Labor (birthing)
See also: Parturition
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VIDEOS:
Routine Vaginal Delivery: What to Expect
Best Food for Labor and Delivery
Medical Procedures to Avoid After Birth
To help the mother prepare for birth,raspberry leaf and squaw vine can be taken continuously after the first trimester. It's not known how they act, but raspberry probably builds up the strength of the myometrium (uterine muscle), which leads to an easy birth. The value of raspberry leaf in pregnancy has been proven in many cases and there is no evidence for any deleterious effect. During labor, raspberry should be taken with increased frequency, up to six 5mL doses in a dy. Cramp bark may also be prescribed if there is a problem with dilation of the cervix, as can Mitchella and Actea.
Sheep Sorrel is an important herb in midwifery. It helps to deliver the placenta after childbirth and cuts down on postpartum bleeding
On Subluxation at Birth:
“Research indicates that the major cause of spinal kinesiopathy in infants is childbirth and its widespread incidence, during infancy. In our mind, stressing the need for correction from birth so that irreversible subluxation degeneration changes do not occur.” Abraham Towbin, M.D., Neuropathologist, Harvard Medical School
“If subluxations are not corrected early “when they are caused shortly after birth,” the subluxation will be difficult or impossible to correct later. Subluxations can reduce nerve impulses by 60%” Chung Ha Suh, Ph.D., University of Colorado
Articles/Studies
- Hazmat Birth
- Largest study of its kind of women in labor finds nitrous oxide safe, side effects rare (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529190731.htm)
- Midwifery care at hospitals is associated with fewer medical interventions (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171116132736.htm)
- No evidence that water birth poses harm to newborns (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160121190918.htm)
- The effect of aromatherapy with lavender essence on severity of labor pain and duration of labor in primiparous women
- Swedish massage techniques with or without chamomile oil can improve labor outcomes.
- Aromatherapy and Massage Intrapartum Service Impact on Use of Analgesia and Anesthesia in Women in Labor: A Retrospective Case Note Analysis
- Complications at birth associated with lasting chemical changes in the brain (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171128090957.htm)
- New medicine to prevent mothers dying in childbirth succeeds in first trial in humans (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170321092631.htm)
- Impact of common risk factors on outcomes for home, birth center births (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170413154439.htm)
- A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation. Review of the literature and recommendations for practice.
- Watchful waiting or induction of labor – a matter of informed choice: identification, analysis and critical appraisal of decision aids and patient information regarding care options for women with uncomplicated singleton late and post term pregnancies: a review
- Consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour, and produced a more favourable, but non-significant, delivery outcome.
- Dates consumption reduces the need for labour augmentation.

