Rasberry Leaf Tea

[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. )

[Sequoia]

Thanks Nelle, I've bought the tablets and will start Friday when I'll be 35 weeks as per OB instructions.

[mrs baj]

Nettie yeah they sound like BH to me definately. they weren't painful for me at all with ds, got quite uncomfortably strong near the end though. This time round unfortunately they've been pretty bad for ages.

Shoegal I've heard that the tea is definately more potent and therefore more effective so you don't need to take it as much. I think it'd work out cheaper too. I've been taking one-two cups a day but have it with a fruit tea like strawberry and a little honey and it's really nice. If you'll have time to sit down for a cuppa once a day then I'd say try the tea after you've finished the tablets maybe, or combine the two iykwim.

Nelle don't wanna sound rude or anything but didn't I read that you were gonna pack your bag a few weeks ago? It just reminds me SO much of when I was pg with ds coz I put it off for so long dh had to pack it when I was in labour. Hope this doesn't happen to you though

[Nelle]

didn't I read that you were gonna pack your bag a few weeks ago?

Yeah well, forget all the natural birth philosophies, I think I have found the real attraction of homebirthing...
I discovered a whole lot of stuff I need to buy...and who knows what happened to the lot of dark undies I bought for after Riv was born...

[meow]

I've been consistently drinking 2-3 cups of tea for a week now (was haphazard before that) and I still haven't one BH. So don't panic that it'll bring things on- it might appear to do nothing for you like me. hopefully it'll make things nice and functional at the birth and afterwards though.