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Abstract

Pregnancy can be the most paranormal and exciting time for expectant mother. Nature provides us with many tools for supporting both the mother and baby through this time of growth and renewal, to strengthen the spirits and body to promote a healthy pregnancy and birthing process. Pregnant and lacting mother need to be educated on the need for caution when using herbs during pregnancy and lactation particularly in view of lack of complete information. The women self administer herbal medicines both before and after pregnancy often without any recognition of their potential hazards. The use of herbal supplements in pregnancy and lactation is likely to be relatively high and its importance ascertains what supplements women are taking. Pregnancy and lactation care providers should be aware of common herbal supplements used by women and of evidence regarding potential benefits or harm. Midwives and obstetricians have an obligation to facilitate women's wishes without condemnation, but this must be tempered with accurate information to ensure that use of herbal remedies in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not only appropriate but also safe if use with proper caution. The herbs listed in this review are recommended by experienced herbalist and have been used safely by women for centuries.

An Investigation into the Use of an Herbal Labor Induction Tincture Containing Black Cohosh, Cramp Bark, Partridgeberry, and Motherwort on Contractile Responses Produced from Isolated Strips of Mouse Uterine Tissues

“…12 In like manner, the use of partridgeberry is considered as safe during labor; it is considered to tone and strengthen the uterus, resulting in more uniform uterine contractions. [29][30][31]33,34 Motherwort is said to be a fine uterotonic as it promotes a calming influence, relieves pain, and prevents miscarriage. 29 However, even though some sources report that motherwort can be used safely during pregnancy and to ease birth, 29,33 is has also been reported to be unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may cause birth defects.…”

“…29 However, even though some sources report that motherwort can be used safely during pregnancy and to ease birth, 29,33 is has also been reported to be unsafe for use during pregnancy as it may cause birth defects. 34 Cramp bark, the remaining herbal ingredient in the labor induction tincture, has not been historically reported as a uterotonic. Instead, it is claimed to sedate the uterus and reduce the pains caused by uterine contractions.…”

“…Of the four herbals tested, partridgeberry produced average uterine contractile forces of 139% of its oxytocin response, and these were even greater than those produced from black cohosh (115% oxytocin response). While partridgeberry does contain saponins, 67,33,34 information is not yet available on its distribution as compared to black cohosh.…”

Clinical Implications of Herbal Supplements in Conventional Medical Practice: A US Perspective

“…Pregnant women with pre-existing conditions like epilepsy and asthma are at increased risk of potential herb-drug interactions. Besides, theoretical concerns exist about some herbs' teratogenic or embryotoxic effects [83,84].…”

Canadian sainfoin and fenugreek as forage and functional foods

“…Antinutrients were not considered as a factor in any of the human trials involving fenugreek, since the quantities were not large enough to influence the outcomes of the studies, though there were a few reported cases of allergy symptoms (Patil, Niphadkar, & Bapat, 1997). Normally, subjects who have demonstrated allergies to legumes are usually excluded from human trials and studies suggest that large amounts of fenugreek may cause uterine contractions, miscarriage, or premature labor (Shinde, Patil, & Bairagi, 2012) as well as estrogenic activity (Sreeja, Anju, & Sreeja, 2010).…”