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

Re: Herbal cervix ripeners - Pt. II

From: Noelle (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 30 Sep 1997 23:37:50 -0500 (CDT)

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Previous message: stacy: "Re: Truth is Funnier than Fiction!"
In reply to: D. Ashley Hill, M.D.: "Re: Herbal cervix ripeners"

At Tue, 30 Sep 1997, D. Ashley Hill, M.D. wrote: (snip) >The overwhelming majority of people I know consider "natural" or herbal
>compounds to be safer than presecription medications. I feel that in
>many cases it is the opposite.

(snip) >Unless I am mistaken, there are no controlled medical studies to support
>the use of any herbal compounds for cervical ripening.

Ashley,

First, I absolutely respect your opinions about this and other subjects. I totally understand that "herbal" or "natural" preparations are indeed medications and should not be regarded as anything but that. Unfortunately, there's not really enough moneymaking potential in things like PN6 or evening primrose oil for major pharmaceutical companies to sponsor extensive R & D controlled testing. So we're in a Catch 22 with this one -- should we totally ignore the "anecdotal" information passed from generation to generation about "herbal" preparations, for example through generations of lay midwives? I think it's really unfortunate that any of this info is so hard to come by nowadays.....I'm curious to see if anyone else on this forum responds to my initial questions, in fact.

The idea behind using a product like PN6 is to *gradually* soften the cervix. That was my certified nurse midwife's experience....too bad we can't get any testing to see if this is the norm with this product or not. I do know that prostaglandin gels worked alot faster and *much* more intensely than PN6 is said to work....I've been there. I was in the hospital going the prostaglandin route already with my first son, and I was definitely "in labor" from them. I'd like to be able to do some softening more gradually BEFORE that point, and that's what I'm hoping to get from the PN6.

Believe me.....I am the very last person who would even consider doing anything risky with this baby. As far as I'm concerned, the riskiest thing right now to me is for this baby to be inside any longer than absolutely necessary, just in case something goes wrong with the cord or placenta or whatever -- another "freak occurrence" that I'd like to avoid. None of you knew me before my first son died, but I used to be MUCH more anti-interventionist as far as maternity care went than I am now. Still, I have to believe that generations of women must have known SOMETHING about what worked and didn't work as far as herbs and "natural" medications (for lack of a better term since most commercial meds are "natural" as you point out). It frustrates me that it's so hard to get that info.

Again, I really do appreciate your input, Ashley, and I respect your opinions. Thank you for responding.

>Best of luck to you with your pregnancy. I'm guessing 8:42 p.m. and 7#, 11 oz!

Now if you could only tell me the DATE!! :)

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

Previous message: stacy: "Re: Truth is Funnier than Fiction!"
In reply to: D. Ashley Hill, M.D.: "Re: Herbal cervix ripeners"

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