Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Home Birth
Posted By Jacque on July 14, 2009
I have been too busy to blog much for the past few days. I had been transferring my Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Home Birth posts from an old blog last week, and I am so glad I re-read them! So much info there.
I have been feeling well. After all the work we did in June, I know what exhaustion is, so I really don’t feel too tired until late evening which means “Go to bed!”. I do need to remember to take my iron, and I need to get some more chlorophyll. I gave the last of my bottle to Mrs. Lirette when they left last month, because it has so many benefits. I can’t tell you all the benefits of chlorophyll, but I have posted about it in some of the posts below. Oh, and I guess I also need to get some more Pregnancy Tea or some Red Raspberry Leaf. My midwife told me several years ago that it is such a beneficial herb that all women should take it for uterine health.
I am glad I did the work on these articles a couple of years ago, because, now, it is right at my fingertips! 
Here are some. There are more in the category and more to come:
Staying Healthy and Taking Supplements to Combat Fatigue in my 1st Trimester
Breastfeeding While Pregnant and Cow’s Milk
Herbal Helps, Vitamin Supplements and other Pregnancy Health Tips
More Pregnancy Stuff – Swelling
Much of my information came from a favourite book of mine, A Guide to Motherhood, Herbs, Helps and Pressure Points for Pregnancy and Childbirth by Katherine Tarr. It has been a constant read for this and the last three pregnancies.
I need to get my home birth stories on here… I’m only a little behind on scrapbooking and writing them out somewhere to keep them! I don’t even know if I transeferred them. All in good time…
blessings!
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As with all of my nutrition and health articles, these are not meant to diagnose or cure any ailments my readers may have. These are based on my own experiences. Please consult your physician, if you feel you need answers to this information.
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4 Responses to “Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Home Birth”
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I would LOVE to read your birth stories! I think you read that with each pregnancy the fear of the pain and hard work of labor has really grown for me, so I’m reading all I can! I have Hazel’s birth story up, but I never did record the boys’.
You really do forget sooo much…. (((((HUGS))))) sandi
(((((HUGS))))) sandi´s last blog ..Prayer Monday
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The rasperry leaf tea is good for the last 6 weeks, but it is best left till at time as it can induce labour in some circumstances.
[Reply]
July 15th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Hi Jenny~
In my research, I found this, “…and some U.K. midwives claim an increase in miscarriage rates,” which gives me some understanding of your comment. It makes me wonder what dosage has been given, what other herbs RRL may have been given with or perhaps, processed with in the UK, as well as its uses during pregnancy.
The same article states, “Red Raspberry leaf does not start labor or promote contractions.It is NOT an emmenagogue or oxytocic herb. What it does is help strengthen the pelvic and uterine muscles so that once labor does start the muscles will be more efficient.”
~from Tripod
Research shows that Red Raspberry Leaf is a safe and very good herb to take from week 32 on, according to “documented” research.
However, based on its extended use for thousands of years by midwives of old and chinese herbalists, many doctors and midwives recommend it before and throughout pregnancy. As a matter of fact, its reputation shows that, contrary to causing labour, it actually causes the smooth uterine muscles to relax. It also helps calm cramping of the uterus.
While not everyone reacts the same to any herb, medication or drug, this is a proven safe and very beneficial herb to take. One thing is that you must take it from a reputable herbal manufacturer. One site pointed out the fact that sometimes there are other things added to herbs, which may contraindicate the herb’s effectiveness… and, presumably, possibly induce labour. Another thing is that, if a woman is already having problems, and takes this drug to contraindicate the bleeding or other pre-miscarriage problems, it may be taken with the expectation that it will stop these symptoms, though it may not.
I did not find any research (other than what I put above) that indicated that it starts labour. There was one site that said that “Anecdotal reports say that Raspberry leaf may cause Braxton-Hicks contractions”, but that is not what the research has shown for centuries in use of this herb in women’s health and pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Maternity Corner explains its influence on Braxton Hicks contractions, in its article Natural Labor Induction Methods by Jessica Hudson, like this: “Red raspberry leaf tea is a uterine tonic used by Native Americans for thousands of years. It tones your uterus by helping to “focus” your Braxton Hicks contractions. Think of its job as helping your uterus do more effective exercising while you are pregnant. It does not “cause” contractions and can be safely used throughout pregnancy. It is contraindicated for those having complications “just in case”, however, by most doctors who do not understand its use. Many women safely use it from the moment they learn they are pregnant at six weeks until months after delivery. (It helps to tone the uterus after delivery as well, shrinking it back to size more quickly and reducing bleeding.)”
Personally, I have taken it with the last three births, at the suggestion of my 2 midwives. I was in my late 30’s each time, and had no problems whatsoever relating to taking it. I started drinking RR Tea this time when I was in my first trimester.
I did have pre-term labour with my fourth pregnancy, at age 28. I was under the care of a physician, not a midwife, and was put on medication and bedrest for over 4 months.
Resources:
http://konzababy.tripod.com/RRL.htm
http://www.birthsource.com/scripts/article.asp?articleid=127
http://www.maternitycorner.com/mcmag/articles/preg0007.html
[Reply]
I love RRL and drank it during all of my last pregnancy. I had the most wonderful homebirth! I never took chlorophyll – I need to look into that. We have 5, but would love to be blessed with at least 2 more.
Michelle´s last blog ..Day Book
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