Sharing from Aviva Romm, April 26, 2016
“So eight days late, huh,? You must be getting a little uncomfortable? . . . If you’re anxious there are a few ways to help things along . . . actually there are things you can do…just some home remedies . . . .I’ve found that some of them are very effective . . . .there’s an herbal tea you can drink . . . .”
– Obstetrician in Friends, “The One Where Rachel is Late”
The past century has vastly improved many outcomes in high-risk pregnancies and births, yet with these improvements has come the omnipresence of technology in nearly all aspects of normal pregnancy and birth. Since at least 2000, Cesarean section has been the most common hospital surgical procedure performed in the US, accounting for more than 34% of all US births. As a midwife and MD with a specialty in obstetrics, I’m grateful for the technology when it’s needed.
Unfortunately, technology is far too overused in pregnancy and birth in the US. In spite of spending more money and using more technologies on obstetric care than any other country in the world, the United States consistently ranks poorly in birth outcome and infant mortality world-wide, often below many less modernized countries.
Additionally, the use of pharmaceuticals in pregnancy is excessive, and not without risks. While the horrors of thalidomide are behind us, women in their 40s, and men too, whose mothers took DES during pregnancy in the 1960s and 1970s are still dealing with the repercussions in the forms of increased reproductive cancers (and genital deformities), and new studies continue to reveal hidden harms, though perhaps less extreme, of pharmaceuticals currently in use, including what we’ve all been told is safe until recently – Tylenol. And yet another recently study has demonstrated that the most common medication given in pregnancy for yeast infections increases miscarriage.
Shocking statistics have been coming out about the dispensing of prescription drugs, including narcotics, to pregnant women in the U.S. One recent study looked at the pattern of prescription drugs (other than vitamins) dispensed to over one million women enrolled in Medicaid for at least 3 months before and then throughout pregnancy from 2002 to 2007. Almost 83% of these women were dispensed at least one medication; half of these were antibiotics.
Another study found that the rate of narcotics dispensed to pregnant women who were enrolled in Medicaid in these same years increased from 18.5% to 22.8% with rates exceeding 30% in five states. Among women of reproductive age generally in the United States from 2008 to 2012, almost 40% of Medicaid-enrolled women and 28% of commercially insured women filed claims for narcotics.
Against this backdrop, the use of herbs in pregnancy seems rather benign. Yet it’s important to be aware of the safety issues when using herbs in pregnancy, because not everything that’s natural is safe for pregnant moms.
The desire to avoid unnecessary – and potentially unsafe – medical interventions, and an inclination toward natural approaches has led many pregnant women to seek alternatives. It’s why I began studying them over 30 years ago, and why I continue to incorporate them as my first “go-to” in my medical practice whenever possible.
The use of herbs for the treatment of common pregnancy symptoms is very common. Studies and surveys estimate that up to 45% of women use an herbal therapy at some point during pregnancy. For better or worse, there are a lot of “experts” on the internet “wild-west” giving advice that may not always be accurate, so it’s important to get your information from reliable sources that you can trust.
Herbs have been used for the treatment of discomforts and common problems arising during pregnancy and childbirth dating at least back to ancient Egypt.
Little is known scientifically about the safety of most herbs during pregnancy, as most have not been formally evaluated and ethical considerations limit human clinical investigation during pregnancy. However, much the same can be said for the use of many pharmaceuticals during pregnancy, most of which have not been tested or proven safe in pregnancy. Even medications previously thought to be safe in pregnancy, including Tylenol, have now been found to cause potential problems for baby. And as many as 90% of all pregnant women will be prescribed some medication during pregnancy!
Most of what is currently known about botanical use during pregnancy is based on a significant body of historical, empirical, and observational evidence, with some pharmacologic and animal studies. Overall, most herbs have a high safety profile with little evidence of harm. Pregnant mommas commonly experience minor symptoms and discomforts for which the use of natural remedies may be gentler and safer than over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceuticals.
Few reported adverse events have occurred, and those that have typically involved the consumption of known toxic herbs, adulterations, or inappropriate use or dosage of botanical therapies. However, lack of proof of harm is not synonymous with proof of safety. Some of the harmful effects of herbs may not be readily apparent until after use has been discontinued, or may only occur with cumulative use, so it’s important to be smart and safe and use only those herbs in pregnancy with a proven track record and a good safety profile.
Schools of thought differ on whether herbs should be used during pregnancy. Some believe that since most herbs are not proven safe during pregnancy, they should be entirely avoided, while others see certain herbs more as foods that can provide an additional source of nutrition during pregnancy, or as tonics which can encourage and support optimal pregnancy health and uterine function.
Perhaps the most reasonable approach to herb safety is a “risk: benefit” one that takes into consideration the safety of the individual herb, the severity of the symptom or condition and comparing this to the safety of the corresponding conventional medical approach.
Certain signs and symptoms arising during pregnancy always warrant medical attention, and should not be treated with herbs. These include:
Persistent vaginal bleeding
Initial outbreak of herpes blisters during the first trimester
Severe pelvic or abdominal pain
Persistent, severe mid-back pain
Edema of the hands and face
Severe headaches, blurry vision, or epigastric pain
Rupture of membranes prior to 37 weeks pregnancy
Regular uterine contractions prior to 37 weeks pregnancy
Cessation of fetal movement
Using Herbs During Pregnancy
The safest approach to the use of herbs during pregnancy is to avoid herbs during the first trimester unless medically indicated when there is not a more effective or safer medical option (i.e., nausea and vomiting of pregnancy-NVP, threatened miscarriage) and after this to use herbs that are known either scientifically or historically to be safe during pregnancy.
Beverage and nutritive teas that are known to be safe in moderate amounts (i.e., red raspberry, spearmint, chamomile, lemon balm, nettles, rose hips) can be considered reasonable for regular use in pregnancy. Using normal amounts of cooking spices is considered safe as well.
There are a number of herbs whose constituents (chemical composition) are mostly gentle, nutritious substances such as carbohydrates vitamins, and minerals and which can be used safely in pregnancy as basic daily tonics, for example, nettles (Urtica dioica), milky oats (Avena sativa), and red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus). Several herbs have also been scientifically proven to be safe during pregnancy. These are presented in the first chart, below.
An herbalist, midwife, or naturopathic or integrative physician trained in the use of botanicals during pregnancy should be consulted when using herbs medically – that is, to treat a specific symptom or medical condition beyond those described in this article.
In addition to common pregnancy symptoms, when we’re pregnant and nursing we also get the same run of the mill mild illnesses everyone else gets – colds, indigestion, headache, etc., for which herbs can be helpful and even safer than OTC meds. Many of these problems can be addressed safely and gently with mild herbs such as echinacea, ginger, or chamomile respectively.
The following chart provides an overview of a number of herbs that have been demonstrated to be safe for use during pregnancy through clinical trials or scientific evaluation of safety.
Herbs to Definitely Avoid
While a number of herbs are known to be safe in pregnancy, there are numerous herbs that should be avoided. Somewhere between these categories are herbs whose use is not appropriate for daily, routine intake, but which can be used if necessary for brief or more extended periods of time for specific conditions.
Licorice is an example of such an herb. Used short term for a sore throat, for example, for no greater than one week, it may be entirely safe and appropriate, however, it is contraindicated in patients with hypertension, and long-term use of even licorice candy containing actual licorice extract has been associated with preterm birth.
*The herbs listed under each category are representative examples and are not exhaustive, but should definitely be avoided in pregnancy. Additional herbs may fall into any of these categories.
*Topical applications, including vaginal use (i.e., for the treatment of vaginal infections), of most herbs is considered safe, however, some herbs, for example, poke root, pennyroyal oil, and thuja, which are known to be toxic, should be avoided internally and topically.
*Note that when you see sorghum on the list of herbs to avoid – don’t freak out if you’re eating it – that’s fine – it’s concentrated use of certain species in huge amounts that’s the problem!
*Avoid internal use; external use may be acceptable under the guidance of an experienced botanical medicine practitioner. Note that sorghum in normal food use is considered safe.
Common Conditions During Pregnancy and Herbs for Treatment: An Overview
The herbs cited in the medical literature as most frequently used for pregnancy concerns varies slightly among studies, but includes: echinacea, St John’s wort, ephedra; peppermint, spearmint, ginger root, raspberry leaf, fennel, wild yam, meadowsweet; blue cohosh, black cohosh, red raspberry leaf, castor oil, evening primrose, garlic, aloe, chamomile, peppermint, ginger, echinacea, pumpkin seeds, and ginseng.
In one study, women reported lower GI problems, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, and urinary tract problems as the most common reasons for using complementary therapies in pregnancy. Midwives most frequently recommend herbs for nausea and vomiting, labor stimulation, perineal discomfort, lactation disorders, postpartum depression, preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage, labor analgesia, and malpresentation.
The Chart below, Herbal Treatment of Common Pregnancy Concerns, provides guidelines for commonly used botanical treatments for several pregnancy problems, and provides a brief discussion of the safety of the herbs presented.
Herbal Treatment of Common Pregnancy Concerns
Getting Ready for Birth: A Word about “Partus Preparators”
Partus preparators are herbs sometimes used during the last weeks of pregnancy to tone and prepare the uterus for labor. They have historically been used to facilitate a rapid and easy delivery. Herbs commonly used as partus preparators include blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides),black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), partridge berry (Mitchella repens), and spikenard (Aralia racemosa), among others.
The use of such herbs to prepare women for labor begs the question of why one would use an herbal preparation to prepare the body for something it naturally knows how to do. Furthermore, the safety of these herbs prior to the onset of labor is questionable. Case reports have appeared in the literature suggesting an association between blue cohosh and profound ischemic episodes or myocardial infarction in the neonate.
Blue cohosh contains a number of potent alkaloids including methylcystine and anagyrine, the latter, which is known to have an effect on cardiac muscle activity. Other side effects of blue cohosh include maternal headache and nausea. Yet the use blue cohosh represents one of the one widely applied botanical medicines by midwives, including CNMs, and one of those most commonly included in late pregnancy formulas self-prescribed by pregnant mothers. Much of this is due to medical pressure for induction of labor by 40 weeks of pregnancy.
The risks associated with extended third trimester ingestion of blue cohosh specifically suggest that it should be avoided as a partus preparator.
Red raspberry leaf tea, 2 cups daily, on the other hand, is know to be safe in pregnancy, and several studies have now shown that taking it regularly in the last trimester can make labor easier, reduces the need for medical interventions in labor, and makes baby less likely to need any resuscitation. I’d say that this makes it a great herb to use for getting ready for birth!
Summary
Herbs can provide substantial relief for common symptoms and concerns that arise during pregnancy and childbirth. The power of herbs should be respected during pregnancy, and therefore, they should be used with caution. However, many herbs may be contraindicated on the basis of very limited findings, erroneous reports, or by association with a problem rather than a proven causal effect.
Many herbs that have not been evaluated may, nonetheless, offer simple, safe, gentle, and effective solutions for many common pregnancy problems ranging from anemia to vaginitis.
Good diet and nutrition, exercise, and healthful lifestyle including a positive outlook and strong social support are the cornerstones of an optimal childbearing experience.
Comments