5-W during end of pregnancy?

Ohio Doula · 10-12-2007, 10:23 PM

Anyone know anything about taking 5-W during the last 5 weeks of pregnancy? My client will be 35 weeks tomorrow and she told me she is going start taking this. I don't really know anything about it

Thanks!

ScootchsMom · 10-13-2007, 08:23 AM

Never heard of it

earthgirl · 10-13-2007, 08:47 AM

5-W

5-W (which stands for 5 weeks) is an herbal blend that supplies nutrients supportive to the female glandular and reproductive systems and should be taken during the last five weeks of pregnancy. It contains black cohosh root, squaw vine herb, dong quai root, butchers broom root, red rasberry leaves

Benefits:
• Supports glandular system.
• Supports reproductive system.

I have no experience to share about this particular product... sorry
Does hers care provider know about it, or recommend it?

Ohio Doula · 10-13-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthgirl

5-W

5-W (which stands for 5 weeks) is an herbal blend that supplies nutrients supportive to the female glandular and reproductive systems and should be taken during the last five weeks of pregnancy. It contains black cohosh root, squaw vine herb, dong quai root, butchers broom root, red rasberry leaves

Benefits:
• Supports glandular system.
• Supports reproductive system.

I have no experience to share about this particular product... sorry
Does hers care provider know about it, or recommend it?

Thanks! No, her CNM does not know about it. A family friend owns a health food store and gave it to her

Client said she is "ready to have the baby" .

b'earth angel · 10-13-2007, 04:54 PM

I took a 5W type for both of my pregnancies. There are several on the market, I think that the actual 5W is from Nature's Sunshine. I also think that you can find info on another at birth junkie dot com, if my memory serves me right. As earthgirl said, the purpose of the blend is to tone, prepare, nourish, etc. the female system in preparation for childbirth. Depending on what formula she is taking, there can be herbs in it normally considered 'unsafe' during pregnancy. So she needs to be sure of what she is taking and why.
According to Polly's Birth Book, pg 155-158, " the antenatal formula assists in the following ways:
much esier labor and delivery,
Longer and easier labors for women who tend to have precipitous births.
Shorter and easier labors for women who tend to have long labors.
Bigger dilation before discomfort arises.
Minimization of PP bleeding when takin in conjuction with the "Good Program."
SHorter periods bfore lochia stops.
Polly Jean's formula contains the following:
motherwort, wild ginger, squawvine, blue cohosh, blessed thistle, red rasberry leaves, false unicorn, wild yam and bayberry root bark.

As I said before, there are several on the market. Each one having a different blend of herbs to support the uterus and female system.

Ohio Doula · 10-13-2007, 07:23 PM

I know she is taking the one by Nature's Sunshine because she showed me the bottle.

AlaskaDoula · 10-14-2007, 06:23 PM

The birth center in my town recomends 5-W for all of thier clients. I took it for my pregnancy. The midwives there say they beleive it is very benificial. I have also it helps to go into labor before the 42 week cut off for birth at the center.

10-17-2007, 02:30 AM

I had a 47 hour labor for my first birth, with tons of intervention(hospital). My second was a six and a half hour homebirth. I took five w by nature's sunshine and would never birth again without it. My midwife served as my doula for my first birth, of course, my midwife for my second birth. She was the one that recommended it to me. Because of having RH factor I had parallel care. I showed the bottle to my physician and she was all for it. I also took tons of iron plus herbs by floradix because as Dr Grantly Dick-Read taught us in Childbirth w/o fear, anemia causes slow painful labors. I never overcame my anemia with my first preg. If your client is looking to Five W for a faster labor. Iron helps that out, too.

Oh, yeah and my pushing stage was only nine minutes from breaking water at 8 cms to the baby being totally in the hands of the midwife. I had spontainieous (agk- sp!) pushing that was sooo cool. My belly just picked up and pushed down. Was out of my control. Panting to slow it, but my uterus was meaning business!!!