Preparing for labour.
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21745
Printed Date: 23 August 2025 at 7:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Preparing for labour.
Posted By: mamazozo
Subject: Preparing for labour.
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 1:51pm
|
Hey ladies!
Ive been looking into some herbal remedies lately which are supposed to help prepare your body for labour. The ones ive looked at are: - Raspberry Leaf Tea. - 5-W. - Pre-Birth Spray. I was just wondering if any of you ladies had tried these and what you thought of them, Any info would be helpful! Also if you know of any others or any other natural way to prepare your body which worked well for you  I know ive got a long time to go still but i wanna be ready haha.-------------    |
Replies:
Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 1:56pm
|
I'm no where near that stage yet but have heard evening primrose oil capsules up your fufu is suppose to soften the cervix and make dilation easier...?? -------------  
|
Posted By: mamazozo
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 1:58pm
|
Hey yeah i have heard that...im not so keen on that idea as apparently it feels quite uncomfortable, and ive heard mixed feedback as to whether it works. Another thing to look into though!! ------------- |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 1:59pm
|
i found the thing that needs the most preparation is the mind....
some people say they have had success with raspberry leaf tea etc but everyone is different. i dont think it hurts to try the tea so long as it is late enough in the prgnancy. some swear by massage of the perenium as a better way of helping your body too... ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
|
Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:02pm
|
If you are into natural things have you had a look at The Pink Kit? My midwife suggested it to me but since it's only early days I haven't looked into it. Try googling it I think there is a website for it. -------------
|
Posted By: mamazozo
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:03pm
Well ive been preparing myself mentally for quite a while...im just going to keep psyching myself up. Im actually quite excited about child-birth  Oh also i got this book from the library which i have really enjoyed i recommend it to anyone! its called "JuJu Sundin's Birth Skills with Sarah Murdoch."
Oh ok, ive had alot of people tell me that perenium massage doesnt work at all. Its not something im keen to try anyway lol. ------------- |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:12pm
|
lol! no i never tried it either... i have heard that it can help prevent tears tho. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
|
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:14pm
....really ? ...thats a good attitude to have , be excited about it , there isnt anything you can do to prevent it , so you might as well embrace it ..im trying to tell myself that, except I have the down fall of previous experience... I drank raspberry leaf tea, i think its supposed to soften the cervix ? i thought it bought labour on , anyway after 3 days of drinking it, and thinking it tasted fowl , i sold it to another pregnant girl for $ 5 ....so at least i didnt have my baby sooner, but it WAS 5 dollars richer ..... ------------- 
|
supazo wrote:Posted By: VannesaD
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:56pm
|
I used raspberry leaf tea for my first - don't think it did anything (except taste foul) - labour was long and hard.
This time around I am taking the 5w capsules - and the BH have increased significantly. So maybe they are doing something. Here's hoping.  -------------  
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 3:02pm
|
I second the Pick Kit idea! Not that I have gone through labour yet. But just reading the books gave me so much confidence about labour and birth. It is also great for involving your birth partner so they don't feel so useless. Completely changed my atttitude about the whole thing really!
I have been having the rasp. leaf tea too, I think it's just to tone the uterus? I have only been having 1-2 daily inslead of 3-4, but have noticed my BH's make my tummy much harder. This could also be because bubba is due...? ETA I put a mint leaf in with the tea to make it taste better -------------   
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 3:03pm
|
Can't help with the capsules and stuff as mine tried to escape early without any encouragement and am too scared the same is gonna happen this time to even think about things that bring on labour but mentally I would also read up on c/s. I honestly thought it was just one of those things that happen to other women and I didn't need to worry about it, freaked out a lot when they started prepping me for surgery and I didn't even really know what was gonna happen and wasn't in a good state to take in all the info being thrown at me by all the different doctors that turned up to tell me different things and get me to sign different forms etc. ------------- 
 
|
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 8:14pm
|
I took 5W tablets, had a quick easy labour, but perhaps that is just a coincidence. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 8:29pm
|
jaz I am jealous of your quick labour!!
I took 5W and went into labour at 38 weeks with a long hard labour (27 hours of labour and 3 hours of pushing) that ended in an emergency c section! I also did the perineal massage and walked for miles the weeks leading up to my due date just to help get things moving! I do recommend what cuppatea said and read up about c sections. I thought c sections only happened to "other women" aswell, when I was told I needed one I completely freaked out, had to sign numerous forms and was a blubbering mess by this stage as I was all to overwelmed by it all! All I wanted was the pain to go away and my baby to be born NOW!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 8:41pm
|
I took raspberry leaf -foul stuff. BUT birth one was posterior - usually a long labour - done in 4 hours. Birth two was just over two hours. ....so no idea but it can't hurt!
also they say it can bring on early labour - two weeks late and 10 days late. |
Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 8:41pm
|
I don't know if there is anything we can do to prepare for it aside from hope and pray that we don't tear in half lol!
I have spoken to heaps of women about their experiences trying to get an idea of what they found to be the best positions, breathing, exercises etc. Everyone of them has said they only thing that helped (and alot of them used the things you are talking about) was that once they accepted them pain and stopped fighting it, bubs came out. I'm a first timer so that's just what i've been told by my clients 99% of which are older or middle aged women. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/"> 
|
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 9:10pm
|
Evening primrose oil is for softening the cervix, as it helps promote the production of prostaglandins (sp?), which can either be taken orally or inserted in the vagina. I personally preferred to take it orally as the reaction is virtually the same :)
Raspberry leaf tea is to help tone and strengthen the uterus (being the huge muscle that it is), and there are varying opinions as to which stage of pregnancy you should start drinking it at - I probably didn't start with it until the third trimester :) I can't vouch for PreBirth spray or 5W though,sorry! As for perineal massage, I don't know how much doing it in advance would actually help - but I know it can be very useful in labour when baby is low in the birth canal and then crowning / being born etc. I would also love to try the Pink Kit the next time around too
------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: sadie
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 9:26pm
|
I took 5W on my midwife's recommendation.
She also gave me some homeopathic stuff to take when I was 4 days overdue. One was Black Cohosh, can't remember what the other was. My labour started 6 hours after taking them, and was 5 hours all up! Coincidence??? |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 9:31pm
ahhh yes....but wheres the fun in that ? haha The thing with labour, first labour , is that its not so much the pain , its the fact that for the first time in our lives , we are not in control of our bodies...right now , if i want to click my fingers i could , but when your in labour you cant control , or stop the next contraction ...thats what some women have trouble with , and tend to fight it , or try to, ...so , tho it will be a different story when your IN labour, try to remember that your body isn't really wanting to kill you ....tho it may feel like it, it has to "turn " on you , so to speak ,in order for the baby to come out , contractions aren't pleasent, but each one brings you closer to your baby ....least thats what i'll try and tell myself this time round bahahaha! ETA..this is neither here nor there with the physically preparing , more like "mentally preparing " And.....what the dickens is this 5 W stuff ? -------------
|
Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 10:30pm
|
Ahhh....see I am prepared to take what ever it takes to have a different type of labour from DD. I didnt take any thing and did nothing apart from walking. I had a 48 hr labour and CS. Its not because my body did things wrong but because little miss stubborn had her head in a wrong position and was looking up....
I will look into taking things to get my body ready...just in case but at the same time...how do you make sure your little monkey is in the right position?? Mentally as I was having DD I was not worried about the pain at all...I knew it was coming and I was prepared...It was the most painful thing I even went thru but I refused drugs because I wanted to feel it...as you dont go thru this every day, and the end result is going to be wonderful!! Every one is different tho....but I guess at the end of it we come out at the same place!!!
I will def talk to mt MW next time I see her re all the above!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: mamazozo
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 10:57pm
|
Thanks for all the feedback keep it coming
Think i will just try everything, as some of you said even if it doesnt help it cant hurt!! For those of you who used EPO is there a particular brand thats good?? oh and 5-W is a herb blend it has Black Cohosh root Squaw Vine herb Dong Quai root Butcher's Broom Red Raspberry leaf "The combined action of the herbs in this formula are directed to supporting women during the last stages of pregnancy. This herbal blend supplies nutrients supportive to the female glandular and reproductive systems. The formula contains iron for the blood and for vitality, manganese to support body tissues, and selenium to assist in healthy tissue growth." ------------- |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 11:17pm
|
I took 5W with the gremlins, don't know if it helped but it didn't do any harm - I had a 6 hour induced labour with both babies delivered naturally which was a lot faster/easier than my first birth, but then I didn't take anything at all with #4 and she flew out in under two hours so it could have just been coincidence with the gremlins. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 11:28pm
I agree with bizzy, preparing your mind is the best thing! Although, nothing really prepares you for labour! Its an amazing experience regardless of how it goes (mine sucked, all 48 hours of it!!) but Im amazed at my strength through the whole thing! and id do it again in a heartbeat! I did drink the rasberry leaf tea but it did nothing for me lol! ------------- |
Posted By: Motherof7
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 5:12am
|
Supazo
I used EPO in my last pregnancy and my labour was 1 hr 45 mins, I went from 5cm to 10 cm in 15 mins. My other 5 pregnancies I didn't use anything and they lasted from 3 hrs right up to 32 hrs. I've just brought my EPO for this time and you can get 180 1000mg capsules for $15 from Pav N Sav and I really don't think that it really makes a difference what brand they are. Oh and trust me , they are not uncomfortable to insert, easier than a tampon and you don't feel them at all. ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/"> 
Shayd, Sheneen, Shaymin, Shaydin, Shevannah, Sheleeah & Simeon |
Posted By: Motherof7
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 5:19am
|
Mum2Caden
Love your name lol We both have the same name but mine's spelt differently. ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/">
Shayd, Sheneen, Shaymin, Shaydin, Shevannah, Sheleeah & Simeon |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 8:22am
yeah ..and thank GOD for that! i wanted drugs, oh my i was screaming for them ....but left it too long , ah well , i lived, and at least i know if need be i can do it again without drugs ....yyyaaayyy....  -------------
|
Posted By: joyceeeeeeeee
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 11:43am
| Motherof6 You mean you instead of swollen EPO, inserting it to your under....? |
Posted By: Motherof7
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 12:04pm
I use it both ways..I take 3 a day and I also insert 1 at bedtime. lol ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/">
Shayd, Sheneen, Shaymin, Shaydin, Shevannah, Sheleeah & Simeon |
Posted By: MorgansMum
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 2:14pm
I found this to not sure if it was the capsule or mind over matter though
And raspberry leaf tea does taste foul lol ------------- Morgan, Libby http://www.TickerFactory.com/"> 
|
Posted By: *Lou*
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 2:39pm
|
I drank raspberry leaf tea with my last pregnancy. Not sure if it helped, but it sure stained my teeth. Had to go to the dentist at 39weeks to get them cleaned!
This time around I will take 5w as I have heard good things about it. Off topic a little, but I would highly recommend that you visit a osteopath or chiropracter in your last month of pregnancy to make sure your pelvis is correctly aligned and the gap is as big as it can be. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 5:43pm
Oh thanks hehe, how is yours spelt? ------------- |
Posted By: kmarie
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 6:45pm
|
I saw an osteopath right through my pregnancy, mostly because it was ACC follow-up from a fall and ongoing problems I had after my m/c last year. I think it made a huge diff, so would definitely recommend it.
I took 5W and raspberry leaf tea from about 39wks. My aunt swore by them as she only took them with her fourth baby and though all her kids were overdue, her fourth was the easiest delivery by a long way. I don't think it sped up delivery for me, as I ended up 3 days overdue and had a long labour. But I will definitely take them next time, as my labour/birth experience was entirely positive with no tearing etc. which I was delighted about! Oh, and while I was in the early stages of labour my mw recommended some of the ingredients that were in the pre-birth spray, so DH picked some up for me. Chances are it made a diff and sped things up slightly from that point on, but it is hard to tell. As an aside - definitely have rescue remedy on hand for labour and birth! I also used it at times during the first few days after delivery as I was quite shaky, probably because of my tiredness due to the length of my labour more than anything else. ------------- 
twins in heaven Oct07 Is 40:11 "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart." |
Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 7:05pm
|
I took 5W, and although I went 9 days overdue, and had a long latent first stage of labour, my active labour was only 8 hours (although I did have some tearing). I would take it again - I figure it didn't do any harm. I also tried EPO, but don't think it did anything for me!
A really good book I read is called "the big book of birth" by Erica Lyon, and I would really recommend it - it veers towards 'natural' labour/birth, but provides heaps of non-judgemental information about just about every intervention and pain relief you can think of! -------------  
|
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 8:52pm
|
I had one cup of raspberry leaf tea and one evening primrose capsule and my waters broke the following morning (37weeks4days). So in hindsight perhaps I should have avoided such things lol.... well at least until after my due date. Another excellent book is "Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth", which is about natural birth. Half of the book helps you to mentally prepare for labour, with excellent tips on dealing with pain, and the other half is devoted to birth stories (very inspirational). I'm usually a bit of a control freak, but reading this book helped me to realise that during labour your body takes over from your mind and does its job - it knows what to do. Trust that and go with the flow |
Posted By: Motherof7
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 10:54pm
Mines Spelt ..... Shenah (Chinese way of spelling) ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/">
Shayd, Sheneen, Shaymin, Shaydin, Shevannah, Sheleeah & Simeon |
Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 9:27am
|
I started taking EPO orally, 3 capsules daily from 38 weeks onwards and DD was born 6 days later. I had a fast, easy labour (6 hours from start of contractions to DD's arrival) and was back at home 4 hours after DD's birth
Can't say that it was the EPO which contributed to the easy labour, but I'll take it again with #2 just in case! I'm no earth mumma and was completely open to having drugs and an epidural if I felt I needed it but found I coped so much better than I thought I would and only used gas. Key factors for me were staying at home for as long as possible - by the time I got to hospital I was 9cm dilated, and breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth through contractions - it worked surprisingly well. |
Posted By: cass4
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 9:24pm
|
I took 5 - w with my last preg and my son was born after 4 hrs of labour start to finish but whether it was that or the fact my water's broke 1st and he was my 4th can't be sure but was quickest labour by far and will def take them again!
|
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 21 October 2008 at 12:50pm
|
I drank raspberry leaf tea, and took EPO orally and "down below" and my labour went for 3 days! I was only 2 days overdue when I went into labour though, and the long labour was because bubs was facing the wrong way so it took ages for everything to dilate. Thank God for drugs, is all I can say.
I think that distracting yourself from "wanting" to go into labour around the time you are due, is a good idea... have stuff planned to do, rest up with books and movies etc. And prepare your mind... when you go into labour, just think to yourself that soon you will be holding your baby. Even if the labour goes for 3 days, like mine, it is still only 3 days of your entire life, and it really is worth it. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 21 October 2008 at 3:30pm
|
lurker
doesn't the length of time labour lasts for reduce with each subsequent (sp) pregnancy. Its got somethinng to do with things not going back to what they were like beforehand. Also a wee question when i was born i was a face presentation and should have been a c/s if this hapens these days do they still do a c/s or do they let you deliver viginally. Mum was in labour with me for 22 hours or so. lurker out |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 21 October 2008 at 6:41pm
|
sweetpea, Chloe was face presentation... they offered a c-section but I wanted to stick it out so she ended up being a forceps baby. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: Motherof7
Date Posted: 23 October 2008 at 8:31am
|
sweetpea
Personally I think it's just an old wives tale about labours getting shorter.. Here's my list #1 9 hrs #2 18 hrs #3 32 hrs #4 3 1/2 hrs # 5 12 hrs #6 1 hr 45 mins ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/">
Shayd, Sheneen, Shaymin, Shaydin, Shevannah, Sheleeah & Simeon |