The Midwife’s Brew Recipe: All You Need to Know
Pregnancy is always a time of great anticipation and excitement but when you are nearing your due date, it gets frustrating to wait. Some women even try the following: natural home remedies for the induction of labor, and one talked about most recently is the “Midwife’s Brew.” This recipe has been in the limelight and gained popularity by claiming that it could stimulate contractions to encourage labor. But does it work? Is it safe? This article will explore the Midwife’s Brew recipe and the science behind it, along with its ingredients, safety, and FAQs.
What is Midwife’s Brew?
Midwife’s Brew is an at-home brew that some expectant mothers have tried using to induce labor naturally. The brew is essentially a blend of ingredients thought to help stimulate the uterus, soften the cervix, and ultimately bring on labor.
It is often recommended by midwives or passed around on the internet, although there is no scientific basis for its effectiveness. More importantly, midwives generally recommend this brew only in specific situations and never until a woman is full-term, which is generally after 39-40 weeks.
Ingredients of the Midwife’s Brew:
These ingredients in the old Midwife’s Brew recipe may vary slightly between the many sources, but in general, they include the following elements:
Castor Oil:
The core ingredient of Midwife’s Brew is castor oil. It has been postulated to stimulate the bowels as a sort of laxative that may lead to contractions. Theoretically, the spasmodic contractions of the gastrointestinal tract would trigger uterine contractions. It is also proposed to stimulate prostaglandin synthesis, which are hormones that facilitate cervical ripening and preparation for labor.
Almond Butter:
Almond butter is added to the brew mainly to make it smooth and not so tangible in terms of taste, as castor oil can be bitter. It’s also an herb that helps in relaxation and is known to be full of good fats, which will provide some kind of nourishment to keep the mother on her feet for the whole duration of labor.
Lemon Verbena or Lemon Balm Tea:
Both lemon verbena and lemon balm are used to counteract stress, promote digestive issues, and calm the nervous system in herbal medicine. Tea brewed with these herbs can be calming, helping to relax-just what a woman in labor may need. Lemon balm also contains some minor uterine-stimulating properties.
Apricot Juice:
Apricot juice can be used for flavoring and hydration, though is also known to have mild laxative effects which may stimulate labor as well.
Optional Ingredients:
- Other versions of the brew include extra ingredients, which may contain cinnamon, ginger, or other herbs, to mask the flavor better or provide extra benefits for the laboring process. Usually added to taste, many variations exist depending on the specific advice by the midwife or herbalist.
- The most traditional Midwife’s Brew recipe includes 2 ounces of castor oil, 1 tablespoon of almond butter, a cup of apricot juice, and a tea made from either lemon verbena or lemon balm.
How Does Midwife’s Brew Work?
It is assumed that components of the potion, specifically castor oil, activate the gastrointestinal system, leading the uterus to contract as well. “Castor oil induces an intestinal spasm, and the spasms of the gut are considered to initiate uterine spasms by way of the same section of the nervous system controlling both organs.”.
Another reason why castor oil is included in the brew is due to its property of inducing contractions in the uterus. Castor oil will enhance the levels of prostaglandins in the body that ripen up the cervix and prepare it for labor hence creating easy inception. However, even as it stimulates labor in certain women, its effectiveness cannot be guaranteed hence there should always be caution.
Is Midwife’s Brew Safe?
While the ingredients used for Midwife’s Brew are generally safe to consume, only in moderate amounts, not every pregnant woman is advised to try this. Castor oil is a highly debated substance when it comes to its safety and effectiveness in causing labor. There are chances that pregnant women may be at risk by trying it.
- Dehydration and Diarrhea: The use of castor oil can cause severe diarrhea, and this can quickly get a pregnant woman dehydrated. The risk of such dehydration for the mother and the baby is that it can trigger early contractions that may distress the baby.
- Causes of nausea and vomiting: Castor oil induces many cases of nausea and vomiting, and most pregnant women using it experience discomfort or even danger to their attempt to induce labor.
- Uterine Hyperstimulation: Sometimes, castor oil may result in an overly active uterus and subsequently, uterine hyperstimulation. This usually enhances the possibility of fetal distress, umbilical cord prolapse, or even uterine rupture in extreme instances.
- Not Every Woman Responds to It: Some women claim to have been successful with Midwife’s Brew, but many others do not find any success to expect at all from it. It depends on the individual woman.
When Should You Use Midwife’s Brew?
Midwife’s Brew should only be tried under the direction of a qualified healthcare provider, preferably a midwife or doctor. Most practitioners will not suggest it is attempted until after 39 weeks of gestation and only if the pregnancy has been complication-free. Even then, it may not be suggested first. Other induction methods, such as membrane sweeping or prostaglandin gel will likely be attempted first.
Never do this without first getting your healthcare provider’s OK. The use of castor oil or any other inducing remedy can be dangerous. They may be able to tell you if it is safe for your situation and if there is a safer way to induce.
Midwife’s Brew Recipe:
If approved by your healthcare provider, here is a common recipe for this brew.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz castor oil
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- (slick)
- 1 cup apricot juice
- 1 cup steeped and cooled lemon verbena or lemon balm tea
- Combine castor oil, almond butter, apricot juice, and cooled tea in the blender.
Blends easily:
- Give it to the patient to drink, preferably after the patient has had an inconsequential meal so that the medication does not nauseate him or her.
- Some women like to drink this in the evening, in the hope it will induce them to go into labor overnight. Very important, though, is staying hydrated, resting, and getting in touch with your healthcare provider if you suffer from diarrhea, nausea, or other concerning symptoms.
5 FAQs:
1. Does Midwife’s Brew work?
It sometimes works; some women say that it worked well for them, while for others, there seems to be no change in the progression of labor. In general, its efficacy is supported by only minor scientific evidence, and it doesn’t work all the time.
2. Can I use Midwife’s Brew if I have had a previous C-section?
Once you have had a previous C-section, it is best that you discuss any labor-inducing methods with your physician. Induction using agents such as castor oil may lead to a higher chance of uterine rupture; this is particularly true among women who have had a previous C-section. Always consult your healthcare provider before trying out any home remedies.
3. Would this help work before 39 weeks of pregnancy?
No, midwives do not recommend using Midwife’s Brew before 39 weeks. A precedence for a full-term pregnancy may make early induction riskier, and most midwives will suggest trying it only after a full-term pregnancy.
4. What are the symptoms of labor onset after consuming Midwife’s Brew?
The symptoms of onset of labor after the use of Midwife’s Brew are contractions that happen regularly, water breaking, or the start of other symptoms of labor. However, if the contractions are too sharp, or in case of symptoms such as heavy bleeding, consult your health practitioner immediately.
5. Is Midwife’s Brew, a natural brew given to induce labor, only an option?
Other women opt for other natural induction techniques such as walking, nipple stimulation, eating spicy food, or using evening primrose oil. None of these has been scientifically researched and any of them should only be attempted after consulting your provider.
Conclusion:
Midwife’s Brew is one of the natural interventions many women take to induce labor, but it also has dangerous side effects. It should be taken with caution and only under the guidance of a healthcare provider. The ingredients for this brew, especially castor oil, can stimulate contractions in some women, but there are side effects and complications that must not be ignored. Always make sure that you are safe and discuss with your healthcare provider some of the best methods for starting labor if you almost reach your due date.
