Raspberry Leaf Tea (or tablets)

[Cass72]

Hi there. Just wondering what anyone's thoughts are on taking Raspberry Leaf. I took this in a tablet form with DS. He was born at 36w 3d and I have to admit that I had a really easy (and quick) labour - my first stage went largely unnoticed by me (thanks mum for dragging me to hospital!!) and he was born within 20 minutes of my water breaking.

I wasn't sure if it was just me and my genes (my mum and sister both had "rapid births") or if it was a result of taking raspberry leaf. My DH is going away on Monday and won't be back until 15 Feb and I didn't want to take any chances of going early while he was away. Then again, I also want another relatively easy birth!

[BhoysGirl]

Cass - my understanding is that RLT doesn't bring on labour, it just makes it more efficient when it starts - so it won't have a bearing on whether or not you go early as such, although hopefully you won't, at least not until your DH is back.

[CinderToriella]

when is the best time to start taking it?

I thought u took it later on like after 38 weeks?

[Rainbow_Mumma]

I tried the RLT with both my daughters personally i dont think it worked for me DD1 was a 21 hour labour and DD2 was also 21 hours before i had to have an emergency c/sec because labour wasnt progressing and her heartrate sky rocketed (even though i know differently the cause of that to what the hospital claim but thats another rant)

The RLT as already said wont make labour come earlier it just helps the cervix as far as i understand to make the labour easier once in labour, i hate to think of mine then if it did work for me!
Good luck

[julietp]

hey there,
my understanding was that raspberry leaf tea was best taken at the onset of labor to act as a relaxant. I do know that my second birth was a lot faster than my first, so if that is a general rule I wouldn't take anything that is likely to hurry you along if it is going to be a real worry that you go into labor when your birth carers are not available.

[BhoysGirl]

I think it kind of depends who you talk to. I know a naturopath who recommends RLT to her clients from 20 weeks, which seems a little early to me, but in other places you will see recommendations to start it from about 36 weeks.

RLT is to aid with uterine conditioning, hence it's reputation for assisting with contractions when they start, but it's not going to actually bring on labour. For softening the cervix, it's Evening primrose all you need.

I think that for some people it will make a difference, others will not see any benefit at all, and in any case, no-one ever gets identical labour situations, so comparison is only ever able to be anecdotal. My view of it is that as long as you don't go overboard with your doses, it's not going to do any harm.

[Cass72]

RLT is to aid with uterine conditioning, hence it's reputation for assisting with contractions when they start, but it's not going to actually bring on labour.

That's what I thought as well - I'm not in a hurry to bring on labour but I won't knock back something that just might (or might not) assist with the contractions when it actually starts!

[tropicalmummy]

hi there, well i used raspberry leaf tea from a naturpath from six months on with my third and off it seemed to 'enhance' my braxton hicks, at 39 weeks i begged my ob to do a stretch a sweep, which gladly she did.i tried to take it the tea week and regular but for me it was too uncomfortable, my labour still lasted 8 hrs...good luck some people find it helpfull.

[CinderToriella]

spoke to my MW today about the tea,she said most women start taking it from 32 weeks slowly and ease itto it

there is the tea or blackmores tablets but they are better off for if you are starting off from 32 weeks etc as u can slowly ease into them and u take more

as i am 36 weeks and only just starting them i found brand 'herbs of gold' tablets they are stronger per tablet and u only need to take 1-2 tablets per day to get more strength then if u were to take 5 -6 tablets of blackmores which is what you would need

they do not bring on labour ,they help preparing the unterus before labour ,and help it to contract back into its shape after birth as well, so u keep taking it after birth

it also can help with postpartum bleeding and swelling
and can also assist with your breast milk

it has many benifits for women as well as vitamins so its well worth it i only wish i knew about it sooner

[Rooey5]

Just out of curiosity, where can you get raspberry leaf tea? Health food shops?

[CinderToriella]

Just out of curiosity, where can you get raspberry leaf tea? Health food shops?

I got my tablets from the health food shop-they had the tea leafs there as well

[MummaSue]

Same as Shell - health food shop.
But I know that Coles sells it, I got it there before.

Sue xx

[FR73]

I started taking the Herbs of Gold @ 32 weeks. I started taking one tablet (2g)and then @ 34 weeks increased to 2 (4g). Herbs of gold are available online or in alot of health food shops, and because they are a higher dosage you don't have to take more than 2 a day. Our son was born in London and most of the midwives routinely recommend you start at 32 weeks and increase gradually to maximum recommended dosage by 34 weeks. My first labour was 5 hours from first contraction, but everyone is different, and every labour will be different. The Raspberry leaf is all about maximising the efficiency of your contractions and 'toning' the uterus in preparation for the labour.