Here are instructions to prepare herbs for birth. There are a variety of herbs to choose, and ways to prepare them. Here are some. Ginger Root soothes the perineum during pushing, and helps it stretch. Comfrey Root soothes the perineum after birth and reduces swelling.

I use two big pots and get the comfrey and the ginger going at the same time, each in their own pot.

Set out pots

• 1 ½ quart pan with cover for the ginger
• A crock pot for the ginger, for after its boiled, to take to the birth place and dip washcloths in
• 6 wash cloths
• 2 to 4 quart pan (spaghetti noodle cooking size is best) with lid, for the comfrey
• 1-2 packages of cheese cloth and a scissor to cut it with in to squares
• A 2 quart pitcher or bottle for the liquid comfrey. Keep it in the fridge
• 1 or 2 empty, soft, squirt bottles (peri bottle) - for rinsing perineum after birth. You'll fill half way with the comfrey liquid that you keep in the fridge.

Preparing Ginger Compresses

1.    Wash and peel about 1 cup of fresh ginger, grated or finely chop it.
2.    Cut a piece of cheesecloth the size of a hankie and place ginger in the middle.
3.    Bring the corners together and tie with string loosely into a ‘hobo bundle’.
4.    Place in a ziploc bag in the freezer door where we can find them. Or take out in early labor and defrost on the kitchen counter.
5.    Boil ginger bundles in 1 ½ - 2 qts of water for 20-30 minutes. Let cool on the stove until needed.

When close to pushing, you or your midwives will heat the ginger in the crockpot.  Dipping a washcloth in the hot ginger water makes a perineal compress. The ginger helps your tissues to stretch. It smells good, too. The warmth is nice to push against.

Ginger

Ginger compresses for use during pushing, or for low back pain

1 piece of fresh ginger root about the size of your hand is grated with a food grater and wrapped in cheese cloth bundles. Freeze the bundles in a baggie or container in the door of your freezer until labor begins.

Then, in active labor, bring the ginger to an active boil for no longer than 20 minutes. Cool somewhat, but use hot. Pour into a crock pot if you have one. Put the crock pot on a folded towel on the floor near the birth site, and an outlet, and plug in the crock pot and set the dial to warm or medium. Watch it and don't let the ginger get too hot to handle when you need it, but don't let it cool off, either.

Dip washcloth in the ginger "tea" and wring out. Use a tongs to avoid burns. Place folded ginger compress (wet washcloth) on the lower abdomen or lower back during dilation. And use a clean washcloth with ginger tea on the perineum during pushing, but before the head is emerging. The ginger is too stimulating for the baby's scalp. Stop using the ginger when the baby begins to emerge. But you can use very warm water on a fresh washcloth if you find it useful for pushing and modesty (in a hospital). 

Preparing Herbs for Sitz Bath and Perineal Compresses

1.    In hankie-size cheesecloth or open 4x4, tie 3-4 tablespoons comfrey root very loosely.
2.    Boil 2 quarts of water in the biggest pot you have.
3.    When water comes to a boil add comfrey root herb tied in cheese cloth, simmer for 30-60 minutes.
4.    Let sitz bath cool.  Don’t throw comfrey root away.
5.    Store sitz bath in the refrigerator.
6.    Open up 2 gauze 4x4 pads and place one on top of the other.
7.    Open cooked comfrey bundle and place two generous tablespoons of herbs in the middle of the pads.
8.    Fold up into a little burrito shape. Don’t tape or sew, simply wet with comfrey liquid and freeze.
9.    Place in freezer separating pads between layers of plastic wrap, or freeze without letting the pads touch and repack after freezing so they don’t freeze together. You will love these on your bottom after the birth.
10.    After the birth, fill your peri-bottle ½ full with cold liquid, in bathroom add hot water just before use. Use some of this liquid in the bathtub or sitz bath bowl for sitz baths.

If you have time in early labor you may find preparing the herbs relaxing and perhaps a nice distracting activity. They should not be prepared too far ahead of time as the sitz bath will only last a week in the fridge. Optionally, your homebirth midwives will be happy to prepare herbs. If you are having a hospital birth, your doula may be able to help with herb preparation in your home before you go in to the hospital. Transport the comfrey cold and reheat for use by adding hot water from the tap into a half full peri-bottle.

Comfrey

Comfrey compresses to be used after the birth on the perineum

2 oz. comfrey root, looks like gravel, not powder, not leaves

1 package of cotton cheesecloth, see the canning dept of grocery
Other herbs optional, see separate list.

Put out a kitchen shears, or strong, sharp scissors for cheese cloth

These photos illustrate the preparation of comfrey compresses. Wrap the dried comfrey root very loosely in cheese cloth bundles to make clean up a snap. Boil 20-30 minutes. Cool the comfrey enough to handle.

Then, open the bundles and spoon the soggy comfrey root into 6-inch squares (hanky sized) of cheese cloth or use unwrapped cotton 4 x 4 gauze pads from the drug store.

Fold like folding burritos. Place a dozen or so on a plate, tray or cake pan and cover.

Freeze or refrigerate as you wish. Use cold on the perineum after the birth. Change after each toilet use until gone.

Put the comfrey liquid into a couple quart jars or a pitcher when it cools down. This can be put in the peri-bottle for use to rinse after urinating.   Remake more comfrey compresses if a tear continues to need the soothing and healing properties of comfrey root.