RLT & EPO - Do they really help???

[kitten80]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any experiences using Raspberry Leaf Tea/tablets & or Evening Primrose Oil capsules during late pregnancy to help out labour?

I have heard that you can do the EPO capsules orally & internally too????

And when do you start?

I'm willing to try anything for help in the VBAC department (only if it's beneficial & safe of course)...

Any stories or advice?

Thanks

[samaraxx]

Raspberry leaf tea can help tone the uterus and help prepare for birth, however studies have shown that it causes more labours in the 2nd trimester and doesn't nessessarily prevent from going past the due date. So it is definately reccommended that you do not drink in until the 3rd trimester and is safest from 34weeks. My sister-in-law drank one cup of raspberry leaf tea at 31 weeks pregnant and was flown to Sydney 3hours later in premature labour. They manage to stop the labour after 3 days, however it was pretty scary still! But ever woman's body is different and I know quite a few people that said it's great, including my mum-in-law.

During late pregnancy sex can help bring on labour. Sperm contains Prostaglandin which can soften the cervix, and a female orgasm produces Oxytocin which helps kick-start contractions. Both of these are what the doctors would use to induce labour normally but just in larger amounts! Stay active, walk, and relaxation are all natural ways to help. Also I have heard hot curries help bring on labour, though it hasn't worked for me yet!! Good Luck, hope you get your VBAC

[Mads]

I couldnt say definitively that it helped but here is what I took-

Bub came 2 weeks early and I got my VBAC, btw. (actually the hospital had my original dates not adjusted by scans and according to that bub was born 37 +1!!)

I started drinking RLT at 34-35 weeks, struggled with hot tea, but did really well drinking 4 cups a day (ish) when I made it strong with honey and put it in the fridge.
I started taking EPO capsules maybe week 35-36, never got round to trying them internally.
I made a huge effort to go for a walk everyday, and keep myself moving and let nature help out. Last pregnancy I was so heavy with fluid and I sat on my butt, so I am sure that the walking helped me this time around!

[Artechim]

I took RLT tablets from 36 weeks. I think they must have done something to strengthen the uterine contractions because I had no pushing stage with my DD, just felt her move down and crown on one contraction and gave a tiny push and out she flew.

[M D]

Oh I will be watching this thread. A friend of my Mum's sware by Rasberry Leaf tablets. She had five kids ranging from 8 pound to 12 and half pound and had no troubles giving birth. I forgot about it with DD and had a horrible induction which I will be avoiding this time around.

Mads - With the EPO how many did you take?

[Bloom]

I reckon they helped me and I will do them again this pregnancy. With DS he was 12 days late (not induced), but I dilated very quickly and the contractions seemed to be effective.

[Arimeh]

I reckon they helped me and I will do them again this pregnancy. With DS he was 12 days late (not induced), but I dilated very quickly and the contractions seemed to be effective.

I could have said exactly the same thing for my VBA2C. Shortish labour considering it was my first, and she was 12 days overdue as well. I started taking RLT and EPO at 36 weeks, and also doing my perineal massage (well DH helped in that department cos I couldn't reach!!)

I inserted two tablets of EPO internally - didn't take any orally. Drank RLT (teabags) about 3-4 cups per day. I did have 5 at one stage but it just made me feel sick so I reduced it a little.

Good luck!