How much would you be willing to try if you were overdue?

[Arimeh]

I'm just putting this out there - just to see what other people think

We (DH, two friends and I) were talking today about the effects that having cannabis (in any form, smoking, eating, whatever) has, and the theory that it can lead to premature labour or leads to labour etc. Mainly because Cannabis is an "oxytocic herb that can help relax the controlling mind and bring attention to the needs of the body, as well as strengthen the needed contractions" (this is from an article that DH found on the internet as we thought it made for interesting discussion - yes we are strange!)

My friend had a bit throughout her pregnancy and gave birth a month early. I don't want to press too much into that (not interested in people's opinions on what my friend thinks is best for her and her son obviously!) just that it demonstrates that it might be true.

If you had a history of going over, and nothing else was working (RLT, EPO, massage, acupuncture etc) - would you go so far as to have a joint/bong/cookie (whatever form!) to see if that would bring something on?

I think our theory that we got to today, was that cannabis "frees" your mind of blockages, and to have some of this when your mind is "blocked" and stalling your labour from either a) happening, or b) progressing - as it makes you more in tune with nature and helps you therefore with the natural process of childbirth (theoretically of course!) - then is it another course of action that you would consider taking if you were faced with an induction, or a c/section if nothing happened?

Also according to the same article, the ancient egyptians used cannabis to induce contractions.

I just thought it was interesting and pretty thought-provoking (although I do have two young kids so anything other than wiping poo and boogers all day is pretty damn interesting to me!!!).

Any thoughts? Would you consider it?

[MrsFabuloso]

Nope, I would rather be induced if I was that desperate.

[Maruschke]

Mel, interesting idea! Actually my doula lent me a book of birth stories, and one of them was about a woman who gave birth in the northern territory, and all she had for pain relief was a joint and green bananas. It worked for her.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I have tried it a few times, and found the sensation so bizarre that it made me tense rather than relaxed. So nope, not for me. Also, I am not sure about the impact it would have on the baby (but yeah that is for another thread).

I was surprised by how desperate I got when I was nearing my due date, so I aint gunna judge anyone...

[christy]

ohhhh I find thats interesting. I'm not a pot smoker etc etc blah blah blah... BUT I know that I needed something that would disassociate my mind from things to get over the panic I was feeling at one point. I was all for a drug free natural labour but at one point my mind went *CRAP!!!!* so I asked for pethadine and that helped me get through everything to achieve the birth I wanted in the end.

[Willow]

Nope, I wouldn't. Hated the way it made me feel.

[Arimeh]

BUT I know that I needed something that would disassociate my mind from things to get over the panic I was feeling at one point.

I think thats the point I was trying to make - to make you disassociated from all current thoughts, fears, etc that stop you going into labour (or stall) - the possibility of it helping - I think is really interesting.

(btw, I'm not saying or admitting that I'm going to turn into a huge potsmoking junkie - just that I find the actual idea of using cannabis to "let go" of your fears/issues so that birth can take its natural course is quite .. well.. interesting!)

[Lulu]

Hhmm, I think it would probably be a mistake to have a go at cannabis in order to get over the fear thingo (lulu had lotsa drinks right now, bear with me!).

If you used ganga in the past, and you knew it would get you where you needed to be....oohh I dunno. I don't think it would be an ACE idea...but then again, if I only had pot and green bananas, I know what I'd go for

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I wasn't scared of birth, I was looking forward to it. Much as I loved pregnancy, for some reason I wanted to meet my baby. I was doing every known and legal induction method a good month before I went into labour! Even going for runs at full term. Not having the runs, going out for them. Sex, evening primrose oil, bumpy drives, curry, that tincture tea thing, homeopathic pills, long walks, telling Leibling to just come out already...

I wouldn't have tried cannabis. I wanted a drug-free birth LMAO. But in more seriousness, I wasn't scared and don't like external things altering my mind.

[AliBaby]

No way. It has way too many bad things in it that I would not want going into me or my baby.

[sneakysparkle]

I would be interested to know if the effects of pot were worse for the baby than say, peth/epidural etc...

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

An epidural doesn't alter brain chemistry or give hallucinations (in the vast majority of cases). I'd say it had to be better.

[Lulu]

A dr told me once that it goes in and out of your body fairly quickly....

[Michelle71]

I would be interested to know if the effects of pot were worse for the baby than say, peth/epidural etc...

I was thinking the same - would a joint be *safer* for the baby than pethidine I can see the theoretical use and the potential benefits. I wouldn't suggest someone try it for the first time at such an intense moment (that could make things really weird ) but if it had a relaxing effect in the past and they were unable to achieve that mental release through other means then hmmmmm .................... A very interesting question. I think I'd like your dinner parties with that sort of conversation

[Arimeh]

An epidural doesn't alter brain chemistry or give hallucinations (in the vast majority of cases). I'd say it had to be better.

Umm not everyone has hallucinations - apparently its a common misconception that this happens when you smoke pot (maybe weed laced with LOTS of chemicals and other nasties) what I am talking about is something like bush - no other chemicals added to it, in its natural form ya know?

[Bathsheba]

Very interesting.... I'm a bit mentally exhausted from injecting a lot of energy into another post... but here goes:

Firstly I have used cannabis... fairly regularly before I had children... none since.

Secondly what you have said does make sense... scientifically. However if I was to use it I wouldn't use the same amount as I used recreationally.... and I wouldn't smoke it... maybe ingest instead... to limit the effect on the baby.

Thirdly regarding risks. If it was supervised by a trained carer then i would think that it would be no more harmful than pethidine or any other synthetic induction chemical (eg syncotin) which are also not without risk. Just because it's an illegal drug doesn't mean that it's more risky than legal medications if taken incorrectly.

Fourthly... Personally I also didn't like what cannabis did to my mental state... it made me feel vulnerable... out of control in a similar way to stronger doses of pethidine. Incidentally i have also taken pethidine recreationally and in small doses I actually liked the mental state it put me in. So... maybe both chemicals in high doses would make me feel crappy... I do tend to be quite sensitive to all medications I have ever been prescribed come to think of it.

I would like to see it tested more thoroughly. Cannabis, like the opiates, i think have a place in medicine. Not sure if labour is a good place... but I agree that, despite it's current status as an illegal drug, it should be viewed on par as any other pain killer and at least explored. Who knows... it could work for some women and even prove (under medical guidance) to be less risky than current chemical interventions/pain relief in labour.

ETA: I didn't have hallucination when using cannabis. My vision was altered... things seemed brighter, and kind of twinkled but i didn't see things that weren't there so to speak.

[Arimeh]

I think I'd like your dinner parties with that sort of conversation

PMSL.. well this started between me and DH in the car on the way to our friends place actually.. LOL

But hell, you can come for dinner anyway

ETA: Bath - I love your post. I really do.

[Bathsheba]

Ta Mel i forgot to mention that i also used nitrous oxide (laughing gas) recreationally before having children LOL a cheap thrill... didn't make me laugh though... but it was fun. So when I was in my first labour I thought: "Yes! I'll have some of that!" But conversely (is that the right word?) it was AWFUL in labour! Hated it! Because it stopped me from getting to the right mental place. The whole POINT of doing nitrous when I was chilling out with friends at home was to have a bit of escapism... that is NOT what you really want to do in labour. Personally in labour i want to do the opposite... to connect with my body and focus my thoughts. This is why a strong dose of peth didn't work either. But like I said.... maybe a little bit would be different... and a little bit of cannabis might do the trick... not enough to spin you out...not a whole joint...maybe just nibble a small dried leaf... just enough to reduce anxiety. Interesting.

[Lulu]

packets of Twisties always seem more sparkly.....