Natural Abortion: Inducing Miscarriage with Herbs

Many women who do not desire to be pregnant chose to naturally induce an abortion. This enables them to keep the procedure private, which may be desirable to those whose families would not support the choice or to those who live where abortion is illegal. Natural abortion is usually much less expensive and carries fewer risks to the mother. It does have a higher failure rate, working only about 50% of the time, but usually the fetus is not harmed. Natural abortion methods are for use in the first trimester. After that, they are unlikely to produce any results. It is best to begin as early as possible. The goal of these methods is to stimulate a natural miscarriage. They have been used for centuries to terminate unwanted pregnancy.

Certain pre-existing conditions can be a contraindication to herbal induction of miscarriage. If you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, or problems with your liver, heart, or kidney, these herbs may cause those conditions to become more severe. If you are on birth control or any other drugs, you should make sure that these herbs will not counteract with those medications. It is also not recommended that you attempt a natural abortion if you have an IUD, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or fibroids.

You may want to begin by taking small doses of mild herbs for a few days. Vitamin C, pineapple, and parsley can help prepare your body for the abortion. You can take vitamin C capsules with parsley tea and a side of pineapple slices, for example. Do this twice a day for a few days before starting the more powerful herbs. You can also try evening primrose oil on the cervix or capsules by mouth. This gives your body and mind time to prepare and provides you with a few days to think it over, to be certain this is what you truly desire.

Angelica/Dong Quai helps relax the uterus, can stimulate delayed menstruation, and stimulate contractions. For a tincture, drink 5-15 drops in a cup of warm water every 4 hours. You may add honey or other sweetener. For capsules, take 1000 mg every 4 hours. Do not exceed this dosage! This herb can increase bleeding, so those who have heavy periods or take blood thinners should not use it.

Black Cohosh is usually taken together with Blue Cohosh or Angelica/Dong Quai. Used to ripen the cervix before birth, it helps to prepare the cervix for abortion as well. Tinctures and capsules can be purchased easily. For tinctures, take 1/4-1 tsp. 3-4 times a day. For capsules, doses should be between 500 and 1000 mg every four hours. As it can lower your heart rate, don't take it if you have heart disease. Don't use it with anti-depressants or if you are not supposed to take oral contraceptives. There are some side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness and headaches, diarrhea, and shakiness. Black Cohosh by itself will not induce an abortion.

Blue Cohosh helps tone the uterus, can ease labor pains, and even induce labor. It is best used in combination with Black Cohosh and Pennyroyal. Dosage should be the same as with Black Cohosh. They are often sold side by side in stores. It can lower your blood pressure and cause headache, nausea and vomiting, and pain in the limbs. If you are sensitive to estrogen, don't take it.

Pennyroyal is one of the more effective herbs for inducing abortion. It can also act as a powerful poison and should be taken with great care. Never use the essential oil internally, as it is deadly. For a tincture, take 20-60 drops (1/4 to 1 tsp) every 3-4 hours. You may also take 3-8 size #0 capsules of pennyroyal every 3-4 hours. Do not increase the dosage. Most women who use pennyroyal experience nausea. You may also feel numb, dizzy, or sweaty. If you have kidney problems, don't use it.

You may decide to use black and blue cohosh, black cohosh and angelica, blue cohosh and pennyroyal, or all together. You can use tinctures and capsules together, just match the doses. Some do black and blue cohosh while drinking pennyroyal or angelica tea. It is not recommended that you combine all four herbs in full strength. If you decide to take capsules or tinctures of all together, it is advisable to cut back the doses. The best thing to do is use two together in full strength with lesser doses of the others, such as in teas. Remember that smaller persons will need smaller doses than larger persons.

Taking the herbs at intervals throughout the night, as well as the day, will increase chances of success. Many recommend exercising or taking a hot bath to help stimulate the miscarriage. Sex, nipple stimulation, and orgasm can also help. In fact, most methods used to help bring on and strengthen labor will help with inducing abortion once herbs are taken.

Mild cramping is not unusual and often precedes a miscarriage. Spotting is a sign that you are close to succeeding. Bleeding usually begins within a few days but can take up to two weeks. Strengthening your doses may help, especially if spotting has already begun. Discontinue use of herbs after 2-3 weeks if miscarriage has not taken place. If the abortion does fail, you should seek a surgical abortion soon.

You should see a doctor before attempting abortion to confirm pregnancy and estimate gestation. It is recommended that you take these herbs under the supervision of a care provider such as an herbalist. If you succeed in aborting, you should check in with your doctor to ensure that the miscarriage was complete. He may wish to perform a D&C to make sure your uterus is empty.

When recovering, take it easy. Don't overexert yourself, and limit your activity. Don't put anything into your vagina for a few weeks. Avoid baths, pools, and other things that could introduce bacteria to your vagina. Watch yourself for signs of problems, such as a fever. Remember that it is okay to bleed for as much as three weeks, but you should not be soaking several menstrual pads in a day. Your period may come back within a few weeks, and it could take more than two months. See your doctor if you have any concerns.

If you develop a headache, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or have a stomach ache, you should stop taking the herbs. If you experience sharp or intense pain, hemorrhage (severe or prolonged bleeding), or a fever of 102 degrees or more, please go to the ER. Soaking a menstrual pad in less than 2 hours is not normal.

Regardless of my opinion on abortion, I feel that women should have the choice and access to this information. Do with it what you will, but do so at your own risk. Please be intelligent and safe, and do further research than simply reading this article. Make sure this is what you really wish to do. Do consult with a care provider before and after. If you have any worries at all while using these herbs, do not hesitate to seek health care. As long as you note the contraindications and avoid high doses, attempting natural abortion should be safe. Remember, though, that it does not always work and does not come without risks.