Labor Assists

Alhamdulillah, may Allaah make your baby righteous, and a blessing for you and your husband, Ameen.

You're right, alhamdulillah, about it being in the hands of Allaah. I find that many people get impatient when their "official" due date passes- we forget that this is from the aspects of the unseen, and only Allaah knows when that baby will be born, mash'Allaah. I think sometimes the "tricks" to get labor started seem to work simply because the mother feels like she is at least doing something, mash'Allaah. It is also good to remember, though, that Allaah has given us herbs and such that do benefit us in various ways- they simply do so through His Will.

Concerning our impatience to get our babies born- Imaam Maalik is authentically reported to have related that his mother was pregnant with him for three years!!

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatullah

So funny- I love the image of you by your sister's bedside being so "helpful"! (SMILE)

The great honey debate. It is recommended that you not give honey to babies under the age of two- some people say one- year old. I was talking about the mother. That being said, though, I personally use it (good quality, pure honey, of course)  for the babies as well, just like I still would use comfrey internally except under certain conditions. I don't recommend it to others, though, mash'Allaah, especially if they are not comfortable with it.

Foot soaks are great for pregnant women as well as those who have recently given birth. As for the herbs to use, there are so many different nice combinations. Michael Tierra, a well-known herbalist, says that when people ask him what herb to use for something, he says, "Any herb." This reminded me of what Ibn Qayyim says about belief in the remedy being a big part of the remedy being effective- or more specifically, belief that Allaah will assist the one who using the herb. Alhamdulillah- it happens so often that people nowadays come up with something that the Muslims knew and believed all along!!

I have found that water- in a bath or in a shower- during labor can provide some relief, insh'Allaah, for some people. As for the water birth, I believe that is usually done to ease the baby's entrance into the world- but I figure they have to come out of the water eventually, so you're delaying the inevitable, mash'Allaah.

If you are thinking of doing it, definitely read up and talk to your labor assistants about it, and Allaah knows best

I agree with this- walking often makes a huge difference, mash'Allaah.

Yes, it's fine to share the labor stories, insh'Allaah.

Alhamdulillah...if there were easy herbal ways to lose weight there wouldn't be so many overweight people in the world (SMILE). The best way is to eat moderately and in a healthy manner, and to exercise consistently, in my opinion, mash'Allaah. I have exercised regularly since I was 14 years old, so it is simply a part of my life, alhamdulillah. I don't have any equipment, don't use exercise videos (which most scholars say are impermissible for various reasons) and don't go to the gym. I do have a set of hand weights and a jump rope. I do about an hour a day, with stretching, aerobics, and weight training all included, alhamdulillah. Walking is great as well- my husband and I go for a walk every day when possible, alhamdulillah.

Alhamdulillah, and may His praise and salutations be upon His final messenger and prophet, Muhammad.

Mash'Allaah, this is a very important issue, and I am willing to allow discussion of it here. However, I DO want to point out that many of the major scholars, including Sheikh Bin Baaz, may Allaah have mercy upon him, have issued rulings saying that vaccinations are permissible for a number of reasons. So, let's start with that as the baseline, and then we can go on to discuss, as you did in a thoughtful and thorough manner, our personal decision whether to vaccinate or not.

Alhamdulillah, my eldest four were vaccinated- though only with the vaccines we felt were necessary. The youngest four were not, with the exception of two of them recieving the polio vaccine when polio was found in Yemen, mash'Allaah. I don't take any special precautions with them besides teaching them basic hygiene, and stressing the importance of keeping on top of it with hand washing, etc. I do give them vitamins, mash'Allaah, but no other supplements beyond that.

I do think that when possible, one should consider having the tetanus vaccine if there is any chance of the child contracting it, as, mash'Allaah, the consequences are so quick and so dire, mash'Allaah.

A very good, balanced view on vaccines, again, in my opinion, is in Aviva Jill Romm's book, "Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives".