Black Cohosh? Cervidil? Anything?!

bekkabrat · January 2013

I'm 41 weeks today with baby #3 (first boy) and planning a natural labor at a birth center. My girls were born around 39w (#1) and 40w (#2) so I'm getting frustrated and anxious, especially knowing I won't get my birth center delivery if I don't go into labor soon.

Have any of you used black cohosh to induce before? I read that after 38w you could take 3 500mg capsules a day to encourage contractions and cervical ripening. Anyone have any advice or experience?

Don't really want to do castor oil and my midwives will prescribe Cervidil soon if things don't start naturally. Anyone with experience with Cervidil, also, who wants to share, please do.

Trying not to get discouraged. Have a chiropractor appt today at noon and acupuncture at 2:30. Trying everything!

lizzybean · January 2013

I was induced at 38w5d due to high BP and pre-e. The nurses knew I wanted a natural birth so they gave me cervadil and it worked like a charm. My body started having ctxs immediately and soon after my body took over and the ctxs never slowed. 11 hours into labour my water broke on its own and we never looked back! I think every woman and every pregnancy will be different, but I had a great experience with the cervadil! GL with your delivery!

bekkabrat · January 2013

That's encouraging! Thank you! I didn't know anything about it, so I wasn't completely sure how much to rely on it as a last resort. I'm happy to hear it can be so effective!

AllieJean · January 2013

I carried my son way past my due date. My midwife had me do an "herbal induction" It was black/blue cohosh and pennyroyal tincture and I had to do so many drops every 10 minutes for an hour and then every hour the number of drops went up, for like 6 hours. It was nasty, but it did get some pretty good contractions going and then I went into actual labor about 14 hours later. We also just had lots of sex, walked all over the place and tried to relax and not put too much pressure on me to get the show on the road.

drpayne · January 2013

My midwives suggest a tincture called Motherstar. It contains black and blue cohosh, a long with some other stuff. Last time I went into labor after using it once, which was a coincidence (I was over a week past EDD). This time, they said I could start them sooner (10-15 drops 3x/day). I think they generally work over time, unless you use them as PP described... a lot really close together.

Amanda&EricB · January 2013

Cervadil put me into labor. The plan was to start me on pit in the morning but I got the cervadil at 8pm and was having regular contractions by midnight.

Celyn · January 2013

I'm not a fan of black cohosh. I don't suggest using it unless you're working with an herbalist who knows you. It really messes with hormones. Castor oil can dehydrate you, especially in the crazy high dosages I see posted around the internet. Acupuncture is my favorite. It's rarely failed my clients.

bekkabrat · January 2013

Celyn:
I'm not a fan of black cohosh. I don't suggest using it unless you're working with an herbalist who knows you. It really messes with hormones. Castor oil can dehydrate you, especially in the crazy high dosages I see posted around the internet. Acupuncture is my favorite. It's rarely failed my clients.

I have heard that about castor oil and I haven't heard anything about black cohosh, so I think I will take your advice there. That is very encouraging! I will hope for the best from my appt this afternoon.

I'm really hoping I don't have to get to the Cervidil, but if I do, I hope it is that effective!

Thank you all so much for your advice.