I bought some tonight but I haven't taken any or opened it. I am just kind of looking at it...

Has anyone tried this? Did it start your labor? A lady told me to buy some and the lady at the health store said it would definately start labor, but I was wondering if anyone here had any first hand experience with it... Thanks

By Clarabel on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 09:51 pm:

Blue.
The kind I took was Blue Cohosh.I don't know that they are the same thing.Please be careful.Herbs are very powerful.
Like I said, the Blue Cohosh did work for me , but I used it in conjuction with the castor oil.

By My2cuties on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 10:09 pm:

I know I remember you saying that and a lady at my church said take black, they both work for the same thing, I just bought the black because they didn't have the blue.

By Kaye on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 10:11 pm:

Most experts agree that induction of labor should only be done if there is concern for the safety of the baby, never for the convenience of the mother or her health care provider.


This came from this website...http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/tool/cohosh.html

This list why and how cohosh works.

Honestly though, I know you are through being pg, but I just don't think I would risk it. If this puts you in labor, it doesn't guarantee you a pitocin free labor.

I have had two inductions, one was horrid, but one was not. Your cervix starting to ripen really means your body is preparing, induction is bad when your body is fighting it. One of the things i have heard is that 8-% of the labor is the effacing (or shortning or thining of the cervix), the dialation is the easy part. It is just a few more days.

By Kaye on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 10:13 pm:

Summary:

Blue cohosh is a North American herb with a reputation for both causing and preventing miscarriage (abortion), but it is most widely known for its use in labour induction.

There are some unpleasant side effects from blue cohosh, including elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels, nausea, severe stomach pain, and toxicity. There have been two case reports where blue cohosh was blamed for severe cardiac toxicity in infants whose mothers used the herb to induce labour. In addition, the plant contains a toxic compound which is known to cause birth defects in cattle.

from this site http://currantsandspice.fateback.com/induction.html

By Mrsheidi on Saturday, May 21, 2005 - 11:18 pm:

Honey, just let her come when she's good and ready!! Enjoy her a little more in your belly because pretty soon, you'll have to share her with everyone!! You are too cute...

By My2cuties on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 12:28 am:

You know, I could never fully get any peace about taking it. I have had 2 inductions also and this will be my third. I really want to go into labor on my own, but I am just not going to push it. I will continue to walk and if that doesn't work I will be headed in for another induction Monday morning. I am worried about the baby because I am 6 days overdue. I just have to trust that everything is okay. I would rather her be on the outside so I can look at her and see everything is fine.

sorry to ask, just thought someone could ease my mind but I guess not.

By Clarabel on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 01:07 am:

Why is that if a labor is two weeks or even three weeks early , no one seems to mind.But a few days past a due date and everyone is ready to induce?
My dh was born two weeks late, my ds was born three weeks early.Due dates are just a guide.
But since you are getting antsy-pantsy, I told you about my use of a natural alternative that I feel was much safer than being induced.Would you like to hear about the side effects of pitocin? It's not pretty.
Here are some great sites to look at:
>http://www.birthlove.com/free/induction.html
>http://www.birthingnaturally.net/barp/pitocin.html
>http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/June2001/PitocinLawsuit.htm
We could all get into a lively debate here but it's your birth and your baby.
I hope whatever decision you make you and the baby will be safe and healthy.

By Amecmom on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 07:54 am:

Why didn't the doc just strip your membranes if they're going to induce on Monday, anyway? That would have given things a jumpstart for sure! I would be very afraid of taking anything to try and induce at this point.
Good luck.
Ame

By Heaventree on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 07:59 am:

You really have no way of knowing for certain that your baby is really overdue. We thought (the doctor and I) that I was 10 days over due. When the baby was born he looked at the placenta and said "This baby was not overdue". I went through 3 days of hard labour for nothing, not to mentioned they had to use forceps and a vaccum which popped off his head and I was very close to an emergency C-Section, I think probably minutes.

If you are concerned about the baby have a your doctor do a stress test. Hang in there.

By Vicki on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 08:46 am:

I agree to just hang in there! We are talking tomorrow morning now. The end is right there!! I will be thinking of you in the morning!

By Rayanne on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 08:56 am:

Only one more day sweetie and then you get to hold her and kiss her and love her forever and ever and ever.......

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was enduced with Rylee after her being one week late. Hang in there. It's almost over.

By Kaye on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 09:49 am:

It is frustrating when we go past our due date. But it is just like our cycle, some ladies have 28 day cycles, some have 30 day cycles. I am not hugely in favor of induction at all because of the risks. But there is a balance, some times the risks of staying pg are greater than the use of pitocin. That being said, I just would not take anything to force labor. Your body is perfectly designed, it knows when your baby is ready. I knwo you are worrying about they baby. If she is still moving, you should be okay. If she has gotten too big, they can still get her out

Good luck tomorrow. Have dh post an update, time, weight, etc. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

By Feona on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 12:57 pm:

I would call the doctor first before using it.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 06:07 pm:

Definitely not unless your doctor approves 100%. Given the risks that Kaye has so kindly posted above, and the risks for inducing, posted by Clarabel, if it were me I'd sit tight.

You really don't know exactly when you are due, or rather, when the baby is ready. Unless you had in vitro or you only had sex once that month, you don't even know when the approximately 40 weeks is up. (The average time is 40.5 weeks, according to a study of about 1400 women: http://humrep.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/16/7/1497)

Unless the baby or you are at risk, I would not rush things. Yes, the last month of pregnancy feels like a year - been there twice, once all through the summer, and been induced once because my water broke (and that was the hardest and longest labor). The most important thing is the baby's health and yours, not anyone's discomfort or convenience. Why is Monday the magic date, unless the baby is overweight or there are medical reasons to induce?

By Kym on Monday, May 23, 2005 - 09:06 am:

My midwives had me on homeopathic blue and black cohosh every 15-30 minutes for 2 hours and it did not work for me, but it does for some women, any news this morning??