WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for September, 1997: Herbal cervix ripeners

Herbal cervix ripeners

From: Noelle (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 29 Sep 1997 11:26:09 -0500 (CDT)

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Reply: D. Ashley Hill, M.D.: "Re: Herbal cervix ripeners"

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any information or experience with any herbal preparations to ripen the cervix and encourage labor along? I am 35 weeks today and I am trying to find "natural" ways to not go overdue. After the stillbirth of my first son, there's no way I can face going overdue and I'd really like to avoid Pit if at all possible. If I had my druthers, this baby would be here in 3 weeks! (At least that's what I've been telling him!)

One of my midwives recommended an herbal pill sold over the counter called PN6. I think it has black & blue cohosh, red raspberry leaves, evening primrose oil and some other things I'm forgetting. The label says to start taking it at 34 weeks, but this midwife says I shouldn't start before 36 (and another midwife says not before 37 weeks). The midwife who recommended it says it's a 'ripener' more than anything and probably won't actually start any contractions or anything, but that it may be one way to make my cervix a bit more ready if we decide to go the prostaglandins and possible Pit route. (Maybe the PN6 and prostanglandins may be enough to kisckstart labor even without Pit.)

Also, I've heard of a similar product called 5W -- any konwledge or experience with that?

The midwife did not recommend drinking teas or tinctures of these herbs because the levels of the herbs are harder to regulate that way. Of course, when I look at the "Wise Women's Herbal," they say *avoid* the PN6 and drink black & blue cohosh tincture! This book was published in 1986, so do you think their info is outdated? Either way, I'd trust my midwife first.

Thank you -- any info and experience would be very helpful

--
Noelle
Mom to Ethan (stillborn 12/2/96) and Max (due 11/4/97)

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