Thoughts on Raspberry Leaf?

[purplepixie1978]

Hi all,

I took Raspberry Leaf tablets from 33 weeks with DD and I think they helped with my quick labour. I'm currently 34 weeks with #2 and am wondering about when I should start this time. I have heard that second timers should start later - should I wait even longer as DD was born at 37+6?

Thanks.

[RhiChiChi]

My chriopractor suggested raspberry leaf tea for uterine strength but didn't mention anything about quicker labour. She suggested starting from 30 weeks and this is my second bubs

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i am not sure but would like to know. i started taking them while i was pregnant with DD2 and had a 4 and half hour labour (induced) whilst first time round it was over 12 hours (induced). not sure if they helped or it was just the way it went. i cant remember when i started taking them, i think i just followed the instructions on the bottle. third trimester for sure though.

[PumpkinZulu]

I definitely felt RL helped my body labour more efficiently (and therefore quicker). First labour, 6 hours from first niggle. So I'm also wondering the same lol!

[BellyBelly]

Great for milk production too

[RhiChiChi]

Great for milk production too

Great to know, thanks Kelly

[leesha]

I was given advice to drink raspberry leaf tea from 35 weeks if you have had previous labours and especially if they were quick!! Ds1 was 6 days early and 6 hrs, dd1 was
On her due date and 1.5 hrs....ds2 was my third bubs and went to 41 weeks with a 40 minute labour!
So go figure....who really knows!!!!!

[SeppyM]

Dunno if it was the loooonnnggg walks every day, DTD, eating spicy food, bouncing constantly on my fit ball or the copious amounts of raspberry loose leaf tea I drunk but something certainly helped my DD to hurry her little bum up and join us earth side sooner than her EDD I'd try it again with the next bub and do recommend it!

[PumpkinZulu]

Just an aside, raspberry lead does not induce labour or make you go into labour sooner, it's a uterine toner. Your uterus is one big muscle, and raspberry leaf tones that muscle, making it work more efficiently

[Jessiebean]

It seems to make my intermittent pre-labour contractions more painful so I stopped taking it, I will start again in a few weeks but couldn't bear the thought of having more pain for all those weeks. I took it with DS#2 and had a long prelabour and 2 hour (probably less) labour with bubs arriving ten minutes after I arrived at the birth centre. Right now I am having an attack of prelabour so the thought of taking it isn't appealling for me!

[luna moth]

I started at 30 weeks and had a pretty standard 9 hours of active labour. 2+ hours of second stage though, which is what it's been proven to reduce. So good thing I had it!

PP can you ask your midwife?

[Novella]

I took RLT in all three pregnancies. From 34 weeks with DD1 she was born at 36+2, from 35 weeks withh DD2, she was born at 35+6 and from 36 weeks with DD3 who was born at 37+4. I had approx 6hrs active labour with each, drug free, unassisted vaginal deliveries for all of the girls. I was worried about not it taking after having a good labour with previous pregnancies and wasn't sure whether the RLT played a big part in how well my labours progressed. After each birth I had midwives comment on how quickly my uterus shrunk too, not sure if that was related to the RLT.

I had lots of prelabour with dd3 and found the higher doses of RLT gave me cramps, so I reduced what I was taking and had no problems after that. I used the supplements as Im not a tea drinker

good luck

[BellyBelly]

Raspberry Leaf in Pregnancy & Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

[Julie Doula]

Just an aside, raspberry lead does not induce labour or make you go into labour sooner, it's a uterine toner. Your uterus is one big muscle, and raspberry leaf tones that muscle, making it work more efficiently

Yes that's right, it's a wonderful tonic herb, rich in loads of vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. It's even great for men who need to build up their nutrients! But such a friend for the entire women's reproductive system. I use RRL in my Pregnancy tea, Birth Vibes tea, Birth tea and Babymoon post partum tea, and yes it is a minor galactogue too, probably because it is so nourishing.

I was once told that adding Peppermint enhances RRL and helps your body absorb the nutrients - but I have not been able to find any info since to support this.

I have used RRL with all my pregnancies and labours, love it, and they were all great.

[Jessiebean]

JulieDoula, did you have prelabour pains with your subsequent bubs? I am suffering from them and so I am staying away from the RRLT-do you think that is right?

[purplepixie1978]

Thanks for your feedback, everyone! I had some left after DD was born and took it during my periods once they started up again. Definitely improved matters there!

Pud is breech and looks pretty happy there, so an attempt at a manual turn at 37 weeks looks likely. Would a stronger uterus help or hinder this??

[Dr. Tal]

Hey Purple - Oops is sitting breech too. I've started going to the chiropractor, and will be seeing an acupuncturist on Monday both to loosen and open my pelvis and encourage her to turn on her own. Have you thought about these as options before manual turning? My Chiropractor has an 80% turn rate using the webster technique and no risk of placental detachment, where I know there is a risk in manual turning. Just some thoughts.

[BellyBelly]

I second Dr. Tal's comments - heaps of better options than ECV - I also know lots of babies who turn back after them anyway. Also a chance it can set you off into labour meaning a c/s.