Menstrual Cramps

[Megan BumpsStudent]

I know we can use herbs to help ease menstrual cramping, but those cramps are doing something, right? Is there any danger of making the contractions of the uterus too inefficient to do their job and causing issues?

[Bethany NelsonStudent]

I never thought of menstral cramps as having any benefits. I have a daughter who really suffers in pain with that time of the month. I would like to find herbs that can help her lesson the pain. Which thanks to some of the classes I think I have found some help for her. My guess to any benefit those cramps may have would be to help ease the egg down the follopian tubes and flush them out of our bodies. Really great question though, does make you wonder.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Muscle contraction is good and does important things. Muscle cramping isn’t good and doesn’t do important things. Cramping occurs when the muscle contracts excessively or when the muscle contracts and then can’t release. In addition to herbs that relax the muscles, proper magnesium and calcium levels can really help the muscles to function correctly.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Rachel Anderson, Megan Bumps

[Megan BumpsStudentTopic Author]

So, if uterine contractions are good, but uterine cramping is bad…what does that mean during labor? I know there is a whole lot more going on during labor, but contractions and cramping are part of it and relaxing the muscles makes things less intense. Is there anything that can be taken to help ease the labor pains that won’t hinder the progression of labor or is that just wishful thinking?

[Alana PotterStudent]

Midwife here—right, anything that would hinder the contractions of the uterus would be counterproductive to use in labor. Hence herbs like cramp bark or black haw that are traditionally used for alleviating menstrual cramps are not used in labor.  There are, according to my understanding, nutritive herbs that we always recommend for use during pregnancy in the belief that they support optimal function of the body which in turn should make for an easier and often faster labor with less overall pain.  I strongly encourage clients to drink lots of red raspberry leaf combined with oatstraw, nettles, alfalfa and red clover throughout the second and third trimesters.   My former preceptor also makes her own version of “prep herbs” which we suggest clients take in increasing amounts during the last six weeks before birth.   I cant say they reduce pain specifically but in my experience I have observed shorter, more straightforward labors when they are used, particularly with first time mothers.   We rarely have a FTM with longer than 12 hour labor.   There are many non pharmaceutical methods for reducing labor pain but the only botanical one I know of is aromatherapy.  Some women find diffusing or inhaling essential oils like lavender very therapeutic.  There are cautions, however, about the overuse of essential oils. Supplements like calcium and magnesium can be of some benefit.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Dr. Patrick Jones.

4 users thanked author for this post.

Elizabeth, Jenny Bright, Kelly Clemmer, Megan Bumps

[Alana PotterStudent]

An additional note on EOs during labor— smells are very important in the normal bonding and developmental processes of the newborn.  Having artificial odors of EOs present at birth may impact the baby’s  physiologic transition and beginning breastfeeding in ways we are as yet unaware of, so I suggest being careful about how much aromatherapy is going on in the labor room.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Megan Bumps

[Megan BumpsStudentTopic Author]

Thank you! That was very helpful!

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Alana is spot on. Proper nutrition during the months prior to delivery to prepare the body for the event is much more effective at making a nice delivery than trying to give an herb to overcome issues caused by inadequate nutrition during delivery. My wife (also a midwife) and I also recommend raspberry leaf, nettles and oat straw during gestation.

I don’t recommend red clover during pregnancy due to its estrogenic activity.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Dr. Patrick Jones.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Megan Bumps

[Author]

Posts