RLT too late?

[yolly]

My midwife recomended that i start RLT but ive read you are meant to start at about 32wks im almost 37wks do you think there is much point starting it so late? Will i get any benifit still?

[MamaPan]

I'd still give it a go. It cant hurt can it!!

[MamaPan]

are you also using Eve Primrose Oil?

[yolly]

are you also using Eve Primrose Oil?

Not taking either yet.....will start RLT soon dont think i will bother with the EPO.....Its taken to soften cervix?

[Rebecca77]

i did just read on another baby site about EPO "human research has not been carried out in pregnant women and the effects on the baby are not fully known" and another site for natural medicine says "Evening primrose oil might increase the risk for pregnancy complications".

[Ginger]

what's rlt?

[Trish]

Raspberry Leaf Tea. Yep, start guzzling it away now. It's never too late. Not only is it a great uterine tonic it's also great to help build up your milk supply.

And yep, go the EPO (evening primrose oil) capsules too. Both orally and internally.

[Visitor7]

I didn't start taking RLT till 36 weeks, and I think it may have helped. Better late than never.

[Ginger]

ok, i'll get some tomorrow...

[Trish]

Evening Primrose Oil and Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Neither will actually induce labor. While some lay midwives will argue that statement about the Evening Primrose, which is the reason it is not recommended until 36 weeks or "full term", almost all sources with experience agree that it does nothing that the body was not ready to do on its own. I will repeat this at the end of this section, to make sure you understand this, as there is a lot of confusion and misconception surrounding these two substances.
Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of prostaglandins, which we already determined readies your cervix for labor. It can be taken orally as soon as 34 weeks, and can be applied directly to the cervix at full term (36 weeks). The general recommendation is two 500mg
capsules per day until week 38, at which time you increase to 3-4 per day. The entire capsule can be inserted vaginally (inserted just before bed, it will dissolve before the first time you wake to use the bathroom), or you can use the oil on your fingers for your perineal massage, then also rub on your cervix (assuming you can reach it). Applying directly to the cervix is optimal, but the beneficial ingredients are absorbed through the external skin or the stomach also.
Red raspberry leaf tea is a uterine tonic used by Native Americans for thousands of years. It tones your uterus by helping to "focus" your Braxton Hicks contractions. Think of its job as helping your uterus do more effective exercising while you are pregnant. It does not "cause" contractions and can be safely used throughout pregnancy. It is contraindicated for those having complications "just in case", however, by most doctors who do not understand its use. Many women safely use it from the moment they learn they are pregnant at six weeks until months after delivery. (It helps to tone the uterus after delivery as well, shrinking it back to size more quickly and reducing bleeding.)
Again, neither of these actually causes labor to start!

Rebecca, you are always going to find a positive and negative on everything when it comes to both pregnancy and birth.

I have always drank RLT with no adverse reactions and I used the EPO when I was preg with Tehya. I was 3 cms dilated by the timeI finally wwent into labour and she had settled so low into my pelvs - something that is apparently quiet rare for a 4th pregnancy. I had absolutely no complications with taking or using EPO.