Laminaria Is an Algae-Based Seaweed-Like

¶ … Laminaria is an algae-based seaweed-like plant used to induce labor in pregnant patients. Typically, its stems are pressed together and processed into rounded stick-shaped "tents" approximately 6 centimeters long and one-third to one-half centimeter in diameter. The Laminaria tent is designed for manual insertion into the cervical canal where its hygroscopic properties promote the absorption of moisture. This drying of the surrounding tissues results in the softening and increased pliability (or "ripening") of the cervix, thereby inducing cervical contractions associated with labor. Possible side effects and complications associated with the use of Laminaria include infection of the mother and/or fetus. Because Laminaria induces labor, its use is contraindicated by pregnancy except for the specific purpose of inducing labor or abortion (Drugs.com, 2009).

Laminaria Side Effects and Contraindications:

The principal side effects associated with the medicinal use of Laminaria are cervical infection and neonatal infection of the fetus. Several methods of mitigating this infection risk have been employed, such as the coating of the Laminaria tents with antimicrobial agents and the concurrent insertion of topical antibacterial gels. However, evidence suggests that certain sources of the raw material for the Laminaria tent present more of a risk of infection than other sources.

Specifically, the species of marine kelps from which the product is produced come from aquatic sources (mainly the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific) and non-aquatic (i.e. land plant) sources. While both are equally difficult to sterilize, the bacterial contaminants associated with aquatic plants are largely nonpathogenic; however, land plants are much more likely to contain Clostridium spores responsible for tetanus, botulism, and gas gangrene (Health-Care-Clinic.org, 2009). Prior to the modern development of sterilization techniques using ethylene oxide and gamma irradiation, aquatic sources of Laminaria were also associated with potential infection, albeit at much lower rates than land plant sources, primarily attributable to polluted water and non-sterile packaging (Health-Care-Clinic.org, 2009).