Hoping someone can give me some advice. I'll also ask my doc when next i see her. BUT, I wanted to take raspberry leaf tea as recommended by our hospy midwives because it helps smooths and relax the cervix and can help the progression of labour.
However, my DH is away until 10 days before our due date (i'm 36weeks on sunday, he's home dec 4, due dec 14) and I'm nervous about doing anything that might bring bub early (no support here whatsoever so its vital dh is home).
I was going to just start taking the raspberry leaf tabs this week cos i didn't think it could actually bring on labour but the blackmores website says this: "Traditionally used during the third trimester of pregnancy to help prepare the uterus for labour and help facilitate childbirth."
So my question is - what would you do? would you take the tabs from now to help with the lovely natural birth you very much want? Or would you not take the chance it could prompt things to happen?
With dh coming home just 10 days before our EDD, would it be worth starting the tablets the week he is due home? or would they not be effective in such a short time frame?
thanks for reading and for any insights you may have.
Advice from my OB is that it's ok to start now. Her advice is that rasberry leaf tablets alone won't make things happen any earlier. They are more about preparation of the uterus than an actual induction technique.
It's when you combine raspberry leaf tablets with accupuncture and other natural induction techniques is when things *might* start to rock and roll. I reckon my baby will come when it's good and ready, despite all my preparation!
Hi Grub, I asked my midwife at my last appointment when I should start taking it after she suggested I take it to avoid using the gel for my induction, She said only for the week before I'm due to be induced.
I don't know if it would bring on labour early but maybe just wait till your DH is home to be on the safe side. My midi told me the week before was plenty of time for it to do it's job.
I'm glad you have asked this question though, I'm interested in what others have to say, maybe if I start it earlier I could beat an induction all together??
Ah, pregnant brain. I looked up again my OB's advice. The rest of it was to start taking them at 25% dose and work up to 2 tablets per day over 3-4 weeks.
I started taking them quite a bit earlier, can't quite remember when, but may have been around 32 or 34 weeks. I started off with the tea and then worked up to the tablets and gradually increased the dose. From memory the tablets recommended dose is quite high (2 or 3 tablets 3 times a day) so it took me quite a few weeks to work up to it.
I do remember one day where I had upped my intake quite a bit and I had a lot of braxton hicks. I don't think that they would bring on labour, as others have said they are more about preparing your uterus than stimulating it... If I was you I would probably start taking them now and gradually build them up. I think it does take quite awhile for them to do there job, so if you leave it too late to start you don't get the full benefit iykwim...
I took Raspberry Leaf Tea from 34wks pregnant and I believe it helped me to have a better labour.... I really do feel it prepared my cervix etc and I was having pre labour pains from 37wks onwards. I really do believe it helped. Although i went 7 days over dates, i believe my cervix was ripe and ready when i went into labour that day.
Just my experience & I'm sure it's different for everyone but...
all my bubs were late, I started the tea at about 26 weeks I think & the tablets at about 33 weeks. Along with everything else I tried (including acupuncture) she was still 10 days postdates. I did have some very strong BH; not sure if it was the RL, as my BH have been stronger with each subsequent pregnancy.
My understanding is that they won't send you into labour but will help in labour... but if you are worried about it for any reason I would take it easy on them anyway
thanks girs for your excellent responses. I definitely want to start taking RL. I'll talk to my middy tomoz but i think i'll start slowly next week (36w) and build up. DH gets home at 38 weeks so it shouldn't be too bad.
Mind you, bub is welcome to enter the world anytime after his daddy gets home lol.
advice on raspberry leaf use
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(including acupuncture) she was still 10 days postdates. I did have some very strong BH; not sure if it was the RL, as my BH have been stronger with each subsequent pregnancy.
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