Looking for natural ways to induce labor…that doesn’t involve a hospital induction? Look no further!! The Midwives Brew is for you!
Are you a few days past your due date? Maybe you’ve read my entire post on home labor induction methods…tried everything and no luck??
Guys, I found this crazy method to induce labor this week…Yes it IS a little crazy!
Which is why I’m about to give you a big ol’ disclaimer before I tell you about this method….
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU….
- DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU ARE PAST YOUR DUE DATE!
- TALK TO YOUR PROVIDER BEFORE YOU DO THIS!
Okay, glad we got that cleared up! 🙂 Now on to this crazy induction method!
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The Midwives Brew
I’m currently in a group on Facebook that’s full of thousands of labor and delivery nurses around the world. (It’s a pretty cool group!) A fellow L&D nurse posted this for discussion, and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the whole thing!
Apparently, it’s also known as the “German Labor Cocktail” because it’s very popular with midwives in Europe!
As you might know, I had my son 4 days past my due date…
But not after I tried every induction method in the book! (You can see that post on what I did, here!)
I was DESPERATE (as many of you probably are who’ve stumbled across this article!)
Being overdue freaking SUCKS! You’ve got a 6-10 pound human just chillin’ inside of you…not letting you know when he/she is going to make an appearance.
YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND WONDER!
It stinks…Well, what if I was about to tell you I’ve found a natural method of induction that has a…Wait for it…
85% SUCCESS RATE!
Okay, so I’m not a statistics major, nor do I have an evidenced-based article to back up that percentage.
BUT…. I did research the heck out of this method after I heard about it.
I read a lot of birth stories, and it looked like about 8-9 out of 10 women who tried this method (correctly) were successful in going into labor within 24 hours. (For many it happened much sooner than that)
It’s freakin’ NUTS!
I’d LOVE to know I could go into labor within 24 hours!!
But fair warning, while this method is VERY effective, it’s also VERY…
GROSS.
In my research, I also found that many women VOMITED shortly after consuming this concoction…(or weren’t able to finish it, altogether)
So, that’s your fair warning, let’s get to the recipe!!
***Once again, make sure you do not attempt this until AFTER your due date…and discuss with your provider before attempting***
The Midwives Brew recipe
Ingredients:
✴️ 10 oz of Apricot Juice
✴️ 8 oz of Pure Lemon Verbena Tea
✴️ 2 Tbsp of Castor Oil
✴️ 2 Tbsp of Almond Butter
Directions:
- Boil some water and brew the tea. Make sure you brew it pretty strong (let tea bag sit for at least 10 minutes).
- Mix all ingredients into a blender, and blend until the almond butter is smooth (no chunks)
- Pour into a glass and drink the full concoction on AN EMPTY STOMACH!
*It’s more effective at room temperature/slightly warm…but it’s totally fine to drink it over ice if you can’t stomach it warm!”
Bottoms up!
Is The Midwives Brew safe?
Maybe…but probably yes.
Unfortunately, castor oil sometimes gets a bad rap as a natural labor induction method.
Castor oil can cause you to have some EXTREME nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea so much to the point that you might get dehydrated.
Oh, and by the way, guess what happens when pregnant women become dehydrated…they CONTRACT!
In fact, dehydration is the NUMBER ONE cause of painful, irritable contractions…(the contractions that aren’t real LABOR contractions).
So, the thought behind castor oil is…
It works because it causes GI distress (it rumbles up your tummy which is located right next to your uterus) and, it might make you a bit dehydrated, which causes your uterus to contract.
Generally, I don’t personally recommend castor oil as a labor induction technique. Many times it just leaves women miserable, vomiting like crazy, and poopin’ for days…
Related: How to Induce Labor Naturally
Here’s the reason why I recommend The Midwives Brew
The almond butter!
Almond butter is really sticky! So sticky that it helps castor oil STICK more to your intestines…instead of just running right through you like it usually does alone.
Almond butter is thought to decrease the diarrhea-effects that castor oil gets a bad rap for, because of it’s ability to STICK the castor oil to your insides.
Pretty cool!
And while we’re on the topic of labor…
Whether you decide to go for it or not, I’m willing to bet you’re at the VERY end of your pregnancy.
Have you prepared with a birth course yet?
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! My online birth course can be completed in just a few hours and has helped THOUSANDS of mamas like you.
And here are a few more resources and reading that may interest you and help you pass the time while you wait for baby to make their debut:
Happy Inducing!!
Can you replace the almond butter? Anaphylactic…to almonds
I bet you could sub in Peanut butter, really any thick butter should do!
If you can’t get the lemon verbena what else can be used
I’m not sure you can substitute that, the lemon verbena is an important part of it. You should be able to get it on amazon, or at a grocery store (maybe a health food store?).
I used Tazo Green Tea – Zen it has the Lemon Verbena Tea as an ingredient. I got all the ingredients at Walmart.
Did it work Megan ?
I subbed with just regular lemon herbal tea and it worked for me. Labor in an hour.
Just drank my big ole glass of this stuff 3 hours ago per my midwife’s instruction. So far, I’m just starting to feel a bit nauseous. We shall see how it works!
I got all the ingredients but could find the lemon verbena tea can sub it with pregnancy tea since it has the herb ingredients In it?
It’s probably not at the same concentration and the lemon verbena is pretty important..I recommend trying to find it, but work with what you got!
Can I eat something & 3 hours after drink it ?
Yes that should be fine. 🙂
Can I do this at 37 weeks? Baby is very healthy. I’m just in so much pain and can’t sleep anymore.
I have a question I did this without the castor oil bc ppl say it’s dangerous how long after may I eat?
Hi Alexandra! Keep in mind that castor oil (usually) is only dangerous if consumed in large enough amounts. You can eat around two hours after (although I KNOW for some of us this needs to happen sooner!), as this is the typical timeframe typically recommended for medications you take on an empty stomach.
Hi I have a question so I am Not dilated but cervix is soft and low would drinking this help me dilate. I’m going for a vbac and they will not let me go over 40 weeks. I’m almost at that mark and super stressed.
Oh Tiffany I am SO sorry!! It is definitely possible that it MAY help – it certainly can’t hurt to try. I really hope you were able to get your VBAC, but having a healthy baby is all any of us want in the end. Good luck. <3
Can you make the drink without castor oil and it work?
I’m 3cm and 50 % would this work in inducing my labor? They want to strip my membrane if baby doesn’t come in a week. This is my 3 rd pregnancy, and my other two was induced medically. Was hoping for a natural way. Been bouncing on a birthing ball and walking so much last 3 Days.
Hi Melli – honestly there’s just no way to know. As long as your dr okay’s it though, it’s definitely worth a try! I wish you the best of luck!!
Found this a day before my due date. My ob had stripped my membranes the day before trying this (was 2cm and 50% effaced.) I decided to try only drinking half. Not sure if I was already going into labor, or if it was this drink, but my contractions started a couple hours later (around 3pm) Finally went to L&D at 6:45pm, baby girl was born at 8pm! 2-3 pushes and she was out. Not sure if it was a combo of everything, but I am happy I tried this! Also, fluids were clear when they broke!
congratulations!
I couldn’t find apricot juice anywhere…could I substitute for mango?
You could try it! Or pineapple or grape..good luck!!
Drunk all mine but threw up after should it still work
Sorry CC – that’s not fun. It’s possible, but it really depends on how quickly after you threw up. If it was within twenty minutes or so, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t have absorbed enough. :/
The substitute for apricot juice is getting dried apricots and soaking them in water until they plump up then blend up with the water. add more water if needed.
3cm & 80% effaced. Dr said do whatever you can because he’s big and induction and prolly c section in few days. Well in those 2 weeks I did everything I read or saw a video to induce labor or progress it and there was 0 changed each week she checled me. Did Brew to the T yesterday and despite the nastiness, nothing happened again.
There was no effect.
Any other suggsstions? I don’t want a c section. 🙁
I’m so sorry Michelle – it’s hard but sometimes all we can do is try, and then wait. Hang in there.
I took this about two hours ago and started to have contractions about 40 mins after taking it. I felt like throwing up. Had diarrhea too. Ate some feed as I was running on empty and felt much better. Contracts two hours later are less than four mins apart. I’m unsure if this is going to be the really thing. Seems too good to be true after more then a week of Braxton Hicks. 40w6d
Good luck!!!
How many tea bags do i boil?
Just one, but let it boil for ten minutes.
Will midwives brew still work if you threw up after drinking it
Hi Majorie – possibly. It depends how soon after taking it you threw up. If you immediately threw up, probably not. It would need time to absorb in your system.
So I made this today and I sat down an drunk the entire thing and stood up and all came out so I made another one and except this time I used a different juice and regular peanut butter. I ate the peanut butter i just couldn’t take the taste with the juice i had mixed the tea ,oil,juice together do you think it will still work the same I’m feeling some cramping and pressure so idk if it’s from the midwives brew or just happened because of the bouncing on the medical ball..
I am currently 40w+1 and I’m doing anything i can to avoid having this scheduled c-section on Wednesday. I have expressed my feelings to my doctor about doing a vbac throughout this pregnancy and we we have discusssed the risk factors. However, I judt turned 40 weeks I feel like I should be given at least until the end of the week. I never had any issues going into labor with my other 2 but this child here is just being lazy. I feel like I’m being forced into something that I dont want to do until I have at least attempted to labor on my own. This midwives brew maybe my last resort to help me jump start the procees. I’m online now checking to see which store have all the ingredients in stock. I have been researching this recipe for the last two weeks and so far I see that it works so I’m praying it does the same for me as its done for everybody else.
Good luck!!! That really stinks that your doc gave you an ultimatum. I really hope it works for you girl!!
Thank you so much. I’m not sure why so very soon either but she said that she didn’t want me to go pass 41 weeks which I understand and the other thing is they won’t induce me because of previous c-sections and I guess the fact that I want a vbac that would put me at risk of uterine rupture. I just feel that we should wait at least until Friday to see if I have any labor. I never had any issues laboring with my other two so I know I can labor on my own. I just need them to be patient with me and give me the chance that I deserve. I’m sorry for the long drawn out response. Thank you for listening.
You’re fine! Yes, unfortunately many hospitals still have strict, outdated vbac regulations. This is not my advice as a nurse but….you could always “miss” your c-section appointment…as long as it doesn’t mess with your insurance or something. I’ve heard of women doing that…and go into labor on their own a few days after. Again…not saying that as a nurse….do what you feel is best for you and baby! Best of luck to you!!
Thank you 🙂
I wonder if this worked for Santana, I am currently in the same situation.
So people say that castor oilis realy bad And could hurt baby is that the same being mixed into this brew ? Can it hurt my baby ?
Hi Daishaney – it will not hurt your baby (in the majority of cases) with this amount and specific mixture. It can be harmful if you aren’t careful with it though. You can always check in with your doctor first!
How much do you have to drink though?
You’re supposed to drink all of it! 🙈🙈🙈
Hi lossless is it okay to drink another of the mixture ? I drank one at 847 yesterday I’ve been having contractions and went to l&d and was officially at 2 cin and 80% effaced prior to drinking It I was at 0 percent I also have had a large bloody show which seems to be over now l&d sent me home saying if more than likely be back later tonight but my contractions are becoming further apart . So I’m thinking about making another drink just not sure if it’s safe or recommend
I wouldn’t drink more than one in 24 hours, if it’s ok if you do it again the next day 🤗
Did you go back into labor? I had contractions for 4 hours after drinking it yesterday. They stopped and I was looking to see if people had success drinking it again the next day.
Its really really nasty
Whats a good amount if you cant drink it all?
As much as you can!!
i am 37 +5 & my baby is already 8 pounds, i have been walking laps and stairs, i went to the dr yesterday and was 1 cm dialated and he also stripped my membranes. before i even said anything about trying the castor oil he had already told me that it could be dangerous and not to try it but i am really anxious to get her out considering she’s already 8 pounds. any opinions??
Hey Kelly! Yes, so castor oil is unfortunately just one of those controversial topics…there is actually only ONE study I found out there that concluded it was unsafe to induce labor and MAY result in your baby passing Meconium before birth. This was a study that only composed of 100 women however. It’s really up to you whether you feel it’s safe for you and baby. Many doctors/midwifes do recommend it, and have done all the research, and others say no go. I firmly stand behind this mixture, just because it’s mixed with a thick butter, and the castor oil doesn’t go straight through you, which is what causes the diarrhea (all the studies only refer to straight castor oil). With that said….since you are only 37-5, I would hold off on doing this for a bit, because your body may not be ready to go into labor yet. It’s most effective when it’s done after you are due (even though there have been success stories before as well). And also, your baby may very well not be 8lbs yet! Ultrasounds/guestimations by touching your belly can be off by FOUR pounds…and it’s not a great indicator of birth weight. I would hold steady for a little while longer, but again it’s totally up to you!!! Good luck!!!
Hey did you end up drinking the cocktail? If so, Did it work for you?
I live in Switzerland and the midwife in my birth centre recommended this cocktail to induce my birth naturally after trying everything else. I was 12 days overdue and the doctors in the hospital wanted me to come and induce birth. I really wanted to give birth in the birth centre naturally so I tried the cocktail. I drank it around 9.30 PM then went to bed at the birth centre. They made the cocktail with apricot juice, almond butter, cinnamon, castor oil and prosecco and served it cold … They told me to drink it slowly over the next thirty minutes. It didn’t taste half as bad as I expected, even my husband tried a sip. I then tried to sleep. They told me it would be three to six hours until we’d see if it worked. But I went into labor at around 11 PM. My son was born three hours later in the tub of the birth centre. I did not have nausea or diarrhoea or stomach ache, just went to the bathroom twice but I guess that’s normal during birth. I guess you really need the right recipe. The midwives told me they hardly ever had anyone react badly. Still I strongly recommend to not try this without a midwife seeing as I went into labour so quickly. I hope this comment helps other women in search of a natural method to induce birth. I know how it is to be overdue and in fear of a hospital birth.
This is wonderful!!! Yes I have heard of the Prosecco adding to it too, but you gotta be reeeeeal careful about recommending anything with alcohol to women here in America…..I’m so glad it worked for you!!! Thank you for sharing!
I’m a labor and delivery nurse of 15 years and tried this very concoction minus the cinnamon at 39+1 with my third baby! Drank at 6:30pm, diarrhea x2, regular ctx’s at 12am, SROM CLEAR fluid at 2am (3cm) delivered at 4:21am (pushed twice!) I will stand by this method firmly! Couldn’t have asked for a better birth! Oh yeah, delivered at a birth center, unmedicated water birth with zero complications!
Amazing!!!!!!! So happy it worked!!!
Also thank you for saying clear fluid ha!!!!
Did you use the Prosecco ?
Will it still work if you throw up a little bit of the midwife brew after or while drinking it
Do you know the exact recipe??
What about 39 weeks?
It’s just supposed to be more effective if you wait until after your due date, because your body may not be ready to go into labor at 39 weeks! With that said, if you have a medical induction at 39 weeks, it may be worth trying to avoid that! Otherwise, I would continue to wait until after 40! 🙂
It really works! Tired of waiting for my first granddaughter, my son and his girlfriend decided that it was time to serve baby Kenzlie her eviction notice. They went out and purchased all the ingredients and around 9:45p.m. the frustrated mother to be was downing the mystery brew as this was unknown to me. About 1:30 a.m she woke me up as she was contracting every 3-5 minutes. Needless to say we are here at the hospital all checked in awaiting baby Kenzlie’s arrival!
Amazing!! Thanks for sharing! Yay baby Kenzlie! 🙂
A good friend of mine at work did this at 8:30 pm and went into labor at 3:00 am. She told me all about it and so this evening I will be going and getting all the goods to try it myself! Lil Miss Emersyn is squatting at this point and needs evicted! I hope it works!!!
Good luck!!
Is it okay to eat a little something before doing it ? Or eat something after ?
I think that’s totally fine! Maybe some crackers or something! I Wouldn’t eat anything too heavy though!
I am planning on taking this tomorrow morning my question is has anyone had success with peanut butter instead of Almond butter?
Also, does it have to be on an empty stomach?
I am trying to do a VBAC and my doctor gave me the go ahead to start inducing almost 2 weeks ago & now I’m 37 weeks and 4 days. Already dilated and have been since 32 weeks.
Really nervous about the taste and diahrea 😬
I think it would work just fine with peanut butter! It just has to be a sticky-butter consistency to do the job! It is recommended on an empty stomach, but if you are nervous about that I think it’s totally fine to have s few crackers in your stomach beforehand. I’m a little concerned that you are only 37 weeks, just because it’s most effective the closest you are to your due date. I would run it by your doc, but if he says it’s okay and you both agree, than it’s worth a shot! It may just not work because you are still only 37 weeks. And the taste is not great, but from what I’ve heard it’s not THAT bad ha! This mixture is blended with the butter so you shouldn’t get the crazy diarrhea that you would just taking straight castor oil! Good luck!!!!
Yeah my I see my doctor on Tuesday. She said it was fine to start trying because my body and baby are ready since I was on bed rest due to preterm labor. Baby has had the steroid shots and everything so she’s not worried.
Awesome!! Go for it, I hope it works!!
I just drank the brew at 10 am, ate some crackers before hand but also had to eat some after to keep from throwing up (feeling is still there kind of) hoping this works! Will keep you updated!
Fingers crossed!
I ate the almond butter first, then downed the drink. Did have a few bouts of diarrhea, but nothing horrific. No nausea or vomiting: took at 10:00 am and baby was born within 24 hours
Amazing! Congratulations!!!
I’m 40+ 4 days I took the brew on an empty stomach and was sick after it will it still be effective?
If you threw it all up, probably not I’m sorry. :/
Iam 39wks+2days , I’ve lost my mocus plug . And recently like tuesday 11/20 I was a fingertip dilated & 85% effaced would there be a chance that this would work or would you not recommend it to try at this many weeks ? I’ve had a rough , pregnancy with false labor pains “ Braxton Hicks “ but wanted an opinion on here before asking my parctionar about the brew .
I only recommend women do it past their due date because it’s more likely to be effective at that point (and some people are off on their due dates as well). If you’ve lost your mucous plug, you’re on the right track! I would just run it by your provider, and if he/she gives the green light, and you are itching to give it a go, go for it! You can always try it again if it fails, when it’s more effective at closer to 41 weeks! ♥️
What are the chances of this working if you do end up vomiting? Would you have to take it again?
I’d say, if you vomit it up RIGHT afterwards, you’d probably have to take it again. If it’s like an hour or two later, it’s probably fine. If you are worried about vomiting it up (like say, you know you have a really weak stomach), don’t do it on a completely empty stomach. Eat a few saltines beforehand, and that should keep it down!
Im 40 weeks my midwife told me to try it then lay in a warm bath and was wondering how long does it take I have a midwife appointment tomorrow and they asked me to do this yesterday but I did it today cause I had to wait to get paid it’s been a hour
Hey! I’m sorry I just saw this! I hope everything went smoothly, I’d say if it doesn’t work in 12-18 hrs, it’s probably not going to work. Good luck! ♥️
So I’m a day past my due date but haven’t lost mucus plug and last WK at my doctor’s appointment my doctor said my cervix was still closed. Do you think drinking the mid wife Brew will still work?
I would wait as long as you can, esp cause your cervix is still closed. Try some other things to get labor going (walking/sex/pineapple) to hopefully soften and open your cervix a little bit and then if you aren’t in labor by 41 weeks try the brew!
Can I substiyutr anything for the apricot juice
I drank this on 11/25 and gave birth to my little one about 4 and half hours after finishing it. Took me 30 minutes to drink it. I was 39 and 4 and was dilated to 5cm. Due to my SO work schedule we were kinda worried I’d go past my date and have to be induced. Which I was trying to avoid and have a home water birth. Needless to say I didnt not make it to the tub but I did birth at home. Midwife missed delivery but showed 15 minutes after baby was born. Mind you she was also born in her sac. First for me. Thank you.
Awesome!! Congratulations!!!
I am 38 weeks and 4 days and I am scheduled for an induction Tuesday AM because my OB says it is safer to deliver at 39 weeks at my age (42). I really wanted to avoid induction. As of my appointment this Tuesday there has been NOTHING going on with my cervix. No dilation and no effacement. In those that it has been effective for, was there already cervical changes? I think I may try this tomorrow. I really want him to come on his own!
You can still try it, but it may not work just cause your body might not be ready yet! Worth a shot though! 🙌🏻 it is usually more effective on women who have had cervical change, yes. Good luck!!
Any suggestions for a apricot substitute? I can’t seem to find it at any stores near me and would like to take it today. Thanks!
You can do papaya (that might be just as hard to find though haha), or some say to do champagne (mostly over seas in Europe)…but I can’t professionally recommend alcohol use in pregnancy 😂
I’m a debatable 39weeks…have had blood In my urine a while ago and been having strong contraction like pains. My baby’s head is already in place and my cervix is soft and might be dilated. I’m fed up with waiting because my lower back was cracked now with all the pressure I struggle to walk on my own and even to turn around at night…Can I substitute the juice with pineapple juice ? And won’t red raspberry leaf tea also work mixed with chamomile? …I’m in a lot of pain and I can’t take another moment of it.
Would pineapple juice work!?
It really do work!! I’m another witness!! I made my brew with pineapple juice, almond butter, castor oil and Tazo tea. I made my brew around 7:15 finish drinking it within 30 mins after making it. 12 am my water broke and I had my baby boy at 2:50 am, I almost had him natural cause labor went so quickly. When I arrived to the hospital I was 5cm 80% effaced. Within an hour and half later I was ready to push!! I was 40 weeks and 1 day when checked at my last visit I was already 3cm and effaced, so I do agree that your body and baby have to be ready for it to work!! Good Luck to all the new Mama’s
Amazing!!!! Congratulations!!!
I must just have the most stubborn body in the world. I tried this last night, hoping to avoid a medical induction next Monday, and it soothed my stomach instead of messing with it. I had a few BH during the 2 hours of walking my husband and I did, but still pregnant. I guess after the first 7 were all induced post term, I’m just gonna have to accept that I have no control.
Awww well I guess that’s why it’s only 8/10! Dangit!!! Good luck mama!!
Just tried the brew at 3pm, now we just wait! I’m 40weeks and 3 days. 🤞🏻
Does it matter what brand of tea and juice you use?
It shouldn’t matter at all!
Can I use red rasberry tea leaf ? I can’t find the lemon verbena
It probably won’t have the same effect – sorry!
Hi! I m 37weeks and 2 days.
May Docter wanna Indus my labour next week wen I will be 37weeks and 5 days, it’s because baby is hawy 3kg and 300 grams.
I m rely sceard, but I wanna do that naturly sou I wanna tray to drink this, but I m woried about dhiarea, I hawe dhiarea already 4 days , I m sceard get more🤔 i don’t know it’s posibel ore not.
Hey!! I would try and wait a little longer if ya can! I like to advise moms to do as close to due date as possible, if not over!
So I’ve been contracting regular for 8 days non stop. Visited the hospital last week and the contractions were 2 minutes apart every 5 minutes. They monitored for 2 hours and I was only dilated 1cm. My body even with all the contractions cant go past 1cm. I am 35 weeks and 6 days. My doctor spoke to me about induction because I lost my mucus plug at 32 weeks and have been having bad contractions since. I know you don’t recommend doing this until closer to my due date but this is really starting to aggravate me. Even with muscle relaxers I get an hour break and they start up again. Do you think the Brew would work if I try when I’m 36 weeks. My baby is head down already and a good birth weight I gain 8 pounds a week and barely eat. Doctor says she’s perfectly healthy he just wants me to be sure I want to try this before inducing me with pitocin
I would wait longer than 36 weeks just because that is still not even term (37 is). If you are gaining that much weight per week too there may be something else going on, so I would let your provider know!
My 19 yr old daughter looked this brew up back in mid-June, went out and bought the ingredients, made it, drank it then took her lil sister out shopping. I didn’t even know she did it. She ended up calling me, definitely in labor. Her labor went pretty fast, she delivered at home with her midwives present. She did have complications afterwards but that had nothing to do with the brew.
I’m glad it worked!
How long to take drink after you’ve eaten?
I wound say maybe a few hours? 2 or 3?
I drank it last night at 9pm by 11:40 I woke up with extreme contractions ended up going to the l&d at 10am this morning contractions being every 1-2 min 2 cen. Dilated and 80% effaced and my bloody show on full effect they sent me home saying they expect me to be back shortly later or in the night it’s not 430 and my contractions have seemed to be less and less so I decided to drink another dose is that okay ?
That’s ok, I just wouldn’t drink more than one in 24 hrs!
I’m allergic to every type of nut, is there a nut free substitute for the almond butter? I’m not yet to due date but they are planning to induce me a week early since I’m already dilating I’d really like to not have them pump drugs in me to stimulate labor if there’s a way to go naturally. I’ve tried everything sorry of having my membranes stripped only because that was SO painful last time.
Sunflower seed butter? ♥️
I’m 39 weeks and my doctor wants to induce in 3 days which I’m trying to avoid. I’ve tried everything from eating sex walking 5 miles. So last night I’ve tried the midwives brew around 8pm I felt it work all night until this morning and kept me up from the Braxton Hicks had 2 contractions but this morning when I woke up I felt totally fine back to normal. Also after drinking this I was okay no upset stomach and vomiting. Is there a chance that it didn’t work? Has this happed to other women? Where it works really good in the beginning and it fizzles our?
That means it didn’t work 😭 You are a little early, so it may just mean that your body isn’t ready yet! I’m sorry girl!
Can we substitute verbena tea for a different tea? I’ve searched about 10 stores with no luck.
You can use Tazo Zen tea. You should be able to get that at most places! 🙂
Thank you. I also heard lemongrass is a substitute for verbena. My midwives give out a similar recipe but they tell us to add champagne. Something about the bubbles…
I will be making the brew tonight. I hope it works for me. I’m 39.4
4cm and was 70% effaced last week. The midwife told me today that I’m super soft.
good luck! 🙂
So I am 41w2d along, lost my mucus plug and had bloody show on Dec 30th which was supposed to be my due date. My midwife told me to try this drink at 41w5d, I’m still kind of weary of the castor oil. But what do you think are my chances of this working for me?
You have a great chance! If your mucous plug is already out, and you are that far along, you definitely have a very good chance. Even better if you are dilated a little bit already too! ♥️ Good luck!
Yup, as of last Thursday I was 2cm and 50% effaced with his head at a -1
That’s a good check, I hope it works!
Can you substitute castor oil for prune juice ? Asking for my sister who is worried about drinking it with castor oil .
It’s going to be most effective with castor oil, but I don’t think prune juice would hurt! It might just not taste very good!
Hi! I am going to try this now. I am 40 +5 and so ready to meet our little girl. How much water did you steep the tea in? Excited! Thank you!
Yay! 8oz, and then add the whole 8 in there! ♥️
So I just drank it, started it at 11:45 am but did end up throwing up at 12:25pm. Is there still a good chance it will work? I was 2cm and 50% effaced last Thursday so I’m hoping it will!
It may still work! It depends on how much of it you threw up! Fingers crossed!
It did not unfortunately, but I’m trying it again today but using Nutella instead of almond butter because the gritty taste was making me gag real bad to begin with. Using the Nutella is making it more pleasureable to keep down. So fingers crossed it works today! Have a midwife appointment today and will have my fourth membrane sweep today. 🤞🏻
How soon after finishing the drink can you eat? Fingers crossed!
I would say at least an hour!
I have a question. Last appointment I got checked and they said cervix was closed but super soft and I’ve been feeling baby pushing down and been having irregular contractions. I did my own concoction (because I couldn’t find all the ingredients) I used mango nectar, peanut butter, tazo zen tea, and prune juice. I’m wondering if it’ll work the same or if not because of too many substitutions? I am feeling baby pushing down constantly it’s been about 3 hours since drinking it.
It may! Good luck!
Did it work for you? Kind of in the same boat but using all ingredients. Haven’t tried it yet I’m mixing it now!
Did this work for you? I’m in the same boat.
This worked for me. It was given to me by my midwife. Baby #3 was born 1.5 hours after drinking it! I had bad diarrhea for a while at the beginning which was hard to deal with having contractions at the same time. But she arrived quickly and safe and sound! I would definitely do it again if I was having a 4th….
Yay! Congrats!!!
Hi! Is there any other type of juice that i can substitute the apricot with? Something like Grape juice?
Or pineapple! Grape should be ok! ♥️
What about orange juice?
thats fine!
So I got all the ingredients to make this, and I got excited to make this and I told my sister. My sister scared the crap out of me. She told me that castor oil can act as a laxative for you AND the baby- and said that baby can die in the womb if they poop inside. I’m terrified of doing this now. I’m not sure what to do. Is it actually safe? I don’t want to do anything that will hurt the baby.
Straight castor oil can act as a laxative which is why i don’t recommend it. This way is much safer because it will stick more to your insides, BUT Obviously don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with! That’s not true that they can die INSIDE from passing meconium, meconium passage has not been linked whatsoever with stillbirth. What is has been linked to is meconium aspiration syndrome that can be fatal for baby AFTER delivery. (Meconium during delivery can also be very benign) However it is extremely unclear if even castor oil is linked to meconium passage. I just tell mamas to use your best judgement, and don’t do anything you don’t feel comfortable with!
I drank the Brew at 230pm and laid down till 4… I ate a PB&J sandwich about 415… I threw up at about 510pm… Do you think it will still work for me??
I hope so!
Im 39 weeks 3cm dilated 75%effaced will this work
It’s more likely to work after due date but you have a nice open cervix so possibly!
Worked for me. I couldn’t find the Verbena tea, so I used mother’s milk tea and pineapple juice instead of apricot. Finished about half the brew. I was 40+4 when I took this, after trying castor oil twice a few days prior. I was 1cm and high at 40 week appt. took the brew at 9pm woke up to contractions at 12:16am. Got to the hospital at 1:40am 6 1/2 cm dilated, -3 station and 80% effaced. baby was born at 3:04am. I vomited while in labor, but no poos.
Congratulations!
Yes this really works…. My girlfriend have been having contractions mild for over 12 hours she been dilated to 3 cm for over three weeks now…. So I was just so over it for her as well as her being over it… I went to Walmart after midnight to get all the ingredients got home made the brew gave it to my girlfriend at like 1:05am she got done with it at 1:38am not even ten minutes after drinking it she threw up every where… So right after I seen her throwing up like someone from a movie we bout said it was gonna work.. She didn’t have any bowel movements or stomach pain so we was just so overwhelmed behind it all so we laid down for bed around 2:40am…. All I remember was hearing my girlfriend saying she think her water broke…. At 4:30am yes her water broke in our bed how about that lol.. Got to the hospital at 5am we was at 5cm… Our baby boy was born at 8:21am
Congratulations!
Hi. I saw that you said we could use the Tazo Zen tea. I am only seeing the Tazo green tea with lemongrass and spearmint. Is that the one that we should use if not the Lemon Verbena?
That should work!
I am currently 5 days overdue, and my midwife just recommended for me to try this. So, before I went back home today, I stopped at the store and gathered all the ingredients and decided to try it. Doesnt taste bad, however halfway through, I started having a unsettled belly ache. I continued to drink a little more, and now I feel like throwing up. I couldn’t finish the last few ounces. I feel so nauseated from this drink. I just hope I don’t end up throwing up and wasting what I just drank. I just want my baby out!!!
I hear you!! Good luck!
I am dealing with the same thing. Is there a specific time limit to completely finish it all?
Hey there, I’m 40w+1 and scheduled for an induction in 3’days but really want to avoid. However at my last appointment a day ago I was only 1cm and my doctor said my cervix was too far back to strip my membranes or to tell me much else about my cervix status. Also my baby is head down by face up. Do you recommend I try the brew?
You can! ♥️
You think you could just eat the 2 tbsp of almond butter right before downing the rest? I would think it would still serve it’s purpose..trying to make it more drinkable lol.
Hmm, I’m not sure!
How long after eating would your stomach be considered “empty”? Thanks!
I’d say 2 hours at least!
I tried this at 39w 3d ….and it worked! I was already 70%effaced and 4 cm dilated.
I drank this between 8:37 PM-8:45pm, substituted the tea for zao because I couldn’t find that pure tea anywhere. The brew made me go to the bathroom once and I did feel like I may have needed to go again soon.
I started having Braxton hicks around 1030pm and fell asleep at 1am. I woke up at 2:24am with labor contractions, woke my husband up at 245am. The contractions were not consistent (anywhere between 1 min til 7 min apart) but they were super strong. We got to the birth center around 320am and my midwife helped me deliver my baby boy by 5:03am. My labor was not even 3 hrs long! I had horrible back labor though.
In any case, the brew was a success and I delivered a healthy 8lb baby boy on January 8th.
Congratulations!
Hi! How soon after drinking the brew can I eat? I’m worried it won’t work if I eat too soon.
Thanks in advance
I’d say wait a good two hours!
Hi Liesel! I’m currently 41w3d (and DYING to have this baby!). Induction is set for 2 days from now and I really want to avoid that. Just cam across this recipe and it sounds promising! Just curious, I am 85% effaced but last check on Tuesday showed no dilation. Is this still worth a shot if I’m not dilated? Thanks in advance!
It’s worth a shot! ♥️
Trying this right now. Am using mango juice instead of apricot cuz Walmart didn’t have it and eating the almond butter separate cuz it bugs me to think of mixing it inside the drink. Saw someone post they eat it first and it still worked so here’s hoping!!
How soon after you drink this will you have to go to the hospital? I don’t wanna get there and have diarrhea everywhere 😬
It shouldn’t give ya diarrhea! 🙂 it depends but most women report if it works within 12 hours!
It worked within 2-4 hours for me and I never felt nauseous or had diarrhea.
My doctor is planning to induce me in exactly two weeks because of me having excess amniotic fluid. Would it be safe to try this ahead of time to keep from having to get medically induced?
It’s certainly worth a shot but just always check with your provider before taking it! 🙂
I can not for the life of me, keep this drink down. Drank 3 swigs of it. Waited a minute and puked. I drew a bath and was able to keep taking a few more swigs. Just got out and and am still trying my best to get it down. It seems my little one has the hiccups so far, nothing else. This is my 3rd baby and my last was really quick (3 1/2 hours from start to finish) but both previous were induced. So I’m hoping this puts me into labor but wanting to know how soon I should go in if I start experiencing the labor contractions? I have never experienced spontaneous labor!
I was 38 weeks 4 days. I was 3cm dilated and this is my 3rd baby. I gave it a shot and 2 hours later I was having contractions close together. Another 2 hours later I was headed to the hospital. I was admitted at 11:30 pm and had him the following morning. I couldn’t find the exact ingredients so I read through some of the comments to figure out what I could do. I did peanut butter, castor oil, tazo zen tea, and champagne. Thanks for all the tips! We are loving on our little boy now….who was 8lbs 5oz born 3/18/19 😊
Congratulations!!!
Made this at 1015am and drank it…used peach nectar instead of mango. Not gross to drink. It’s now 2pm and still waiting. Just trying to avoid a medical induction Wed morning!! I’m 38.3, 3cm dilated. Fingers crossed it works…anything to avoid being induced Wednesday!
(….yes I’ve been trying everything else. Third pregnancy and have always gone into labor on my own, I am totally against pitocin so being induced isn’t really in my plan)
I was 6 days over due so I decided to try it…I had to substitute canned apricot halves pureed in the blender because I could not find the juice anywhere but I drank it at 2 pm on Saturday and my water broke at 11 pm that night and our baby boy was born at 2:45 pm the next day!
Hooray! Congratulations!!
I drank this and finished it around 1 pm yesterday. Got to my OB appointment at 2:45. They checked me and said I was at a 3 and my contractions were every 2-4 minutes so she sent me to L&D.
Contractions didn’t cause anymore cervical change after an hour so they sent me home. Now walking, bouncing, drinking Red Raseberry Leaf tea to get this ball rolling. I’m trying to avoid being induced for the 3rd time! I don’t think I will try another brew because it took everything in me just to keep it down but it at least brought on enough contractions to dilate me to a 3!
I tried the brew at 8pm last night and had strong period like cramps, lower back pain, and my stomach was really hard most of the night. Nothing that felt like a real contraction though. I’m 40 weeks and 4 days and have a c section scheduled in three days. I had a c section with my first so my docs won induce me and I’m trying so hard to avoid another one. Do you think I should try the brew again tonight?
I’m 39w5d I just took this brew at 130 finished it at 145. I’ve been getting some pains but not really contractions. I waited an hour before I ate anything and I’ve only ate popcorn. I’m hoping it works because my doctor wants to induce me by Friday and I’m trying to avoid that.
So it’s 6am and the contractions I was getting are gone! I’m wondering if I messed it up bc I ate something right after and I was snacking on little things and drank some soda right before I drank the brew. I’m going to try it again today but not going to eat anything before hand nor after for at least 2-3 hours. I hope it works!! I don’t want to get induced!
I’m 41+ weeks and scheduled for csection on Friday… I’m having a literally meltdown because I dont want to do it. This is #2. My first was emergency csection. They refuse to induce me. I lost blood and mucus Monday but not dilated. 🙁
I tried castor oil and orange juice this morning and been walking all day.
If it hasn’t worked with just oil and O.J will this recipe work for me?! I really want a VBAC!!
Just finished the drink. It wasn’t THAT bad. I did put a little ice in it though. I’m 40+2 weeks and praying this will be the day we get to meet our baby boy! I have heard many amazing testimonies from women I know, so I’m hopeful!
Good luck Jamie!!
I literally ran around all morning and ended up going to five different stores to find all of the ingredients! Thank goodness for my local spice exchange which I didn’t know existed… they had lemon verbena!! Ended up finding apricot juice at my local Mexican market; Goya brand (had a hunch). Castor oil and almond butter were a little bit easier but they didn’t have castor oil at Whole Foods or Target my first two stops… I will say going on a scavenger hunt was very distracting and I got a lot of walking in. The concoction actually tasted amazing… and now we wait. I’m 40w +3d with my 4th and eager to meet my little girl. Hopefully this works!
How fast are you supposed to drink this? If I sip it slow will it still work?
I am currently 40+5 weeks and last checked I was only 1cm dialated. This is my first pregnancy and I have a scheduled induction at 41+1 weeks. I went out and bought the ingredients and I am currently drinking the brew now. So we’ll see how it goes! The brew actually doesn’t taste bad at all. I actually like the way it taste. I used the Tazo Zen tea, apricot juice, castor oil, and almond butter. Drinking it warmed as well. I’ll update in a day or so. 🙂
How did it work for you??
So what’s the update? Did it work?
I took this a week before my due date with my 2nd. I was having contractions off and on for days. I was 2cm and 50% effaced when my midwife checked me (first time ever getting a check and it was awful!). Was in labor 2 hours after the drink, delivered baby 3 hours after first contraction.
How many tea bags does the recipe call for?
Can i use mineral oil instead of castor oil?
I tried this two days ago and within 3 hours of drinking in (took me that long to drink most of it!) my water broke and within 30 mins I started having strong contractions that were 3-5 mins apart and about an hour or so after I was already dilated to a 4! 3ish hours after I drank it our little girl was born via c-section, she was breeched so it had nothing to do with the drink. I was 39 weeks and 5 days when I drank it. I didn’t expect it to work since it took me a while to drink it, I had it about 40 mins after eating dinner so definitely try to avoid eating a meal before you do it.
I’m 39 weeks and being induced tuesday so i decided to try this. Drank all of it 2 hrs ago so we’ll see. Hopefully it does something since I’m already 2cm dialated and 30% effaced. Fingers crossed.
Just finished the drink at 4:45pm I am currently 41 Weeks and supposed to be induced on Monday and want to try everything to avoid that. I just prune nectar juice inside of apricot juice as I couldn’t find it ! Took be about 40 mins to drink I thought it tasted fine and had about 4 sofa crackers will I drank it! Hopefully it works!!!
I’m 38wks and 2 days. I’m really considering trying this, 2 wks ago I was dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced and I’m scheduled to be induced at 39 wks. I’m trying to avoid being induced, do you think this would be a good option for me?
You may be too early!
I ended up trying it that night around 11 and had my little girl by at 9am!
That’s amazing!!! Congratulations! 💕
Can I make the brew without the apricot nectar?
I’m allergic to both Almond Butter, Peanut butter and Soy butter do you think Sun Butter will be a better option? I also cannot have caffeine and I’ve noticed the Tazo Zen Tea has lots of caffeine, would the herbal lemon verbena Caffeine free option work for me??I am 40 weeks and ready to have this miracle baby. Seems there are absolutely no blogs or videos for any substitutes for folks who have food allergies! What are other safe remedies?
Any kind of butter should work! and the herbal tea is fine too!
I tried this at 39 weeks because I swore my baby was ready, and it worked! Went into labor the next day and she was born within 4 hours of active labor in the tub 🙂 I used pineapple juice instead of apricot, if it helps anyone reading!
At my appointment today (37 weeks, measuring at 39 weeks) my doctor told me I am 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. My husband is due to go out of town for work for 2 weeks, 2 days before my scheduled induction. Do you think this would work for me? Baby is head down and I’ve been having constant Braxton Hicks with some pain. I know it’s best to wait until AFTER you’re due but I am measuring ahead and my body is ready.
Will it still work if you throw up a little bit of the midwife brew
I am 37 +4 days. I just tried the drink 1.5 hours ago. I am having slight contractions already.
Anyone else have a very active baby after? She won’t stop moving! Lol
I drank this brew last night at 8:50pm. It did make me a little nauseated at first but I was able to keep it down. I also never had diarrhea, but did have a bowel movement. About an hour later I was getting inconsistent BH that weren’t painful. However, I started noticing the contractions were more consistent two hours after drinking it. My contractions were coming every 2-4 minutes, they were uncomfortable but not painful. I decided to try to sleep around 1am. I woke up around 4am and had intense back pain and painful contractions I would rate 6/10. I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I waited it out until they lessened. Around 9am they slowed down and now all I have is lower back pain that won’t go away. I guess it fizzled out for me :/ I’m still getting Braxton Hicks periodically today but nothing out of the norm for me. Would it be safe to try this brew again in a few days?
I am 38 weeks 2 days and planning for a VBAC. I have had one prior vaginal birth and a C-section due to fetal distress. I have been about 1 – 1.5cm dilated and 60%-70% effaced since 36 weeks so hopefully he comes on his own but if we reach 40 weeks and he hasn’t yet I planned to try this concoction! Is this recommended for women trying for VBAC as well??
I and 38.5 weeks, partially effaced and almost 2 cm dilated, this is my third pregnancy and both babes were born early with no inductions, baby #1 was born at 38 weeks, baby #2 at 39 weeks. I’ve been sick this entire pregnancy am desperate to be done. Tried this earlier today and it did nothing except make me super nauseous for two hours. Oh well, baby will come when he’s ready…
IT WORKED!!!!
Here’s another testimony for the, it worked category. I’ve been following your IG page during my pregnancy and was directed here to read your blog on VBACs. My first child was breech, and a csection was scheduled for 39 weeks, so I never even felt a contraction. I was interested in trying for a vbac this go-round. I’m 38 years old, and as I got closer to my due date, I was starting to get pressure from my obgyn about getting induced at 39 weeks. I wanted to avoid as many medical interventions as possible, in order to have the best chance at having a successful vbac. Thankfully I was able to get her to hold off at least until my due date (which fell on a Wednesday), but that came and went and there was still no baby. So, before my next scheduled appointment (that Friday, so I was 40 weeks and 2 days), I took my daughter to school, came home, washed the dishes, and drank the brew at 9:45am. By 11am I started to feel cramps and what I thought was my water breaking, but it wasn’t a gush, it was trickling out with each contraction. My whole birthing story is a whirlwind, but the short (ish) version is that, I went into labor at 11am and she was born at 3:14pm. Thank you for posting this informative blog entry on the drink!!!!
Amazing!!! Congratulations!
I also want to say that this worked for me! My due date was 6/27 but had my baby on 6/18 at 38.5 weeks. I tried it at exactly 38 weeks but it didn’t work. I did have a lot of consistent contractions, but they tapered off by the next day. I decided to try it around 9pm on 6/17, due to having irregular BH all week. I was SUPER nauseous after drinking it, but I forced myself to keep it all since I didn’t want to throw up. I went to bed and woke up around 3am with some mild diarrhea but nothing too bad. When I laid back down in bed, I noticed that my BH were a bit uncomfortable, but I could still go back to sleep. I woke up around 5:30am and my contractions were coming every 4 minutes and this time they were starting to take my breath away. I got to the hospital around 7:30am, they checked me around 8am and I was 4.5 cm (I was 1cm the week before) and with a bulging bag of waters. By the time I got to my delivery room, it was around 9:30am and I had him at 11:26am. It was a painful, yet smooth and fast delivery!! I will say that this will only work if your body and baby are ready. Although it didn’t work for me the first time, I felt like I was ready to try again the second time around as I was having more and more BH as the week went. The brew was just the little nudge my body needed to go into labor naturally!
hooray!! Congrats!
If this doesn’t put me in labor the first time do you drink again the next day or how much should you drink??
you can try again in 24 hours, but I would check with your provider!
I’m 2cm dilated and he said I’m
“Thinned out a little” , Do u think the drink would work??
it could!
Thank you so much for this post! I read every single comment on here looking for an answer so it looks like I gotta ask haha! I have tried the brew twice. I started prodromal labor at 35 weeks. And have been miserable since then. I tried the brew at 39 wks, had ctx for 10 hours 1-5 minutes apart. Midwife came and checked me. I was 3cm and baby station 0.
Yesterday (40wks) tried it again, drank it at 5:30pm and started ctx at 9:30pm. Had strong ctx 1-5 minutes, went to bed and had some through the night. Woke up this morning and they were 3-5 min apart. It’s now 3:15 pm and they are completely gone!
My question is: how many times can you safely take the brew and how long in between should I wait?
Thank you!!
hmm, I would wait at least 24 hours between. And I don’t believe there is a certain limit. But I would check with your provider! at 0 station, and 3cm dilated you are so close!
For my fifth and final full term pregnancy, my midwife had me take a simple concoction of 2 oz cod liver oil, 2 oz orange juice, and 2 oz wine. Stir quickly and down quickly. I never tasted the oil! I was 10 days late and had the baby 5 or 6 hours later!! Just don’t eat a lot for 24 hours previous to taking, though I didn’t take that precaution. It was definitely the quickest birth I ever experienced, also. Squawvine tincture (perhaps misspelled) made transition so much more bearable. I started taking it during the last week or two of my pregnancy. It was amazing!
This worked for me!
On June 24th, I made the mixture at about 9 am. I could not finish it. I drank only two glasses with some eggs and toast because it started making me nauseous. Two hours later- I was in active labor. Started at 11 am, but roughly at 5pm they were unbearable to manage at home. Went to L&D and was admitted. I was 4 centimeters dilated. Had my baby boy at 8:52 PM the same day. My husband and I both laughed because the brew actually worked. I was 40 weeks
amazing! congratulations!
I was 4 days past my due date and decided to take the midwives brew at 6:30pm. I went European style and added a little Prosecco to my drink. I used 3 Tazo zen bags to brew the tea part. I really liked the taste and enjoyed drinking the whole thing. It didn’t make me nauseated. And I didn’t have any diarrhea. One hour later I was experiencing mild contractions. By 9:30pm it felt like I was in legit early stages of labor. By 11:30pm I was ready to head over to the hospital where I found out I was 5-6cm!!! By 2:30am I was 8-9cm. Got an epidural the last hour and baby boy was born at 6:30am (exactly 12 hours after taking the brew!). Can’t believe it worked!
congratulations!!
It worked for me. I drank the mixture at 7:30 pm, started having regular timetable contractions at about 11 pm, water broke at 3 am, delivered my little girl this morning at exactly 5 am!
I was 38+1, 3cm dilated and 60% effaced for 2 weeks prior.
hooray! congratulations!
I’m 39 weeks today, i’ve been having a lot of pain, like ligament pain, Braxton-Hicks, a lot of pressure down there, & the urge to poop it’s been going on for days now and i’m at the point where I can’t take it anymore! Can i drink this at 39 weeks pregnant?
That is up to you! I cannot legally give you medical advice, but it sounds like you’re very close to ready!
Where do you find lemon verbena tea?
Many grocery stores carry it, and I KNOW you can grab a box off of Amazon. 🙂
39.5 weeks, 2, 40% effaced, -2 station- all as of last Wednesday. Drank the brew 12 hours ago…. absolutely nothing. 😭 I follow you on IG and it took me hours to make the connection.
Aww I’m sorry Katie! It doesn’t work every time – good luck and I’m glad you made the connection!! <3
So my daughter is 40 weeks and 3 days and is ready to have baby girl. I read about this concoction and she decided to give it a try. I made this for her and gave it to her around 4pm. Lets hope it works! I’m hoping my grandbaby will share my birthday with me tomorrow! It would be the best gift ever! I will keep you posted😊
That WOULD be the best gift ever!! Fingers crossed. 🙂
I believe this worked wonders for me! I took the brew at 10am and at 6pm I started having labor contractions and when I got to hospital 2 hours later I was already 5cm dilated. My entire labor took 10 hours and I only pushed for 30 mins! I’m gonna recommend this to all my pregnant friends! It does work!!!
Yay!!! Congratulations!
I notice that many women experience extremely fast labor and delivery after trying this brew, including my sister who barely made it to the hospital. That makes me nervous because I have 3 other kids to get where they need to be and a husband who may have to get someone to cover for him at work before he can come take me to the hospital. Do you think using half the amount of castor oil or only drinking half the brew or something along those lines could still help labor start without causing it to be so fast? I’m 39 weeks, 5 days and have been 3 cm and 60% effaced for 3 weeks. Lost my plug a week ago. This is baby #4.
Hi! It definitely couldn’t hurt to try it! This isn’t an exact science, so there’s no way to be sure. Good luck!!
Update: I decided to go ahead and do full strength. Contractions started before I finished the drink! No negative side effects. However, once I reached about 5 cm, contractions slowed down tremendously and I ended up needing pitocin after trying different positions to get them going again.
Do you have to use castor oil for it to work? Just don’t want to be stuck with bad diarrhea.
It will work best with castor oil and hopefully won’t give you diarrhea. Straight castor oil can act as a laxative which is why I don’t recommend it. This way is much safer because it will stick more to your insides, BUT Obviously don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with!
I drank the brew about an hour ago. I didn’t think it tasted as bad as I’d anticipated. I took it on an empty stomach, but now I’m wanting to eat some dates to help ripen my cervix. Is it ok to eat now or should I avoid food?
I’ve been reading these stories and hyping myself up to try the midwives brew. My first baby… and I was just eager to get her out. Obviously, I wanted her to be full term, and be safe. So I wouldn’t have tried this is I didn’t feel it was safe/talked to my OB. I told her I was doing it and she said it wasn’t the best idea but did not say it was going to harm myself or baby. Just a little disclaimer! So I’ve been taking evening primrose oil, bouncing on a birthing ball multiple times a day, raspberry leaf tea, and ya know.. doing a lot of what got me pregnant trying to induce naturally/male labor quick when it was time. I have had NO contractions prior to today. Today I was 38 weeks and 1 day and talked myself into trying it. I decided to cut back on the castor oil and use about 1.25-1.5tbsp cause I was a little chicken of getting sick to my stomach, diarrhea, etc. so I made the drink, blended it, added ice and drank over 30 minutes. I finished the drink around 12:30pm. Went diarrhea right away I think because of nerves – fear of what was going to happen(the unknown- would it work? Would I be sick and nothing happen, etc) Sat around, never felt sick to my stomach or anything. Took a little nap around 2… around 3 I had acouple small contractions, felt like period cramps. My honey got home from work right after the last one, around 3:10 and god must’ve known because the second he layed in bed, and asked how I was, my water BROKE!! No contractions, nothing, just a big gush of water. Went to the restroom- it kept coming. Grabbed our bags and left for the hospital. Got to the hospital around 4pm was dilated to 4cm. I was not having contractions greater than a light period cramp.. got admitted to my room around 5.. by 5:30 I was having excruciating contractions. 6 came and I was begging for an epidural. They didn’t check my dilation because usually it doesn’t move so fast for first time babies- finally got the epidural at 6:30 to feel babies head coming down!!! They checked and I was dilated to a 10 already and my doctor flew in to start pushing because her head was already crowning. Pushed for 10 minutes and she was here. Holy heck what a FAST moving day for me. And again, 38weeks and 1 day. First baby. Sweet baby girl healthy and here!! Goodluck mommas
What an AMAZING experience – I’m so glad everything went okay. <3
On August 1st I was admitted into the hospital at 32 weeks 3.5 cm dilated with twins. With one baby being breech it was too risky for me to go home so I stayed in the hospital and I kept dilating and effacing more and more each day and having contractions 5-6 an hour every hour for 16 days. I was actually 6cm dilated at 34 weeks and dr said he would deliver the babies if I dilated anymore. The babies were both head down at this point so I decided to try this drink hoping if it doesn’t work than I am not ready but I had the drink made and drank it at 7:40 pm it took about 10 minutes to drink. I took a shower and took a nap woke up at 9:00 and my water broke. Started having strong contractions and transferred to labor and delivery where they discovered I was 8cm dilated. They rushed to get an epidural and twins were born at 11:10 and 11:21 healthy and no time in the NICU thank God! I definitely recommend this drink only if your body and baby are ready.
Oh congrats Ashley – how exciting!! And yes, you definitely want to make sure that you are ready. 🙂
I’m 40 weeks pregnant but not dilated yet, do you think it’ll still work?
It’s worth a shot!
I made this i couldn’t find the verdna tea so i used lemon green tea.a i did however find the other exact ingredients. I am still hoping this works i am supposed to be induced in 4 days and would rather not be induced so fingers are crossed. Its been 2 hours and no contractions when do they usually start
Hi Chrissy! This will vary from woman to woman. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that everything went ok for you!
Hi does this work even if you have no dilated or do you have to be dilated a little or does it make you dilate ? Just curious!
It’s hard to say, but you can definitely give it a shot!
Can you sub the Castor Oil for Mineral Oil?
Hi Lyric! Unfortunately it’s just not quite the same thing.
How fast do you have to drink it for it to be effective?
You want to drink it in one sitting, but you don’t have to chug it super fast. Sometimes that helps make the taste more bearable though!
I’m 38 +1 with twins, my OB wants to induce at 39+1, a week from today. Do you think it’s safe for me to drink in a twin pregnancy? Also dialated to a 5 (maybe 6) and 60% effaced.. just no sign of labor. I’ve been dialating slowly over the last 3 weeks, and I’ve lost my mucous plug. I’ve always been an advocate for keeping babies cooking longer.. but was curious to see if this might help me along. The dr who I would like to deliver will also be on vacation for my 40th week.. so I don’t want to wait! Thanks for reading!
It should be safe – but you could definitely check with your OB just in case. Best of luck!
I am doing this at 38 + 5days. My OB has set my induction for Monday because I am measuring too large. She did perform a membrane sweep on Wednesday and nothing happened besides losing my mucus plug. I have tried everything I just did the drink 45 min ago after reading all these comments. Fingers crossed this works will do my best to write an update on what happens.
I hope this worked for you – best of luck with everything.
Would it work with just one tbls of castor oil?
Possibly – it’s best to follow the recipe exactly but you need to work with what you have for sure!
I’m 37 weeks and soo ready for her to come as it has been a horrible last 2 weeks and lost my mucus plug already so my husband told me about this brew so tonight at 845pm we tried it now awaiting to see if it works.
Oh congrats Abby – I hope it worked for you!!!
Did this work for you?
I tried this yesterday and it did not work for me when I was 40+4. It’s now been 24 hours and all I felt yesterday were some minimal contractions that lasted an hour and then horrible stomach cramps later in the day. Wishing better luck to everyone else, I guess my baby girl just doesn’t want to come out!
Dang it, sorry Kristin. 40+4 is TOUGH. I hope your little one is here with us now!
So I’ll be 39 weeks in two days and I’m being induced in 4 days. I would like to avoid that induction by all means possible!!! At my appointment last week I was at 3cm and 90% effaced. My doctor did a stretch and sweep and I did have a few contractions but nothing that stuck so I’m sure I’m further this week. I’m a bit nervous about using the castor oil and was wondering if there was a substitute for it or if the brew would be effective without it?
It’s going to be most effective with castor oil since that’s a pretty important part of it – but you could always try it! Good luck!
I am 40 weeks tomorrow! I’ve been 1.5cm and 80-90% effaced for almost 3 weeks. BH contractions have been every 10 minutes for the past week but at my appointment yesterday there was still no change. Induction scheduled for 5 days from now and I really don’t want to do that! Just drank the brew (used Tazo Zen tea) and it wasn’t bad at all. I think it being slightly warm and the texture was the worst part. I highly recommend drinking with a straw! The foam at the end was hard to get down, but the straw helped me drink it within 10 mins. I’ve been walking for about 45 minutes since drinking it and have started to feel a lot of pressure and some more pain. Hopeful it will work!
Thanks MacKenzie! Fingers crossed – I hope it worked out for you! <3
It didn’t work for me on this day, but I tried it again at 6pm on September 20th and was in labor by 10pm. Had my baby in my arms by 11am! I DO NOT think this induced labor (because obviously if baby isn’t on its way out, NOTHING is going to get it out other than outside medical intervention) but I absolutely 110% believe it super sped up the process! I was 2.5 cm when I went into the hospital and they checked at 1am, 4cm by 3am, and 9cm by 5am. I recommended it to my friend a couple weeks later, she got it approved by both her midwife and doctor, and she was in labor 6 hours later and had her baby boy shortly after. Never experienced any diarrhea or adverse effects other than labor itself!
I am 38 weeks and 4 days doctor said I didn’t change from last week visit I am still 2cm 25% and -2, I have been hurting since Sunday it’s now Wednesday and they scheduled me to be induced on the 26th. I just ate at 6p but I still feel full it’s 9:10p now when can I drink the drink to be on in empty stomach???????
Hi Stephanie! You are probably okay to go ahead and drink it! We all digest a little differently, but typically when doctor’s say to take a medication on an empty stomach, they want you to wait two hours before and after eating.
Hi! Just wanted to encourage anyone who this didn’t work for. When I tried this I was was 40weeks and 4 days. I tried it first thing in the morning at 7:45am on an empty stomach. I had contractions throughout the morning which subsided in the afternoon. Then at dinner time, around 6:45pm, I had painful contractions and got ready for a trip to the hospital at some point in the middle of the night. I went to sleep around 9pm to prepare for the upcoming difficulties of labor and when I woke up in the night at some point they were all gone. 🤷🏼♀️
I read a lot of success stories, so I wanted to encourage anyone who hadn’t had success like me.
I appreciate that Heather – yes it can be very discouraging if you see something work for so many others and not you. Eventually we’ll all get there, thanks again. <3
Thanks. Did nothing for me as well, nothing. Everything is favorable for my baby to be ready but my body is fighting every method I find. There’s just no effect.
Currently 40+5 with my first. Easy pregnancy, healthy baby, with no complications this far for either myself or the babe. Provider has me coming in for NST & Biophysical Exam & Cervix check next week at 41. Then they’re going to decide on whether they want to induce me…I really DO NOT want to be induced medically, especially because so far me and baby are happy & healthy (good regular fetal movement and hb’s). My provider said they start to get “uncomfortable” around 10-12 days past a due date. That said, I’m really ready to meet my baby, but also really want to wait until my baby and body “are ready”! I’m not sure what condition my cervix is in currently, but my baby’s head is DEEP in my pelvis, according to all the midwives and I feel a lot of pelvic pressure…but this has been the case for WEEKS. When would you recommend trying this in my case?? I’m only going to do it as a last “natural” resort. Any ideas on halving the concoction? (I just reallyyyy hate vomit 🤢 (poops I can handle!)…so was curious about that. Tried nipple stimulation…did nothing but make my nips kinda sore/numb, we tried sex, walking…this would be my last try. But wanted advice on when. Also don’t really want to mention it to my provider because I feel like they already think I’m a little “crunchy” 😬.
Wow you go momma! That’s a LONG time to wait!! I hope everything went well for you – but I don’t think it would hurt anything to try. 🙂
I’m 38.1 weeks and 2-3 cm dilated and thin. My midwife gave me the okay to try this drink anytime now due to pelvic pain/vaginal pain. I drank a similar drink ( castor oil and orange juice) when I was 39 weeks with my first son and went into labour that night. Had him
By noon the next day.
It’s been an hour and nothing has started up yet. I’m wondering if I didn’t put enough castor oil in this mixture. Is that the most important factor here ?? Thanks
Hi Nancy – it IS a pretty important factor. And it doesn’t work for everyone unfortunately. I wish you the best of luck!
I am 38.5 weeks.. I took this concoction at 10:30pm. Went to sleep at 1:15am feeling nothing. Woke up at 2:45 with period like contractions. Within 25 minutes my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. I left for the hospital which was 25 minutes away… well I had her in the car getting off of the freeway. So yes this works.. a little too well!
LOL glad to hear! Congrats!!!
Can I take the brew before I am even dilated?
You can, but it’s hard to say whether it would have any effect.
I tried it yesterday at 7:50pm. Started contractions around 11:30. By the time it was 1 they were about 2-3mins apart and pretty intense. Went to the hospital around 1:45 and was only 1cm dilated so they sent me home. I ended up having contractions like this all the way until about 6:45am and then they subsided by 7. And were completely gone by 9 🙁 Do you think I should try again or wait? They want to induce me in 7 days and I really don’t want to have to go through that (had to do it with my first son).
Oh I’m so sorry Kate!! I got to this comment late, but I hope everything worked out okay for you.
Hey! I just wanted to leave a comment about the midwives brew… and that is 100% worked for me!!! I was skeptical at first,!’ But ended up bringing it up to my midwife .. and she basically said if you are smart about it and stay hydrated then go for it! So I did. I was 38 weeks and having a lot of pelvic pain/pressure, and was already 3cm and 80% effaced (it’s my second baby) so I went ahead and tried the brew. Literally I drank it at 230 in the afternoon, light contractions started around 335pm, and my precious baby boy was born at 11:15pm that night!!!!! I had a wonderful delivery at home, no tearing, so amazing and thanks to the brew; he’s here and healthy! I drank lots of water during labour and are jello to stay hydrated . 🙂
Yay how exciting!! I’m SO glad it worked for you – congrats!
This legit WORKS!! I took this drink around 4pm, right before dinner. I was in active labor around 4am the next morning. It definitely doesn’t taste pleasant. I did pineapple juice instead & just plain green tea bag. Just chug it down! Haha
Haha yes the taste is TERRIBLE. I’m so glad it worked out for you. <3
So I did some research while searching for the tea and found that one called “lemon thriller” has the same ingredients as the zen tea for half the price. I’m taking the mixture tonight and I’ll keep you updated!
Awesome – I’ll keep my fingers crossed!