Cramp bark, a popular medicinal
plant known for its bright, shiny berries and its ability to soothe menstrual
cramps, may be the key to preventing miscarriage or preterm labor in high-risk
pregnancies. Modern midwives widely recommend this miraculous herbal remedy for
expectant mothers who are experiencing warning signs of miscarriage or preterm
labor.
Many
modern midwives, including the renowned American nurse-midwife Ann Frye, author
of Holistic Midwifery, have used cramp bark with great success to prevent,
slow, or stop labor that begins too soon in a pregnancy. To date, there have
been no reports of negative effects on either a mother or a fetus when cramp
bark is used to prevent premature births. While no herb should be relied on
exclusively to protect a high-risk pregnancy, cramp bark can work as a
complement to the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor or midwife.
Cramp
bark gets its name from its well-documented ability to alleviate menstrual
cramps. Many women who suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, and
endometriosis have found that they can naturally control their severe cramps by
taking this helpful herb. However, cramp bark's much more critical, life-saving
role in preventing preterm labor remains little-known, except in a few
midwifery circles.
Cramp
bark works to slow labor because it contains two strong, natural antispasmodic
chemicals, called scopoletin and viopudial. These two non-toxic constituents
are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and act directly to ease contractions
in the uterus. This often causes the squeezing actions of the womb to either
slow or stop, preventing the dilation of the cervix.
Because
it acts so directly to ease all types of spasms in the uterus, cramp bark may
also alleviate the discomforts associated with harmless practice contractions,
also called Braxton-Hicks contractions. These practice contractions do not
indicate the beginnings of pre-term labor or miscarriage, but they may be
alarming to women who are at a high risk of these complications. For this
reason, some expectant mothers choose to take cramp bark throughout pregnancy,
to keep their uteruses calm.
Women who
are at high risk of miscarriage or pre-term labor may find that, in addition to
other treatments prescribed by their doctor or midwife, cramp bark may help to
prevent or treat these complications. Although cramp bark is generally
considered safe, do not take any herb without first discussing it with your
health care provider.
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