Not sure about taking RLT this time

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 :lol:

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?

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

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).

Double post.

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

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 :p good luck

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.

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

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 :o

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

i have been thinking about taking the tablets... but havent done anything about it. is it too late for me to start do you think?

I am due for my third in about ten weeks and I will be taking rlt for the first time. However for my first I had DD in an hour and half. No pre labour or anything it was BAM. It was very painful and I think that when labours are quick they do tend to be more painful as your body is working faster (IYKWIM)