Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe. It has been used for a variety of ailments including respiratory conditions, digestive complaints, and as a mild diuretic. In some traditional texts, Ground Ivy is mentioned as being used by midwives or herbalists to support uterine health after childbirth and to help alleviate afterbirth pains, though such references are limited and not universally documented. The rationale for its use is often attributed to its purported anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic properties, as well as its general tonic effects on the body.

Despite this traditional background, there is a lack of robust scientific studies or clinical trials investigating Ground Ivy's effectiveness specifically for afterbirth pain (the uterine contractions and discomfort that occur after childbirth). The plant contains various compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and volatile oils, which have shown some anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic activity in laboratory settings, but direct evidence for its efficacy in postpartum pain management is absent. Consequently, while there is some traditional justification for its use in this context, the supporting evidence is weak and not substantiated by modern research.