Hospital induction can be daunting, so it is no surprise that many women try to bring on labor from home once their due date comes and goes. As you get anxious to finally be able to hold your sweet baby relaxing in your nursery glider, Midwives Brew is one popular method to get this labor started. We’ll go over how to make it, what you should know before taking it, and some alternative methods to induce labor at home below!
Being nine months pregnant is hard, but seeing your due date come and go is even harder. You’ve walked, did the deed that got you here in the first place, and even tried eating the spiciest Mexican food you could find… but nothing. You’re still pregnant. If you are looking for a way to induce labor from home, Midwives Brew might just be the thing for you.
Please note that you should always, always ask your provider before you do anything to induce labor, including this!
How to make Midwives Brew
First things first, here is how you make Midwives Brew. Luckily, it’s pretty simple!
You’ll need:
- 10 oz of Apricot Juice or Pineapple Juice
- 8 oz of Pure Lemon Verbena Tea
- 2 Tbsp of Castor Oil
- 2 Tbsp of Almond Butter
Directions:
1. Boil some water and brew the tea. Brew it strong (let tea bag sit for at least 10 minutes).
2. Mix all ingredients into a blender, and blend until the almond butter is smooth (no chunks).
3. Pour into a glass and drink the full concoction on an empty stomach.
You should only drink this if you are past your due date and you have talked to your provider. Drinking this can result in side effects including dehydration, diarrhea, cramping, and non-labor-related contractions of the uterus. If you’d had a cesarean delivery in the past, you should never use Castor Oil while pregnant because it can cause a uterine rupture.
What You Should Know About Midwives Brew
Now that you know how to make it, you might be wondering about the background of Midwives Brew and if it actually works. There are mixed reviews on whether Midwives Brew is successful. Several bloggers and influencers claim that is has an 85% success rate but I could not find any scientific studies backing up these claims. Here’s what I did find out.
1. People have used Castor Oil for centuries to induce labor.
That being said, it’s no surprise that Castor Oil is one of the main ingredients in Midwives Brew.
According to Medical News Today, the castor oil often causes uterine contractions and irritation. While these symptoms may mimic early labor, they are often times just digestive distress (Medical News Today, 2020). However, there was a study done in 2018 that came to a different conclusion. The study was done on women who used castor oil (while 40–41 weeks pregnant) under the care of their doctor. It showed that the use of castor oil leads to a higher probability of labor within 24 hours of use.
It is important to note that though study results are mixed in terms of Castor Oil’s labor-inducing abilities, none of these studies examined issues of safety for either the mother or the fetus.
2. Midwives Brew combines Castor Oil with ingredients that help reduce the less desirable side effects.
What really sets this concoction apart is that the popular labor-inducer Castor Oil is paired with sticky almond butter and calming lemon verbena tea. These ingredients help reduce the negative digestive symptoms that Castor Oil causes when used alone. As for the juice, it makes it taste better so that you can gulp it down!
Alternate Methods for Inducing Labor
There are no proven ways to induce labor at home (that’s why they are called old wives’ tales). Maybe you aren’t ready or sure about the Midwives Brew. Here is a list of other natural ways to induce labor:
- nipple stimulation (using a breast pump)
- sex
- eating spicy foods
- acupuncture
- walking and exercise
- eat dates
We have a whole article with more information about how to induce labor from home, check it out here!
Like most at-home induction methods, Midwives Brew doesn’t have a lot of science backing it up but many moms will tell you it worked wonders for them! And when you’re at the point of really wanting that baby out, it is well worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the midwives brew really work?
Many say that Midwives Brew has up to an 85% success rate and there are a lot of moms that will tell you it worked wonders for them! When you’re at the point of really wanting that baby out, it is well worth a try.
How fast do you have to drink midwives brew?
You should drink the whole serving of Midwives Brew within 30 minutes. Personally, I would say to gulp it down as quickly as possible.
Should I eat before midwives brew?
No, you should take Midwives Brew on an empty stomach.
Does the midwives brew make you poop?
Drinking Midwives Brew can result in side effects including dehydration, diarrhea, cramping, and non-labor-related contractions of the uterus.
Pin for Later- How to Make Midwives Brew!
You Might Also Like:
POSTPARTUM BELLY BINDING; THE PROS AND CONS
BEST POSTPARTUM UNDERWEAR – 10 GREAT OPTIONS + THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
HOW TO CREATE A PERFECT POSTPARTUM CARE KIT FOR MAMA
