Rasberry Leaf Tea and Epi-No - worth trying? Who's had success (or not?)

[CathyS]

Well I got some RLT today! And just tried my first cup! I liked it! (and I usualy don't like tea without milk).

I used a tiny bit of honey to sweeten it. Very nice. I can easily drink this a few times a day. I might take the tablets as well, just to substitute for once a day when I don't feel like drinking the tea.

[LimeSlice]

yay!
Hope it helps Remember it is actually really good for uterine preperation, so dont worry if you dont go into labor form all this glorious tea It is working anyway!

[kitten76]

I started drinking the tea at appx 32 weeks - I also drank nettle tea on the advice of my midwife ( i love the stuff now! ).

We also did perenium massage.

Labour from waters breaking to birth was 1.5 hours - and very intense! I did have a slight tear and didnt really need a stitch but had one anyway.

My first baby I had no idea about RLT - that was a 15 hour labour....... so yes, I do think the RLT made a difference GL hun!!!

Kitt3n, How many weeks were you when you went into labour? I`ve bought some tablets but I just dont want to go premature. Could I start taking them now? What does nettle tea do? sorry for all the Qs these herbal things are all new to me.
Cheers

[Fleur]

Nice to read all the posts, I am planning on using the tea but don't know when to start, or if it is suitable when planning a VBAC?
Cathy, will be very keen to hear how it goes for you!
Best of luck

[LimeSlice]

Jasp - RLT is not going to put you into labour, and is perfect for a VBAC.
RLT is very simply used for uterine preparation. You can drink it throughout you pregnancy and will not send you in to pre-term labor or anything crazy, unless you were already going to go into labor - it is not really an induction tool, except that it will help to soften the uterus ready for contractions, and allow the bubs to engage and move down lower.
This wont happen until your bubba is ready and of a certain size anyway though iykiwm.

So if it were me for a VBAC I would go the RLT anytime from where you are now, 1-2 cups a day will be more than enough, and then around your due date, up it to 4-5 cups a day.

HTH

[milliesmum]

I started taking the RLT capsules at about 38 weeks and ended up going into labour on my due date (our girl was born the next day)

I also used the epi-no from about 37 weeks and still ended with a small cut because my OB thought I was going to tear upwards but our girl had a big head

I will use it again because it helped towards me feeling in control as I knew I'd done as much preparation as I could and it was a considerable outlay

[*The_Mrs.*]

I asked my mother her take on these two things. Raspberry tea leaf, and evening primrose oil. She has her PHD in nutrition and specializes in supplements and holistic nutrition. So here is what I learned.

Raspberry Tea Leaf-
It can be taken as early as 32 weeks pregnant. Some say earlier though due to the fact it can not cause pre term labor. The RLT is used to tone the uterine muscles. It can help you with labor and contractions. It can also help with bleeding afterwards and help shrink your uterus back down to size. It can also help with breast feeding to make your milk plentiful. It can not help you go into labor early this is a old wives tale. there are two ways to take this. I suggest the tablets as you only need two a day. But if you are a tea drinker go ahead you need at least 8 cups a day to get the job done.

Evening Primrose Ol-
this can be taken orally from 34 weeks on and vaginally 36-38 weeks on. You can also just get the oil and use it for a perineum massage. This helps your cervix to soften and prepare for effacement and dilation. It has also been known to help prevent tearing.

Ladies I strongly urge you to take these two things as I will. They are both completely natural and safe.

[*becstar*]

I used RLT and I had pretty good labours, fairly quick, no tears.....BUt I attribute that to my babies all being in the 6lb category I don't think it has anything to do with the RLT.

[MamaPan]

I used RLT and EPO (when I remembered) for my last preg - and I will do so this time too...
My labout was just under 4 hrs, I did have a tear but it wasnt bad.. no idea if it helped but it certainly didnt hinder... worth a shot I say.
in fact i better get out and get my tea today so i can start drinking (though i dont think i ever did 8 cups)