With my first pregnancy, I’m pretty sure I had my bag packed and birth plan written, printed, and in a folder with snacks for the nurses by the time I hit 20 weeks.
When I’m in labor, I don’t typically want anyone or anything and just want to be left alone, but once the baby is born I am tired, hungry and thirsty, so I like to be prepared for that.
With my fourth pregnancy, I discovered a pre-made tincture that my midwife recommended which greatly helped with the after-pains.
My after birth tincture contains:– Chamomile– for relaxation and taste– Ginger– to help settle my stomachCramp Bark Herb–one of the tincture's folk-remedy components for cramping– Yarrow– For relaxation and to ease cramping– Motherwort– Said to promote relaxation and ease muscle tightening
After Birth Tincture Ingredients– 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers– 1/4 cup fresh minced ginger root– 2 Tablespoons cramp bark herb– 1 Tablespoon yarrow flowers– 1 teaspoon dried motherwort-- 2 cups vodka or rum– quart size glass jar
How to Make After Birth Tincture1. Place the herbs in bottom of the quart size jar.2. Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs.
3. Pour the rum or vodka (or other food grade alcohol at least 80 proof) into the jar.4. Tightly place the lid on the jar. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months.
5. Strain through cheesecloth and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in dark colored dropper bottles or clean glass jars.