Raspberry leaf tablets & my BH

So I have a little bottle waiting to be opened - each tablet contains 1.5g of red raspberry leaf. I know I can take it from 32 weeks (I am almost 33) but my question is, I have had regular BH since about 17-18 weeks, which I did with DD too. This time they have been at times very uncomfortable and more recently accompanied by that pre-period tight, stretching uterus feeling. Should I take them now or wait? My obstetrician isn't fazed especially as bub is very active and I went into labour With DD at 40 plus 4. Maybe I should take a half dose at first?

I was the same Ladylove.

With dd1 I took them from around 30 weeks (I think...or 28 maybe) and I had dd at 39 weeks.

This time I had the stronger bh, felt like I was going to pop early so I held of till 36 weeks and I ended up being induced at 41+1. In that last week I was taking double doses (checked with a practitioner).

So honestly I don't believe it brings labour on sooner, but both times I had quick and efficient births. To me it helps the uterus work better when the time comes.

My mum said they used to be told to take the tablets from 12 weeks!

Good to know. Did you take yours AM or PM? Just checked the website for mine and 1.5 grams is 1500 mg... So one a day.

Sorry to hijack ladylove! ;) but do u know whats better.. the tablets or the tea? I drank the tea with DD but found I skipped a few days here and there... a tablet wld be a lot easier!

I took mine whenever I remembered, I think generally morning though. I'm always scared about things interfering with my sleep so I don't take a risk lol.

I think the tablets are stronger. They say the tea is good for in labour as it not only helps with hydration but aids the labour.

I started drinking the tea, once per day at 34wks & gradually built up to three times a day by 37wks & today I'm 40+6. I've also had reasonably strong BH during the last trimester but it hasn't seemed to have made a difference. I find I actually enjoy drinking the tea so it's become habit :) Here's to it helping with labour :)

I was the same (ie terrible BHs from early on) and it's perfectly fine to start taking the RLT. It won't bring on labour, it merely helps to prepare your body for labour and can assist with delivery.

Start taking the normal dose and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

LL wow can't believe you are almost 33 weeks! That has gone so fast!!!!

Thanks girls. Yeah, 33 weeks! Pretty much today.

I took RLT tabs with DS2 at 34 weeks and I believe it definitely helped with having more efficient contractions. I will start taking them this time round at 34 weeks again. Also did EPO from 36 weeks directly on my cervix. Went to 40+4 but was soft, stretchy and already 3cm dilated by the time I was induced. :)

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Sorry to hijack ladylove! ;) but do u know whats better.. the tablets or the tea? I drank the tea with DD but found I skipped a few days here and there... a tablet wld be a lot easier!

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The tablet is like drinking the equivalent of 4-5 cups of tea. I dot particularly like herbal tea so the tabs worked for me

I had Braxton hicks thru my pregnancy and took 2tablets when I was 41 weeks, they gave me the longest most uncomfortable BH and I never took any more, I was panicked.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've been taking them for two days and no increased BH, though I'm only taking one a day and it is in the morning as I get more BH at night generally. If all feels good after a week or so I might increase to two day.

Update time (because I like threads with conclusions ;) )

No increase in quantity or intensity/discomfort of BH at all since starting RBL tablets in the morning. After doing this for a week also started taking a second one at night and I think this did increase them slightly so mostly stick to one a day plus the occasional cup of pregnancy/new mother tea which along with RBL has fennel, fenugreek etc.

Hey LL this will sound like a really dumb question but where did you get they tablets from, they health food store? Or does they Pharmacy stock them?

Mumma T - I got mine at a vitamin store xx

LL - I noticed a change only after a few weeks of taking it.. And during labour compared to my first labour anyway

Thanks BR, sorry to hijack the thread LL

Hey Black Rose what exactly do you mean you noticed a change? :)

MummaT got mine online at a holistic pregnancy store but am pretty sure you can get them in a health store.

LL - the BH changed to proper contractions.. I dunno if that was the fact that I was actually in prodromal labour though and it was my second birth so long pre labour (3 weeks or so) with fairly crunchy contractions when they happened.. Maybe the RRL tabs helped with all of that? Not sure. But during labour I felt like my contractions were so much more efficient.. :)

I had a few weeks of prelabour with DD too, without RBL. I suspect this one may be burrowing deeper down thus the particularly intense BH and period cramp feelings I've had the last few days. I know subsequent babies often don't engage until much later or during labour but I have a feeling this one is making her way down.