Annotated Bibliography-
1. Kelly AJ, Kavanagh J, Thomas J. Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003099. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003099
This is an investigation of the effectiveness of Castor oil for inducing labor and/or ripening the cervix during labor. Castor oil is a natural labor catalyst that has been used for many years and is considered "traditional". It is commonly used by practicing midwives although there has never been a clear grasp on its effectiveness. This study compares this method of induction to other commonly used practices. The group of women included in this study was too small to have a determinable outcome but based on the results, Castor oil had very little effect.
2. McFarlin BL, Gibson MH, O'Rear J, Harman P. A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation. J Nurse Midwifery 1999;44:205-16.
This study was conducted to show the effectiveness of herbal preparations for cervical ripening, induction, and augmentation of labor. Also, this study investigates whether or not midwives are teaching these practices with accurate information of the effectiveness of herbal methods. Herbal methods for labor induction are somewhat popular in the midwifery field and those who use them do because they are "natural", while those who do not claim they don't have enough information about them to practice them on woman. Based on this study, majority (92%) of the midwives who use or teach these practices are using and teaching them informally.
3. TENORE, JOSIE L. "Methods for Cervical Ripening and Induction." Precious Passage Birth Services- Homebirth Midwifery Akron Ohio. American Academy of Family Physicians, 15 May 2003. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. <http://www.preciouspassage.com/Methods for Cervical Ripening and induction.htm>.
This article provides information about the most commonly used alternatives for labor induction.
The most prescribed agents are evening primrose oil, black haw, black and blue cohosh, and red raspberry leaves. Evening primrose oil is the most used out of all listed above but they have not been proven to have any effect on the softness of the cervix or the speed of the labor. This article states that the risks and benefits of these listed herbal alternatives are still indeterminable. Also, sexual intercourse and stimulation has been suggested in this paper as an alternative for induction. Although there are many logical reasons why it makes sense for sexual intercourse to speed up the laboring process, its effectiveness is still indeterminable.
4. Smith CA, Collins CT, Cyna AM, Crowther CA. Complementary and alternative therapies for pain management in labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003521. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003521.pub2.
It is important to be relaxed during labor for it to proceed quicker and less painfully. Tension and anxiety make labor pains worse and stress can also slow down labor. There is some evidence that acupuncture may be a good alternative for relaxation methods but more research needs to be done for it to be proven. Some other alternative methods for relieving labor pain are massage, reflexology, herbal medicines or homoeopathy, hypnosis and music.
5. "Foods That Induce Labor?" Empowering Each Woman Giving Birth Naturally. GivingBirthNaturally.com, 2007. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. <http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/foods-that-induce-labor.html>.
Many women believe in and turn to food for inducing labor. Based on gathered information, the most beneficial and effective foods for the labor process are Pineapple, spicy foods, Chinese food, eggplant Parmesan, and licorice. There is only anecdotal evidence proving that these foods work for inducing labor but more evidence needs to be gathered to solidify this claim.
Based on the information gathered, I see there is a common theme that a lot of natural alternatives to labor induction and cervix ripening have not been fully explored. I believe that this is a real problem because there is plenty of information about the benefits and pitfalls or medical a mechanical interventions. I think that it is important to turn to nature for the answers before artificial chemicals, and where nature doesn't prevail, medicine should then be used. Maybe I could take this information (or lack there of) to create a campaign for doctors to do more research on natural alternatives because if they are effective enough, they could become common practices replacing the drugs Cytotec or Pitocin (which have their own cons).
4. Smith CA, Collins CT, Cyna AM, Crowther CA. Complementary and alternative therapies for pain management in labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003521. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003521.pub2.
It is important to be relaxed during labor for it to proceed quicker and less painfully. Tension and anxiety make labor pains worse and stress can also slow down labor. There is some evidence that acupuncture may be a good alternative for relaxation methods but more research needs to be done for it to be proven. Some other alternative methods for relieving labor pain are massage, reflexology, herbal medicines or homoeopathy, hypnosis and music.
5. "Foods That Induce Labor?" Empowering Each Woman Giving Birth Naturally. GivingBirthNaturally.com, 2007. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. <http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/foods-that-induce-labor.html>.
Many women believe in and turn to food for inducing labor. Based on gathered information, the most beneficial and effective foods for the labor process are Pineapple, spicy foods, Chinese food, eggplant Parmesan, and licorice. There is only anecdotal evidence proving that these foods work for inducing labor but more evidence needs to be gathered to solidify this claim.
Based on the information gathered, I see there is a common theme that a lot of natural alternatives to labor induction and cervix ripening have not been fully explored. I believe that this is a real problem because there is plenty of information about the benefits and pitfalls or medical a mechanical interventions. I think that it is important to turn to nature for the answers before artificial chemicals, and where nature doesn't prevail, medicine should then be used. Maybe I could take this information (or lack there of) to create a campaign for doctors to do more research on natural alternatives because if they are effective enough, they could become common practices replacing the drugs Cytotec or Pitocin (which have their own cons).
Amhara,
ReplyDeleteInteresting project idea and research.
Several questions meant to help you direct your project in fruitful ways;
1. To what extent do midwives using herbal interventions mimic doctors & medicines (and vice-versa, historically)?
2. To what extent does this herbalism perpetuate the notion that a woman giving labor needs outside intervention by an expert?
3. To what extent does the herbalism benefit through placebo effect (as in some studies of acupuncture)?
Good luck!