Fenugreek to induce labor

[Anonymous]

Fenugreek is a vegetable...The extract is from the seeds of a green vegetable that is commonly eaten in India. My grandma used to grow it in our backyard in California and I loved when she cooked it up for us when we were kids, despite its bitter taste. I know that doesnt really help for this purpose ir answer the OPs question but just a little context on the vegetable (its not really an herb though it looks like one)

[Anonymous]

Nipple stimulation. Works even better if you can do it in the way of milking yourself...think of the way your baby would suckle, not the way your husband would

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fenugreek is a vegetable...The extract is from the seeds of a green vegetable that is commonly eaten in India. My grandma used to grow it in our backyard in California and I loved when she cooked it up for us when we were kids, despite its bitter taste. I know that doesnt really help for this purpose ir answer the OPs question but just a little context on the vegetable (its not really an herb though it looks like one)

Just because it's a vegetable doesn't mean it's safe. Plus in supplement form it is concentrated. Poison Ivy is a plant!

[Anonymous]

Yes, fenugreek is a labor inducer. I have used it three times for all my labors typically when my contractions are around 15-10 minutes apart (and before I go to the doctor). Be sure to ONLY use it when labor pains start since it speed up the labor pretty quickly. DO NOT use it before labor. You may still go through the labor pains but it speeds up the dilation and effacing process. I typically use the seeds and boil 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in one mug of water. The process is simlar to making tea where the essence will come out and turn the liquid darker. the boiling process is pretty quick 2-5 minutes (vigorous boiling) so be sure to watch it while it is boiling or slow boil it for a longer time. Once it is brown like tea you are done. Strain the seeds and add honey for taste and energy. Only drink the liquid part and drink it fresh. My dilation jumped from 5cm to 9cm in just an hour after drinking fenugreek tea. I also effaced pretty quickly.

[Anonymous]

The fenugreek juice has been used since ancient times by the Indian culture. It is a tradition past on to the next generation and that is how I learned about it. I research it many years ago...there were many articles on the internet but for some reason I do not see any articles about it anymore. It does not have any side effects until labor inducer pills.

[Anonymous]

PS: The last two posts that I posted previously about fenugreek juice refers to ONLY the natural fenugreek seeds sold from the Indian grocery store. I really do not know about the pills. Doctors sometimes do not encourage ladies using since they some may use it prior to labor. Use only during labor since it is a labor inducer...and I am serious ladies!

[Anonymous]

Y’all do too much she asked a simple question, whether you’ve tried it or not . If not move along . Don’t give your opinion on whether or not she should be seeking medical advice or not .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is completely irrational to fixate on "natural" methods of induction. There is no evidence that fenugreek or cohash or whatever are safer than medical induction, and you have no idea what is actually in the supplements you are buying because they are not subject to the same regulatory controls as pharmaceuticals. Not because they are inherently safer, but because the vitamin lobby convinced lawmakers to be soft on them.

Especially if you are high risk, you need to listen to what your doctor says, not take some untested and potentially dangerous herb.

+1. OP you are not being rational.

[Anonymous]

I'm being induced early for medical reasons and these are the things my OB and doula agree are safe and effective to try to get things started naturally beforehand:

Red raspberry leaf tea (you have to brew it extra strong, tea bags are not strong enough)
6 dates a day
Walking
Sex
Yoga ball
Nipple stimulation

And the doula is a proponent of induction acupuncture or massage. The OB thinks it couldn't hurt, but isn't convinced of its effectiveness.

Everything else either has not proven effective or comes with a risk that isn't worthwhile. I'd start with the list above before trying anything else.

[Anonymous]

Acupuncture worked for me, OP. They told me to do it 3 days in a row and if they baby was ready I would go into labor. They were right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is completely irrational to fixate on "natural" methods of induction. There is no evidence that fenugreek or cohash or whatever are safer than medical induction, and you have no idea what is actually in the supplements you are buying because they are not subject to the same regulatory controls as pharmaceuticals. Not because they are inherently safer, but because the vitamin lobby convinced lawmakers to be soft on them.

Especially if you are high risk, you need to listen to what your doctor says, not take some untested and potentially dangerous herb.

This. Hippie or no, I'd trust something regulated by the FDA and prescribed by my doctor over some pill that could be anything. And if your need to deliver soon is life-or-death, FFS, have a medically supervised induction, rather than dosing yourself with who knows what on your own.

That said, I've never known anyone to successfully use fengreek to induce labor. You could try acupuncture--dunno if it really works, but the risk of side effects is pretty low.

None of the labor induction drugs used in hospitals are FDA approved for inducing labor, either, yet they are considered safe. But they're not regulated - providers can dose however they want and often they don't tell you the risks of certain things like cytotec, which is associated with a higher rate of uterine rupture! And medically 'safe' inductions have a higher risk of severe tears and operative delivery (forceps/vacuum). OP is reasonable to consider that a last resort. It honestly baffles me when I hear about so many women blindly agreeing to a medical induction without knowing the facts.

OP, these 3 methods have some evidence of being effective, and all are generally safe if used appropriately:

nipple stimulation (important to do it properly!)
red raspberry leaf tea
membrane stripping/sweeping

[Anonymous]

My first and my third went all the way to 42 weeks. I was induced with strip and sweep the first time (and it SUCKED). I did castor oil with my third. Nasty, but it did the trick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-733-FENUGREEK.aspx?activeIngredientId=733&activeIngredientName=FENUGREEK

Fenugreek is LIKELY SAFE for people when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in amounts used for medicinal purposes (amounts larger than normally found in food). Side effects include diarrhea, stomach upset, bloating, gas, and a “maple syrup” odor in urine. Fenugreek can cause nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, facial swelling, and severe allergic reactions in hypersensitive people. Fenugreek might lower blood sugar.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Fenugreek is LIKELY UNSAFE in pregnancy when used in amounts greater than those in food. It might cause early contractions. Taking fenugreek just before delivery may cause the newborn to have an unusual body odor, which could be confused with “maple syrup disease.” It does not appear to cause long-term effects.

Although fenugreek is used to stimulate the production of breast milk, not enough is known about the safety of fenugreek during breast-feeding. It’s best not to use fenugreek is you are breast-feeding.

Children: Fenugreek might be UNSAFE for children. Some reports have linked fenugreek tea to loss of consciousness in children. An unusual body odor resembling maple syrup may occur in children drinking fenugreek tea.

Diabetes: Fenugreek can affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use fenugreek.

Most hospitals now run a panel of genetic diseases on newborns anyway so it is unlikely fenugreek will cause your baby to be misdiagnosed with maple syrup disease. My youngest cane just before many states made the panel law, but it runs in her dad’s family and she is a carrier so we know diagnosed newborns.

[Anonymous]

Wow these people are jerks on here. The poor lady just wanted friendly advise. Have some kindness.

[Anonymous]

Haven’t heard of it. But castor oil really was the only thing that gave me great contractions. Mine were 4 minutes apart and I was ready to head to the hospital but they stopped. But it was the only thing I tried of nearly a dozen things at 41+ weeks that gave contractions