Hebrew Baby

Here is another wonderfully encouraging site for Homebirthin' Mammas! It has information, stories and testimonials from families who have chosen to have their babies at home. It give you a peak into their experiences. It also offers some practical information. Be sure to visit Hebrew Baby to be encouraged!

Homebirth Encouragment

I found this video during my last pregnancy and played it and played it through my time of waiting. I just thought it was one of the most beautiful things ever. I sang along with it - time and time again in my 9 months of waiting. This is how labor should be! This is how my last one was for sure. I even danced during (early) labor as I worshiped. May you be inspired to turn your next labor into a LABOR OF LOVE!

You can see her big pregnant belly during this video. I hope that is not offensive to anyone. Hopefully you can see past that to the beauty of her worship through her labor. It still makes me cry when I watch it! The beauty of her husband, daughter and midwife/friend all there and attentive to her during her labor in a priceless picture of love, family and community. It is so organic. It is so precious. Can you see the interaction between her and her husband as he leads her?? Can you see her shalom in the midst of her pain?

I get on my knees and thank YHVH for allowing me to have my babies at home in a similar way. I thank Him for the miracle of birth. I thank Him for brave women who are taking back this experience from the modern day "hospitals" that have tried to steal it from them in the name of "science". I pray that I may have another opportunity to bring another healthy baby into this world for YHVH.

You may want to investigate some herbal tips for this special time and other homebirth encouragement under my Pregnancy Label.

Herbs and Pregnancy

Many herbs stimulate the uterus and are unsafe for women who are pregnant. I have gathered this information form several resources to help with awareness during pregnancy. You are responsible for your own health.

These herbs should be avoided for who are pregnant:

• Arbor vitae (Thuja occidentalis): A uterine and menstrual stimulant that could damage the fetus.
• Autumn crocus (Colichicum autumnale): Can affect cell division and lead to birth defects.
• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Contains high levels of berberine, known to stimulate uterine contractions.
• Basil oil: A uterine stimulant: use only during labour.
• Beth root (Trillium erectum): A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus): May lead to premature contractions; avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth.
• Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis): A uterine stimulant that in quite small doses also causes vomiting.
• Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides): A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. Safe to use during childbirth.
• Broom (Cytisus scoparius): Causes uterine contractions so should be avoided during pregnancy; in parts of Europe it is given after the birth to prevent blood loss.
• Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus): Interferes with hormone production in the pituitary gland, so best avoided.
• Clove oil: A uterine stimulant used only during labour.
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Contains toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta; do not take internally.
• Cotton root (Gossypium herbaceum): Uterine stimulant traditionally given to encourage contractions during a difficult labour, but rarely used medicinally today.
• Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) An aphrodisiac that stimulates sex hormones, a nutritive for the endocrine system and promotes healthy libido. Not for use in pregnancy.
• Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens): Uterine stimulant, oxytocic.
• Dong quai (Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis): Uterine and menstrual stimulant, best avoided during pregnancy; ideal after childbirth.
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions.
• Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis): Uterine stimulant; may lead to premature contractions but safe during childbirth.
• Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus): Uterine stimulant; may cause premature contractions.
• Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Reduces vascular fragility and moderates inflammatory swelling. Helpful for varicose veins, spider veins, and hemorrhoids. Not for use in pregnancy.
• Juniper oil (Juniperus communis): A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
• Lady's mantle (Alchemilla xanthoclora): A uterine stimulant; use only in labour.
• Liferoot (Senecio aureus): A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that will cross the placenta.
• Mistletoe (Viscum album): A uterine stimulant containing toxic chemicals that may cross the placenta.
• Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
• Pennyroyal American (Hedeoma pulegioides): Reputed uterine stimulant to be avoided during pregnancy.
• European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
• Pokeroot (Phytolacca decandra): May cause birth defects.
• Pseudoginseng (Panax notoginseng): May cause birth defects.
• Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla): Menstrual stimulant best avoided during pregnancy; limited use during lactation.
• Rue (Ruta graveolens): Uterine and menstrual stimulant; may cause premature contractions.
• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.
• Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris): A uterine stimulant; use only during labour.
• Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
• Squill (Urginea maritima): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.
• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects.
• Wild yam (Diascorea villosa): A uterine stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance; safe during labour.
• Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum): A uterine stimulant that may also cause birth defects; avoid unless under professional guidance. Also avoid when breastfeeding.
  

I love to use Medicinal Strength Essential Oils for healing, however, some things that are fine for culinary use or a small accents in teas, are dangerous in high doses or with excessive use. Here is a list of some of those things. Essential oils are considered "high dosage", even though you only use small amounts because they are so concentrated. (Which makes them GREAT medicine any other time!) So be wise and careful.

Herbs to use only in moderation during pregnancy. In other words, High dosage especially for extended periods of time or essential oils are concerns but can still be used. I wouldn't "panic" about these, but I thought I would post them anyway in case there are folks who use them in extra ordinary doses:

• Alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Angelica (Angelica archangelica): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb.
• Anise and aniseed oil (Pimpinella anisum): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Bitter orange (Citrus aurantiam): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or in moderate use.
• Caraway (Carum carvi): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb.
• Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Celery seed and oil (Apium graveolens): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb.
• Chamomile oil: The oil is a potent uterine stimulant to be avoided, but the dried or fresh herb is safe in moderation.
• Chili (Capsicum spp): Avoid high doses as they may lead to heartburn; can flavor breast milk when breast-feeding. Moderate culinary use is fine.
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid the essential oil completely.
• Cowslip (Primula veris): Strongly purgative and a uterine stimulant in high doses.
• Elder bark: Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium luteum): A hormonal stimulant to avoid unless under professional guidance. Reproductive tonic, used to promote female infertility. Cleansing to the reproductive system and improves delayed menses, leucorrhea, ovarian pain, and male impotence. Contains estrogen precursors. Eases vomiting in pregnancy (small doses). Helps prevent threatened miscarriage.
• Fennel oil: A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb or during labour.
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica): Possible uterine stimulant; use in moderation for occasional teas only.
• Jasmine oil: A uterine stimulant best reserved for childbirth to ease labour.
• Lovage (Levisticum officinale): A uterine stimulant traditionally used in slow and difficult labour; safe as a culinary herb.
• Marjoram oil (Origanum vulgare): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.
• Myrrh (Commiphora molmol): A uterine stimulant that may lead to premature contractions; avoid high doses.
• Nutmeg Oil: Inhibits prostaglandin production and contains hallucinogens that may affect the fetus; once erroneously regarded as an abortifacient. Safe in normal culinary use.
• Oregano (Origanum X marjoricum; O. onites): A uterine stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Uterine stimulant that may also irritate the fetus in high doses; safe in normal culinary use.
• Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata): A uterine stimulant in high doses; safe for moderate use.
• Peppermint oil: A uterine stimulant; avoid the oil entirely, although low doses of the dried herb can be used.
• Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final six to eight weeks and during labour.
• Rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Rosemary oil: A uterine stimulant in high doses; safe in moderation and normal culinary use. Avoid using the oil entirely.
• Saffron (Crocus sativa): A uterine stimulant in high doses; safe in normal culinary use.
• Sage oil: A uterine and hormonal stimulant in high doses, but quite safe as a culinary herb; avoid using the oil entirely.
• Senna (Senna alexandrina): Strongly purgative, so should not be taken in high doses or for long periods.
• Squaw Vine (Mitchella repens) Tonifies the uterus and helps promote an easy labor. Helps to ease cramping and relaxes the nervous system. Not for use in pregnancy until it is time for labor.
• Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris): Some reports claim that it acts as a uterine stimulant, though the research is disputed; the herb is quite safe in cooking.
• Vervain (Verbene officinalis): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.
• White horehound (Marrubium vulgare): Reputed uterine stimulant; safe in moderation in cough drops.
• Wood betony (Stachys officinalis): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A uterine stimulant in high doses; best limited to the final weeks and during labour.

A Just FEW Helpful Herbs During Pregnancy:

• Parsley, Celery, Land Cress. Rocket are taken for vitamins and minerals. Do not use the seeds.
• Raspberry Leaf is used to tone the uterus.
• Cramp Bark (Vlburnum opulus) Relaxes muscle tension and spasms, soothes ovarian pain and uterine cramps. Used to prevent threatened miscarriage.
• For Morning Sickness: Camomile Tea (1 cup before rising); Ginger ( tincture, up to 1ml/day, 2-3 drops at a time); Peppermint (Tinture 2 ml in hot water 3x daily); Black Horehound (tincture -2 ml in hot water 3x daily)
  

Helpful Herbs For Delivery and After:

• Goldenseal can be taken during labor to assist the uterus.
• St. John's Wort (apply an oil infusion to the area, or add a strong infusion to a hip bath)
• Use the oil with added lavendar to heal the perineum after birth.
• Prepare a tincture with oats to use for postpartum depression.
• To boost milk production for nursing after the baby is born: Fenugreek, Fennel, Caraway, Borage and Milk Thistle are good.
• Sage is used to reduce milk production when weaning.
• Colic is soothed with Fennel
• For Mastitus, bruise Cabbage leaves, or Echinacea and use as a compress.
• Use calendula cream for diaper rash and cracked nipples.
• Caraway tincture or infusion, can help ease labor pains and stimulate the flow of breast milk.

A friend forwarded me some information from another friend who is an herbalist. This is what she had to say about herbal dangers during pregnancy, so I thought I would include it here as it appears to be wisdom:

All of the herbal advice I am giving is straight from what I learned at the School of Natural Healing. Their knowledge will probably differ drastically from other herbalists. What they know and what works is from tried and true years and years and years of case studies. (Decades and centuries). Other herbalists will tell you a lot of herbs are dangerous for pregnancy. This is based off of FDA herbal studies, where they isolate one compound in the herb and mulitply is dozens of times (synthetically) then inject it into an animal. Herbs in their whole food state (as the bible instructs) are for our food and medicine. There are some herbs that are best to avoid in early stages of pregnancy but can be used in the last few weeks for labor. (For instance pennyroyal, and black and blue cohosh). I also learned, and you may want to heed my learning, that colloidal silver is really not good for our bodies. It does> not differentiate between the good and bad flora. It will> kill infection and bacteria, but also the good stuff that we need to fight infection. Colloidal silver is great to disenfect water, if you need to. However, garlic is anatural antibiotic, antifungal, infection fighting, flu fighting, plague fighting herb that does no harm............

She also said:

Being pregnant you will really really need a natural source of calcium. The baby is going to draw all it needs from your food, but if you aren't getting enough, it will pull the calcium from your teeth, bones, veins, even muscles. Calcium tablets are not a good way to assimilate calcium. Take calcium via herbs and foods. All green leafy veggies, (Lots of them), spirulina, teas made from Horsetail grass, dandelion root and leaf, nettle (especially nettle), alfalfa. Drink teas all day. Make a big gallon and you can drink it cold. (I actually experianced my son drawing calcium from my teeth in my second pregnancy. I will post some of my tea recipes on this site under "herbals" that are very high in calcium and tasty too. They will say so. If you are interested.)

I am thankful for this information; I will still be cautious and dicerning with what I use during my pregnancy, I use alternatives to some things, but it has given me a little more "freedom" to use things I thought would be fine but showed up as "cautions" in my search. Especially if they do not state a specific side effect and is something that is very common (like peppermint for instance).

I hope you find this helpful and welcome any further comments.

Midwifery Tips - Preparing the Cervix for Birth

My first Midwife taught me to use Evening Primrose Oil in preparing the cervix for a healthy birth. The evening primrose oil softens the cervix, making the birthing process more "comfortable". (Ha ha) This was a blessed thing, because my first delivery was breach - butt first! Talk about uncomfortable. :-) I have had midwives comment on the fact that my cervix was like "mush" when giving birth. I have never torn. So this is something I always recommend when people ask.

Application:

Any good quality Evening Primrose Gelcaps will do. I prefer to get the strongest ones I can find. They are bigger to swallow, but handy for the second part of the process. You could get the smaller cap to take orally if you prefer.

You start 6 weeks before your due date:

• Taking 1 capsule daily for the first four days.
• Than increase to 2 caps for the next three days.
• Then increase to 3 caps for the next week.
• Than increase to 4 caps for the next week.
• Than increase to 5 caps for the next week.
• When you are two weeks away from your due date, while continuing the oral dosage, you add a topical regimen. You start applying the oil topically along the vaginal walls daily in the evening at bed time. Do this by poking a clean pin into the gel cap and squeezing out the gel and applying topically.

Midwifery Tips - Hemorrhoid Healing

Wishgarden Herbs has many wonderful remedies, here is another one that I have used; now called Hemm Sitz. http://www.wishgardenherbs.com/index.php?load=pregnancy&group_id=9#Hemm'%20Sitz I plan to make my own now since I am a budding herbalist.

Ingredients: Witch Hazel leaf & bark,Yarrow flowers, White Oak bark, Plantain leaf, Comfrey leaf & Sea salt.

Directions: Gently shake jar to redistribute any settled herbs. Place a handful (approx. 1/3 cup) of herbs into a quart of boiling water. Simmer for 10-12 minutes. Strain out herbs and add remaining liquid to warm water in Sitzbath tub. Soak in healing sitzbath 1-3 times a day as desired for relief.

Inexpensive sitzbath tubs are available in most pharmacies. Otherwise, a large bowl or small tub may be used. Less conveniently, a large bowl, or small tub, may be be used instead. Do not over-dilute herbs by adding to a full bathtub of water.

My Preferred Method - Make your own "Tucks" Pads:

• Make the "tea" and put it in a water bottle with a sports cap and store in the fridge. The cold application is very soothing whenever possible.
• Get some of those flat cotton cosmetic pads (or cotton balls will work in a pinch). They are either round or square. Saturate with solution and store in the those low round mason jelly jars in the fridge or by the toilet. Use to wipe with instead of TP. The herbal solution is healing and it reduces irritation from wiping with dry TP.
• You can carry in Ziploc baggy on the go for when you are away from the house.
• ***You also use them as a compress, letting the pad stay in place for 15 minutes at a time to overnight. Using a pantie liner in the panties or a towel in bed is necessary when doing this, because it is a little drippy. However it is the most effective way to reduce the roid quickly. This is a much more practical application than a sitz bath if you are running a busy household.
• If you make your own salves this makes a wonderful salve.
• Keep in mind it works for men too!

Midwifery Tips - Afterbirth Healing

My first Midwife introduced me to a wonderful product by Wish Garden Herbs about 11 years ago, called After-Birth Sitz Bath http://www.wishgardenherbs.com/index.php?load=pregnancy&group_id=6#AfterBirth%20Sitzbath We have used it for all of our births and I am going to make it for my next. It is a mixture of dry herbs brewed like a tea for external use.

Here are the ingrediants:
Uva Ursi leaves, Yarrow Flowers, Plantain Leaves, Sage Leaf, Comfrey Leaf, Comfrey Root, Witch Hazel Leaf, Sea Salt

• 3 ways to use this:
  
  1. In a sitz bath like the package says.
  
  These are the two ways my midwife taught me and I found were very helpful. I did not try the sitz bath though. Make a big batch of this "tea" ahead. It will keep in the fridge or freezer. It is an easy job for hubby or a helper during labor if you didn't get to it.
  
  2. Herbal Pads
• Prepare a large batch of the tea (like a big soup pot full) and let cool completely. Get a nice pouring picture to use for the next step.
• Get about 10-12 of those BIG hospital style Kotex from the birthing supply (in addition to what the midwife recommends for after the birth. The fluffy, really long, old-school cotton kind without any gel inside. You will also need the medical lap mats to lay under you in the bed after the birth).
• Lay the pads out onto a cookie sheet than gently pour the tea over the top (into) of each pads, soaking it well until saturated. (Try not to pour over the sides of the pad, this will cause the pads to freeze to the tray.)
• Put trays in the freezer. Freeze until solid. Take off trays and store in Ziploc or plastic Wal-Mart bags in freezer.

To use: Directly after your birth, you will use these pads as healing icepacks. You will lay a frozen pad on top of two dry pads inside the panty. (Stacked like one lays bricks. Two dry ones on the bottom and the frozen one on the top middle.) The pads below will serve two purposes, to absorb blood and melting tea. Do this for the first 12 hours or so (+ -), one after the other. You will need to be on your medical mats because it can get messy (but it is anyway!). The pads will melt, which adds a little more wetness, but it is so worth it! It is good to switch them quickly after they have fully melted, this keeps the coldness continuing to sooth any swelling or irritation as well and its a very comforting effect. If you dose off into naps or sleeping, that is fine (and good) you just swap them when you wake again.

3. Herbal Wash

• Collect some water bottles with sports caps ahead of time. You can get use 2 or 3 and have hubby or helper fill them as they empty. Or you can fill about a dozen of them ahead of time with the "tea" and fridge or freeze. (If freezing leave a little room for expansion.)

To use: After the birth you will use these in place of toilet paper. This is soothing and healing. It elimunates the irritation of abrasion that come with wiping. The herbs are healing, soothing and antiseptic. You squirt the tea liberally and with a good bit of force from front to back, while sitting on the toilet. It is kind of like a homemade bode (French style toilet). This is especially soothing when cold. (You can keep it in a little ice bucket near the toilet for the first few days.) I like to keep a bottle at the toilet for the first 5 days or so. It is a good job for your helpers to keep stocked for you.