Midwives Brew – Is It a Safe Way to Induce Labour?

Nine months of pregnancy are a beautiful time for every-to-be mother. Though, as the delivery time approaches, it feels like a lifetime for expecting mothers, sometimes even the estimated delivery date given by the doctor approaches or passes, and the baby seems not to be budging. The expecting mother also starts to feel uncomfortable as the delivery date passes. A few more delays in delivery seem highly daunting, which makes the expecting mother start searching for ways to induce labour. There are many ways to bring about labour, and one of the most popular, natural and safe methods to induce labour is Midwives Brew. Since there are several speculations revolving around the midwives brew, it is essential to learn about its safety and efficacy before you try it at home.

What Is Midwives Brew?

Midwives brew is a natural method to induce labour. It is a brew made of natural ingredients that brings about quicker natural induction of labour. A few times, pregnant women, even after the completion of their full pregnancy term, face a delay in deliveries, so, to induce labour in such circumstances, midwives would make a brew and give it to the pregnant woman. After drinking it, pregnant women would get labour pains within some time and have the delivery. Midwives brew is said to have originated in Europe and spread to other parts of the world. It is one of the most popular and trusted methods of midwives to bring about quicker labour.

Over the years, midwives brew success stories have made it popular for the induction of labour, especially for home deliveries. The Midwives Brew is made with natural ingredients and used by many women and midwives to bring on labour. This brew can be made within minutes and consumed by the pregnant woman anytime she prefers. Though it is safe as it is made with natural ingredients, pregnant women shouldn’t consume it before getting approval from their medical practitioner or Midwife.

What Is the Use of Midwives Brew?

Midwives Brew is a natural remedy that some women use to help induce labour. It is a concoction made from four ingredients: fresh lemon juice, almond butter, honey, and small amounts of castor oil. The mixture is believed to stimulate contractions by causing the uterus to contract and helping to ripen the cervix.

Some midwives and natural birth advocates suggest drinking midwives brew may help jump-start labour when a woman is past her due date or must be induced for medical reasons. However, it’s important to note that the safety and effectiveness of this method have not been scientifically proven. Additionally, castor oil in midwives brew may cause diarrhoea, dehydration, and other side effects, harming both the mother and baby.

It’s always recommended that women consult with their healthcare provider before trying any natural remedies to induce labour, including midwives brew. There are several other natural methods that women can try to stimulate labour if they are past their due date or their healthcare provider has recommended induction for medical reasons.

Is Midwives Brew Really Effective in Inducing Labour?

The effectiveness of midwives brew in inducing labour is not scientifically proven. While some women may swear by it, there is no reliable evidence supporting its use.

The ingredients in Midwives Brew, such as castor oil and spicy foods, are believed to stimulate the uterus and help ripen the cervix, potentially leading to contractions and labour. However, there are potential risks associated with using castor oil to induce labour, including dehydration, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Additionally, spicy foods may cause heartburn or an upset stomach.

A 2000 study published in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine involving 103 women who were at least 40 weeks pregnant found that nearly 60% of those who took castor oil went into active labour within 24 hours. Among them, over 80% delivered vaginally (1). However, later research published in 2009 in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology was less convincing, suggesting castor oil may not significantly help or harm labour progression (2).

A recent 2013 review of available studies in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews noted that while castor oil might have some effect, the research quality wasn’t strong enough to draw firm conclusions. One consistent finding, though, was that many women experienced nausea after taking it (3).

In short, there still isn’t enough high-quality evidence to confidently recommend castor oil as a reliable labor-inducing method. More thorough research is needed to fully understand its safety and effectiveness.

It’s important to note that inducing labour before it’s necessary can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and baby, including fetal distress, cesarean delivery, and postpartum haemorrhage. Therefore, healthcare providers generally recommend that women avoid trying to induce labour at home unless it is medically necessary.

It’s always important for women to talk to their healthcare provider before trying any natural or home remedies to induce labour. They can provide guidance on the safest and most effective methods for their individual situation.

What Does It Consist Of?

A midwives brew is made by using all-natural ingredients. There are many different recipes available across the world, though most of them use similar ingredients in different combinations. The most commonly used midwives brew ingredients are:

• Castor oil is the main ingredient of Midwives brew. Commonly used as a laxative for cervical ripening and labour induction, it causes spasms in uterine muscles, which leads to contractions and then to labour (4).
• Almond butter is used to add more fat and oil to the brew to help with the spasms.
• Lemon verbena tea is used mainly to mask the overpowering taste of castor oil. It also works as a sedative, so it can be useful to calm the expectant mother during labour.
• Apricot juice is used for its taste. As it has a good amount of vitamins and minerals, it is good for health too.

Do remember that midwives brew should be used in consultation with your midwife or OB. Though in many places they might not have heard of it, or may call it something different. So, follow their directions and use the recipe they suggest.

Is It Safe to Take Midwives Brew?

If you have been asking yourself the question, ‘Is midwives brew safe?’, then allow us to tell you the truth!

When you are between 39 and 40 weeks pregnant and think about trying this natural labour induction approach, ensure your due date has arrived. 

It depends on the chemicals utilised, even though a few studies do not suggest substantial adverse effects for the mother or infant. Ensure to drink plenty of water while preparing all recipes to prevent dehydration.

How Long Does It Take to Work?

The time taken by Midwives brew to start working can be from a few hours to 24 hours. There is no exact time frame for it to start showing effects. It depends on the pregnant woman’s body and can differ from one woman to another. Few had contraction within 4 to 5 hours of drinking the brew, while a few have gone into labour in 24 hours of drinking the midwives brew. Though the timeframe for the Midwives brew to show effects varies, if you are considering a home delivery, then have your midwife available with you after you drink the brew. In case you are going for a hospital delivery, be ready and prepared to go to the hospital as soon as contractions start.

When Is the Right Time to Take Midwives Brew?

Though it is understandable that you are impatient to see your little baby and want the delivery to be as soon as possible, you should be patient and wait for the complete pregnancy tenure to be over for your child’s birth. Not completing the pregnancy term or pre-term delivery will result in a premature baby, which may have health issues. So, for the safety of yourself and your baby, you should wait till at least 40 weeks of pregnancy or till your pregnancy date has passed.  Your body also takes time to prepare for labour and might not be prepared for premature labour. If your body is not ready for labour, it would stress both you and your baby and may lead to a caesarean section rather than a  natural delivery. So wait for your term to be completed, and if you don’t start dilating, go for the Midwives brew with your doctor’s or midwife’s approval.  It is not advisable to go for midwives brew at 36 weeks. Though in a few cases the doctors may advise early labour, then with their approval you can go for Midwives brew before the completion of your term.

The best time to drink the midwives brew is early morning on an empty stomach. It takes a few minutes to prepare, so either take it at room temperature or slightly warm. There is no harm in adding ice and having it cold, as some women find the taste tolerable after adding ice. Make sure to drink it within 30 minutes of making it for the best results.

Risks and Side Effects of Midwives Brew

Though the Midwives Brew is made of natural ingredients, it might have certain reactions for certain women. So it’s best to know possible risks as well as midwives brew side effects in advance:

• Nausea and Vomiting- Castor oil has a strong taste, which is not liked by many. So it might make you feel nauseated or cause vomiting (5).
• Dizziness- Castor oil can also cause dizziness in some women, so don’t be alone after drinking this brew.
• Diarrhoea and Dehydration- Castor oil is a popular laxative, so it can cause diarrhoea. Diarrhoea causes loss of fluids, making you feel dehydrated. So, drink lots of water or fluids to replenish your body.
• Fatigue- One can feel tired or sluggish after taking the brew, as it has Lemon Verbena tea. So, rest if you feel tired.
• Irregular contractions- Castor oil causes spasms in the uterine muscles, leading to contractions. Sometimes, the contractions can be irregular and cause extra pain.
• Dangerous for baby- Don’t take this brew before completing the full pregnancy term. Castor oil can be dangerous for the baby, so if consuming this brew before completing a full pregnancy, do so with the advice of your doctor.
• Allergy to almonds- Some people have an allergy to almonds. So if you are allergic to almonds, either don’t take this brew or substitute the almond butter with some other ingredient. In case you are not sure about being allergic to almonds, ask the doctor to do an allergy test.
• Allergy to apricot- Though highly uncommon, a few people do have an allergy to apricot. So, substitute it with some other juice in case you have an apricot allergy.

Midwives Brew Recipes

There are many different ways for how to make midwives brew. Though most recipes are almost the same with slight variations. Find below the most popular recipes of midwives brew.

Note: Always consult your doctor or midwife before trying any natural induction method.

1. Classic Midwives Brew (Traditional)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons castor oil
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 cup brewed lemon verbena tea (250 ml)
• 1 cup apricot juice (300 ml)

Method:

1. Take a pan and boil water.
2. Take a cup and pour the boiling water into it. Leave the verbena tea bag in the cup for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, take out the teabag.
3. Now, take a blender and blend the other ingredients: castor oil, apricot juice and almond butter with the verbena tea in it.
4. The blended paste should be smooth.

Substitutes

You may not find all the ingredients, or you may be allergic to any ingredient. So instead of those ingredients, you can use other substitutes to make the midwives brew. The substitutes are:

• Lemon Verbena Tea- In case you don’t get lemon verbena tea, you can use mango nectar.
• Apricot juice- You can use pineapple juice if you want to make the midwives brew without apricot juice.

2. Gentle Hydration Blend (Lower Castor Oil Version)

This midwives brew recipe is often chosen by women who want to try a milder approach.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 cup apple or apricot juice
• 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter
• 1 cup warm herbal tea (any pregnancy-safe variety like raspberry leaf tea)

Method:

1. Make a pregnancy-safe herbal tea of your choice. You can take help from here: Pregnancy-Safe Herbal Teas (6).
2. In a blender, add castor oil, a fruit juice, herbal tea, and nut butter of your choice.
3. Blend everything nicely.
4. Your brew is ready!

3. Castor Oil-Free Digestive Support Brew

This brew avoids castor oil entirely. While it may not induce labour directly, red raspberry leaf tea is sometimes used to tone the uterus in late pregnancy for labour (7). The focus here is on supporting the body naturally rather than forcefully stimulating contractions.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apricot juice
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 cup red raspberry leaf tea
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method:

1. Brew a cup of red raspberry leaf tea. Let it cool down.
2. In a blender, add all the ingredients and blend everything nicely until you get a smooth paste-like consistency.
3. Your Castor oil-free midwives brew is ready!

4. Midwives Brew Smoothie

No worries if the traditional midwives brew is not making you feel good. You can try this smoothie-style midwives brew.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons castor oil
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup apricot juice
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. In a blender, add the ingredients at once: castor oil, banana, almond butter, and apricot juice. Ice cubes are optional.
2. Blend everything nicely, and you’ll get a midwives brew smoothie.

What Are the Alternatives to Midwives Brew to Induce Labour?

There are several alternatives to the midwives brew method for inducing labour naturally. Some of these methods include (8):

• Exercise: Gentle exercises such as walking, yoga, or swimming can help stimulate contractions and promote labour.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate labour.
• Nipple Stimulation: Nipple stimulation is another natural way to stimulate contractions. This is done by gently rubbing or rolling the nipples to release oxytocin, a hormone that can cause contractions.
• Sex: Sexual intercourse can help to soften and ripen the cervix, and the prostaglandins in semen can stimulate contractions.
• Spicy Foods: Eating spicy foods can sometimes stimulate the digestive system, leading to uterine contractions.
• Evening Primrose Oil: Evening primrose oil can help soften the cervix, making it easier for labour to start.
• Castor Oil: Castor oil is a traditional remedy that can stimulate the bowels and uterus, which can help to induce labour.
• Raspberry leaf tea: Raspberry leaf tea is believed to help tone the uterus and prepare it for labour. It is recommended that women drink one to three cups of raspberry leaf tea per day from 32 weeks of pregnancy onwards.

It’s important to know whether midwives brew is safe in your case. One must note that while these methods may help to induce labour, they should only be used after consulting with a healthcare provider. If you are considering taking midwives brew at 36, 37 and 38 weeks, it’s best to get a go-ahead from your doctor in advance. It’s also important to have a safe and healthy delivery plan, whether natural or assisted by medical interventions.

FAQs

1. What does the midwives brew do?

Midwives Brew is a traditional drink that is consumed by women who have reached full term and are hoping to naturally encourage labour. Many people believe that combining specific ingredients may stimulate bowel activity, which can indirectly trigger uterine contractions. The idea is that these physical responses may help nudge the body into starting labour.

2. What is the success rate of Midwives Brew?

There isn’t a clear success rate of using midwives brew to induce labour. Results vary widely depending on factors such as how close someone is to their due date, whether the cervix has started softening, and overall maternal health. Since most evidence is anecdotal, it’s difficult to assign a reliable percentage to its effectiveness. Thus, it is highly important that you consult your doctor before trying any home remedy for inducing labour.

3. Can midwives brew work without castor oil?

Even when castor oil is included, most reports about midwives brew working are based on personal experiences rather than solid medical research. Some women say it helped move things along, while others noticed no change at all. Without castor oil, it’s even harder to predict results as it is the main thing that helps induce labour. The remaining ingredients may support digestion or hydration, but there isn’t strong scientific proof that they can start labour on their own.

4. Can I use peanut butter instead of almond butter in midwives brew?

Yes, you can use peanut butter in place of almond butter if needed. The nut butter is mainly included to improve taste and texture, making the drink easier to consume. Make sure you are not allergic to peanut butter or any other nut butter alternative.

5. What should you do if midwives brew doesn’t work?

If your labour doesn’t begin after trying midwives brew, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider. They can assess both mother and baby to ensure everything is progressing safely and discuss medically supervised options if induction becomes necessary.

The last days of your pregnancy may feel longer than months, and you may feel overwhelmed with the temptation to see your little baby. Still, it is advisable to wait for the completion of the pregnancy term before going for the midwives brew to accelerate your labour. It is safe and natural; however, your body might not be ready for delivery, so patience is the key to successful delivery and a healthy baby. Enjoy your days of pregnancy and take your doctor’s advice to take Midwives brew.

Also Read:

Does Tea Help for Inducing Labour
Are Dates Helpful to Induce Labour
Foods That Will Help You to Induce Labour Naturally

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.

Sources References

1. National Library of Medicine – Use of castor oil in pregnancies at term

2. National Library of Medicine – Castor oil for induction of labour: not harmful, not helpful

3. National Library of Medicine – Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour

4. National Library of Medicine – Effect of Castor Oil on Cervical Ripening and Labor Induction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

5. National Library of Medicine – Effect and Safety of Castor Oil on Labor Induction and Prevalence of Vaginal Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

6. American Pregnancy Association – Herbal Tea & Pregnancy

7. Nebraska Medicine – Natural methods of inducing labor

8. Tommy’s – Can anything bring labour on?