Warning.
First, we need to start with a warning. Not every herb or supplement is going to be safe for you to take when pregnant. For most women, the key supplements that you need to be careful with, and perhaps seek the advice of a medical professional, will include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Black Cohosh
- Dong Quai
- Yohimbe
However, as we said, if you have any concerns then you need to get professional advice. After all, we want to help you through the stages of your labor and not put you in any kind of danger. In saying that, it is often linked to the individual having other medical concerns. Also, some individuals may be able to consume Vitamin A and E when it is combined with other ingredients in a supplement.
The Key Herbs and Supplements to Support Your Labor Stages.
The problem is that there are so many different herbs and supplements out there that you may not know where to begin. To be honest, it will often start with ingredients that you have never even heard of.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red Raspberry Leaf will prove to be rather more useful than you imagine. This is something that has been used for centuries as a tonic when turned into a tea. Indeed, it has long been associated with helping women to have a smoother birth.
Indeed, Native Americans believe that it will help to effectively tone the uterus. This belief carries on today where even 2 out of every 3 US midwives recommend this as something that you should take.
What you will find with this herb is that it is full of Vitamin C and B along with a number of key minerals. This includes magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium.
These minerals have been shown to be particularly useful in helping the uterus to relax. They also help with the contractions of the muscle which should make labor and giving birth easier due to being in more control.
Castor Oil.
Castor oil is another supplement that has been used for thousands of years, and with good reason. It is known that this particular supplement is going to help induce labor and numerous studies have supported this theory.
The important thing in castor oil is Ricinoleic Acid. This helps to stimulate the production of hormones related to preparing you for going into labor. Indeed, it ripens your cervix making labor that bit easier as well.
Evening Primrose Oil.
Evening Primrose Oil has a number of amazing benefits related to it, so the fact that it is also linked to helping with labor should not come as a surprise. Yes, it is full of Vitamin E so you need to check with you doctor first for some advice.
What the research has shown is that this supplement will also help to prepare your cervix. This will then increase the chances of you giving birth vaginally.
Licorice.
The way in which licorice works is simple. This contains prostaglandin and this is something that does play a rather vital role in inducing labor. You can take this as either a supplement or even drink it as a tea as both will have the same kind of impact. This is also regarded as being a rather safe item to take during this time and it may very well help to shorten that labor time.
Basil.
Basil is known as an emmenagogue herb which basically means it helps with improving blood flow. This is something that you certainly do want in order to have a healthy pregnancy as it means that the blood flow in the uterus will make the giving birth aspect a whole lot easier. Also, it improves your circulation, which is something else that you will want to happen if you wish your labor to run as smooth as possible.
Cotton Root Tea.
You may not have heard of cotton root tea, but it’s best that you do go ahead and find out where you can buy it. This has been shown to be capable of inducing labor while it also then goes ahead and increases those contractions during parturition. In other words, it can speed up the process and prevent you from being in labor for what feels like forever.
As you can see, there are several options available to you regarding herbs and supplements that will indeed help you out when it comes to the different stages of labor. However, we must continue to stress the need to seek advice if you have any concerns whatsoever because even though the research indicates that the information we have provided here is safe,you cannot be too careful when it comes to something as precious as giving birth to your child.
It may be best for you to consider using several of the supplements, but do so within guidelines. Helping to induce labor is a good idea, but it needs to be done safely in order to then make sure that there are no complications.