This tincture is only for use during the third stage of childbirth, after the baby has been safely born.

The No Bleed Tincture is a blend of herbs traditionally used to curb excessive post-partum bleeding.

It contains herbal extracts of:

Nettle (Urtica dioica folia) – this cleansing, nutritious herb also has shown styptic (haemostatic) actions which may make it useful to moderating uterine bleeding

Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) – this herb has shown anti-haemorrhagic and styptic actions and has been used as a uterine anti-haemorrhagic.

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) – this astringent herb has shown anti-haemorrhagic action and is has been used for reducing heavy uterine bleeding.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) – well-known for its usefulness in eradicating intestinal worms, the astringent properties of the tannins also reduce diarrhoea and excessive menstrual or post-partum bleeding. Studies indicate Pomegranate may enhance uterine smooth muscle contractions and reduce risk of PPH.

Adhatoda (Adhatoda vasica) – has shown oxytocic actions, has been used for post-partum haemorrhage. This herb originates from India where it us used for a wide range of health benefits.

The minimum dose is 5 ml


Add to a little water or juice and drink.


You may increase the dose to 10 mls if you feel it is warranted (if bleeding does not lessen).

Wait a few minutes and if there is still no cessation of bleeding, then have another 10 mls.

SUGGESTED USE FOR HERBAL TINCTURES:

This is the usual order you would use the herbal tinctures:

1. Gentle Prep Tincture - during the last month of pregnancy

2. Birth Boost Tincture - during labour, when tired or discouraged, particularly in the case of a long or challenging labour. Often used as a last resort before Syntocinon  (this is assuming everything else such as rest, food, positioning, making space in the pelvis techniques, rebozo, Spinning Babies, immersion in deep water etc has all been tried.)

3. Placenta Release Tincture - usually used sometime after 30 minutes following the birth of the baby. I would normally wait at least an hour for a physiological third stage. (This is the case of a spontaneous, not-induced, not-augmented, non-medicated labour. If intervention was required, usually herbal tinctures would not be appropriate during third stage. Augmentation during labour generally requires use of Syntocinon (synthetic oxytocin) for third stage.)

4. No Bleed Tincture - good to have at hand, but often not used at all. Use during third stage if at any point bleeding becomes a concern, either before or after the birth of the placenta. (Yes, it is OK to take this tincture if bleeding seems fine but you're just feeling nervous because you had a big bleed last time.) NOTE: if you are dealing with more than just slightly excessive bleeding that you'd like to see moderated - and you have an actual PPH on your hands, don't bother with tinctures - go straight to appropriate emergency care. Emergency care should not be delayed by faffing around with tinctures, in such a situation.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TINCTURES ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR APPROPRIATE THIRD STAGE CARE AND IT IS ASSUMED STRATEGIES FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES ARE IN PLACE.

5. After Pain-ease Tincture - for use after the release of the placenta, usually during the first 3-5 days after to birth, to take the edge of after-pains. I suggest a dose just before you put baby to the breast.

NOTES:

1. Herbs are no replacement for safe third stage care. The basic essentials to promote the peak flow of endogenous birth hormones for a safe third stage (separation and expulsion of the placenta, involution of the uterus, moderation of bleeding, initiation of breastfeeding) are:

- Privacy

- Warmth

- Dim lighting

- Peace and quiet, soft voices, no bustling, interruptions or disturbance.

- No separation of mother and baby - baby lying on mother for uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, mother and baby both topless.

- "No hatting, no patting, no chatting, no texting" - Carla Hartley's maxim for preserving the "Golden Hour"; it means don't put a hat on the baby so mother may smell the pheromones; no one other than the parents touching the baby; no one but the parents speaking in the room, other than vital questions and instructions - what she means is avoid all but absolutely necessary work chatter; the birth isn't over yet so don't be whipping out devices and getting stuck into messaging etc - wait til after the placenta is safely released, bleeding is moderated and baby is boobing: THEN it's time to make the joyful announcements. This is vital for protecting the hormones mothers need so they *can* release their placenta and so that bleeding is kept to a safe minimum.

- Breast-crawl - baby-led initiation of breastfeeding, while understanding that some babies won't do this right away, they just want to BE there and that is just fine. They'll start rooting when they're good and ready.

- In this article, Dr. Rachel Reed also mentions the following vital factors of a safe physiological third stage:

* No fiddling: No feeling the fundus (uterus). No clamping, cutting or pulling on the umbilical cord. No clinical observations or ‘busying’ around the room.

* No stress and fear: Those in the room must be relaxed. The midwife needs to be comfortable with waiting and have patience. The mother must not be stressed as adrenaline inhibits oxytocin release.

* No prescribed time-frames: Many hospital policies require intervention within half an hour if the placenta has not birthed. This is not helpful and generates anxiety which is counter-productive.

* Keep the bladder empty, during labour and afterwards. A full bladder can affect uterine contractions. If the mother is having trouble easily releasing urine, shake a few drops of therapeutic-grade Peppermint essential oils into the toilet bowl. This will reduce capillary engorgement and allow her to wee (and avoid the need for an in-out catheter). More about essential oils HERE

2. Ideally, you need care providers who are comfortable with normal spontaneous physiological labour, birth and third stage. If the basic essentials for promoting natural birth are beyond their usual practice and policies, you may face issues introducing herbal tinctures into the mix. If the pregnancy, labour and birth was already highly medicalised and actively managed, it is not appropriate to use herbs during third stage - the cascade of intervention has already begun. This is well explained in Dr Reed's article above.

3. It is necessary that you take personal responsibility for using herbal tinctures at birth. If you are in a model of care that strongly encourages birthing women to take personal responsibility and exercise bodily autonomy, because this is seen as optimal for clinical safety, you are likely to find that any herbs, homeopathics or essential oils you wish to use will be respected and encouraged. It is usually not the same in models of care when compliance and the handing over of responsibility to "experts" is the way they like things done. So before you invest financially in the tinctures, consider the model of care you have chosen for your birth. I would not like to see you facing frustration because your chosen care providers are leery of alternatives outside of the norms of allopathic medicine and obstetric convention.

Disclaimer: This information is based on empirical and traditional herbal medicine. It is of a general informational nature and does not constitute medical advice and makes no therapeutic claims. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. Any health condition should be referred to your chosen health care practitioner. Check with your health care practitioner before commencing to use any herbal product, and be aware of any personal and family allergies. This tincture is NOT meant to be a replacement for safe, appropriate third stage care. It is assumed that medical support will be at hand and all contingencies will be in place.

References:

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Capsella bursa pastoris on Early Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Clinical Trial Study

Adhatoda vasica

An actively managed placental birth might be the best option for most women

Herbal Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage by Erika Obert

Herbs for Mother’s Care Postpartum

Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

Trillium erectus: Bethroot

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