Not sure about taking RLT this time

[Willow]

Well I'm at that stage where I need to make a decision about whether or not to bother with RLT this time around.

I didn't take it with my first prg, had a lot of prelabour and a long active stage but the pain never got to the point that I felt like I needed pain relief, it was a like a slow steady rise and after she was born I felt elated.

DS on the other hand...I started the RLT and EPO at about 37 weeks. Mostly drank it in tea form. I went to 41+3 (as I did with DD), no prelabour, no warning, just bam!

Labour was quick (5 hours from first niggles to birth) but it was SO intense and SO painful that I began to think about asking for an epidural. I labour in the bath and use gas when I need it but it just wasn't helping after a point last time. Thankfully by the time I asked what my options were I was 8-9cm and knowing I was so close I let it go.

After he was born I felt terrible, I lay in the bed shaking for about an hour, I think I was in shock

I'd prefer a more steady pace this time so am not sure about the RLT...what do you think? Will it make a big difference or will my body just do it's thing either way?

[Arimeh]

Willow I dunno if it would have totally been the RLT - cos most people seem to have a quicker labour second time around because your body has already been through it, it knows what its doing.

My OB always recommends it - so I don't know if its a bad thing that your uterus is acting efficiently hehe

[~*Niadalla*~]

Yeah not sure if it's the RLT. My second labour was 4 times quicker than my first, and ALOT more intense and painful. I didn't take any RLT either time, just think it was because it was second time, DD was a fair whack smaller than DS and because my muscles were already strethed quite a way, they had to work harder to push DD out.

In saying that, I still don't know if I would take RLT if I was to have a 3rd baby (which I am not planning on doing by the way).

[~*Niadalla*~]

Double post.

[Willow]

Sorry, that's what I meant to ask, how much do you think the RLT would have played a part?

[Fleur]

Willow... its really interesting that you had a lot of pre-labour without the RLT and none with it!

I am taking it for the first time this PG & have been wondering if the painful BH I am getting could be due to the RLT. I had BH with both the boys (not DD, first bub) but never painful like these...

But as for 'real' labour I agree with Mel...I think your body will just 'do it's thing' either way... FWIW my first labour was 12 1/2 hours, the second 3 hrs... I think it's pretty normal for a second labour to be a lot quicker & more efficient.

having said that you might feel like in that case, you don't need the RLT anyway?
Don't know if that helps good luck

[Inertia]

I've been taking RLT. Its not shortened my pre-labour any. Not so sure about labour though. Will let you know when she finally gets out! LOL.

[BekZ]

Hi Willow - Pre labour RLT can irritate your uterus if you are taking too much. I am taking it a herbal formula (quite strong) and I have had a lot of painful BH in the last couple of weeks.

Interestingly I did not take RLT with DD1 and I had 5 days of pre labour and my actual labour was 10 hours but the pain was gradual and manageable. With DD2 I did have the RLT tabs from 36wks and her labour was 3 hours and very intense. I ended up with a retained placenta and I had no contractions after DD2 was born.

I raised this issue with my naturopath and she believes that the RLT would not have intensified the labour or quickened the actual acitve labour. HTH

[Willow]

Thanks Bek, that does help!

Well I started taking it in tablet form today. Will have to get some more though. Trying to avoid the Blackmores, no way I'll remember to take 3 tablets 4-5 times a day

I will also grab some of the tea from the health food shop today or tomorrow.