Question on herbal delivery and recovery

What a great topic! Close to my heart. I've had four of my five births with herbal and oil supports.

My question is:
What are your top 3-5 herbs to have on hand for labor and recovery?

There is just so little information out there, especially from personal experience!

Instead what I find is mostly - Don't do anything! It'll probably be harmful in some way!!

I've had one medically 'helpful' birth and have a disabled child likely from it.

Thanks! I am looking forward to meeting my newest child in 5.5 months.

Hmm... good question!
I had both of children at home and I created my own birth kit in preparation. I had raspberry leaf ice chips to suck on during labor- this, along with using the herb throughout pregnancy can ensure the delivery of a complete placenta. I had a witch hazel and shepherd's purse tincture nearby in the event of hemorrhaging. Skullcap tincture was there for pain relief. I used nettles and chlorophyll as a cocktail to recover after blood loss. Comfrey and calendula were invaluable for topical application with a peri bottle to soothe and heal the perineum... or to use in site baths.

I think that's probably the short list so to speak! How exciting for you- congrats on the upcoming addition to your family!

So timely! My daughter just went into labor! So exciting!!

Wow! Best wishes on a safe and beautiful birth!

I sure appreciate your answer, Dawn!

I tend to go overdue and Medical folks get real ansy after 14 days. Do you have any help for helping things along?

There are a couple herbs that can be used but only by an experienced herbalist (black cohosh and blue cohosh) to prepare the uterus for birth. It was traditionally only used in the last week of pregnancy. In your case I would bet that you ovulate later than the charts expect so you are actually giving birth at precisely the right time. I would take that into account with anything you might do to encourage labor. If I were you, I would wait until I was one week past the date the medical professionals assess. If you aren't an herbal professional, I wouldn't recommend trying to do anything beyond taking your typical raspberry leaf and nettle nutritives. Of course, if you are facing a forced c-section.... I might try a safe herb that can tend to bring on uterine contractions such as pennyroyal in a tea three times a day. I wouldn't recommend ginger for this as it can thin the blood and wouldn't be a good idea just before birth.