Rasberry Leaf Tea

[Nettie]

Well, I've been having cups of RLT about once every two days - no side effects. Then I did once a day for a couple of days - still no ill effects, so now I've tried 2 cups today. We'll see if there's any problems tomorrow.

If not, I'll stay on 2 cups a day for a week and see what happens. Been kinda expecting it to start the BH up (haven't had any yet) but maybe it wont.

Feel good still so here's hoping taking the RLT will help when it's 'showtime'!!

[Cluckyliz]

i started taking RLT tablets on the weekend, and last night i seemed to have more braxton hicks than normal.... so i'd say its having an effect! Im taking 3 tablets 3 times a day at the moment!

[Nettie]

I'm now on up to 2 cups a day (whenever I remember!) and still no BH. Although I have occasionally had slight 'tightening' feelings - like a period cramp but quite unspecific... more like the aching feeling that drains your energy - iykwim.

Also doing the Perinium massage now (in the mornings whenever I get time!) - hopefully all this prep will help on the big day!!

[LimeSlice]

RLT is used as a uteran toner if you like. It prepares the uterus for labour, and helps to relax it. It also assists with the delivery and seperation of the placenta, and the relief of post partum bleeding. It has anecdotal evidence of helping labour by easing pain of pre labour contractions and even encouraging labour when the time is right.
I have never heard of any ill effects from anyone - the midwives at teh hospital even suggested drinking it if DTD didnt successfully bring on labour! lol

Its not the nicest, but you can put sugar in it, but DONT add milk as it can affect the tea.
You can also continue to use it post partum as it helps milk supply and production and can help reduce you uterus to normal size

[Janie]

Just a tip, I found it nicer with honey rather than sugar

[Nettie]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that I'm certainly feeling an increase in 'period pain' type cramps. They're not so much painful, as much as they drain my energy and make me catch my breath. It's all across the front of my belly (not in my back at all) so I don't really think they're BH yet.

I'm now on 2 cups of RLT a day (usually) so we'll see if they get worse...

[Sequoia]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed already, but are the tablets as effective as the tea?

[Nelle]

Nettie, they sound like BH to me - aren't BH just any type of practice contractions? They don't have to be full on? Just like everyone's contractions feel different, I guess everyone's BH's feel different too!

Hmm Shoe. I'll take a guess at muchness of a muchness? The tea might be more effective because it's a liquid, so could be absorbed much easier. But then the tablets might be more concentrated, and it's easier to take tablets than make up tea, so you're more likely to be consistent...

I got some tea today! Will hopefully pack the labour bag tonight and then I'll feel safe to have my first cup.
I was deciding between the tea and tablets too, and decided on the tea because I figure I'm killing two birds with one stone there - the tea will keep me hydrated too, and I'm definitely not drinking enough lately! (or ever really, I'll be honest. )