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Ask A Doula
Questions and Answer

Q.What natural herbs, teas, oils or methods can safely be used to induce labor? Currently at approx 1 centimeter 50% effaced, back aches, mild contractions as of now...

A. Sounds like you are in early labor, congratulations! You must be very excited! Take some time to eat frequently for as long into labor as you can, keep drinking water and raspberry tea and any other fluids that taste good to you. Take a long walk, eat something, take a shower, enjoy some nipple stimulation and perhaps have an orgasm and then, after a loving foot and leg and back massage from your partner or doula, take a nap. You should have a baby before too long. Call your doula so that she can come to you or speak to you on the phone now and keep you feeling safe and confident for the upcoming birth.

As with any herb or remedy, please check with your caregiver before using. I have included a list from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun Weed -

• visualization - imagine the uterus beginning to contract - the cervix softening, ripening and opening. The mind is a very powerful tool and this remedy will work well in combination with the others.
• Caulophyllum 200X is a homeopathic remedy. The dose can be repeated every half hour for two hours.
• Caster oil mixed with a little vodka and a little orange juice (two ounces each) repeated up to three times and then followed by a hot shower and perhaps an enema (if one is even necessary). This will give you lots of cramping and diarrhea so be prepared.
• Blue Cohosh tincture, 3-8 drops in a glass of war water or tea. Repeat every half hour for several hours until contractions are regular. If labor is not regular after 4 hours, use a dropperful of the tincture under the tongue every hour for up to 4 more hours or until contractions are strong and consistent.

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.