when to start drinking RLT and taking/inserting EPO?

Hi All
Can you tell me when I should start drinking RLT? I keep getting told diff times... and do I start with a cup or something a day and ramp it up over time?
Also - same question for EPO???

Thanks - it is getting exciting now!

Pan - i have been drinking RLT from the beginning of second tri - my midwife suggested it! She said two cups a day in second tri and three cups a day in third tri.. but i am going to start taking the supplements in the third trimester, because i find it a bit of a hassle drinking all that tea on top of my hot chocolates and other drinks!

thanks Catherine, so I would be safe to drink a few cups a day now I guess (in 3rd tri finally!)
Anyone else with ideas and also about EPO welcome!!

Pan - i was told RLT is safe, it's EPO that shouldn't be taken any earlier than 3rd tri... RLT just tones the uterus and also is good for milk production... well i have been leaking since week 16 i think? So maybe it does have something to do with RLT...

I would suggest RLT at 27 weeks and EPO at about 35 weeks

Alan thanks - and how much RLT should I drink??

what on earth is EPO?!
and what is the RLT (i'm assuming Raspberry Leaf Tea) taken for?

EPO = Evening Primrose Oil... I think you take these as capsules and perhaps 'insert' them in the later stages of the 3rd tri - i think it helps to soften the cervix??? I am not entirely sure what it does or how you take/insert it - hence the questions!
RLT = yep Raspberry Leaf Tea - apparently used to tone the uterus.... I figure a tea that tones anything has to be good at this point!!! I think you can either drink the tea itself or take tablets of the tea - i am planning to drink the actual tea since it is so cold a couple of cups of warm tea will be good!!!

I picked up some raspberry leaf tablets from the pharmacy today... recommended dose for the tablets is 3 tablets 3 to 4 times a day... Gawd!

Hi,

just wondering if some one can te me where I can buy EPO from? the ones you actually insert?

You insert the ones that you take orally..

Hi Pregpan
I would go for 3 cups a day
With the EPO take orally as directed and insert 2-3 as high into your vagina as you can at bedtime. It's a good idea to put a pad on as things usually get a bit messy when you stand up in the morning

Thanks Alan.... I'll get some RLT today and start on the 3 cups and then the EPO in a little while...

My OB said to take RLT from 36 weeks - which I did in my last pregnancy and still went a week over due. Am 32 weeks now, so planning to start drinking next week.

Meg - RLT isn't used to bring on labour.. it's used to prepare the uterus and facilitate child birth..

I started inserting EPO at 38-39weeks. I was told that my cervix was not soft at all & the EPO could help.
A friend of mine told me to drench a tampon in the EPO & insert that ,coz it might be easier. I did this & nothing happened. When i got to 40-41weeks i started to insert 2-3 capsuals right up there b4 bed......like Alan said, wear a pad or put a towel under ur bum in bed......I was 7 days late, but i do believe that the EPO helped in moving things on.

ok, thanks for the explanations! i guess i'll go check out the RLT tablets (seeing as i don't drink tea). but 3 tablets 3-4 times a day sounds like hard work - how big are they Catherine?!

hhmmn, i like the sound of softening my cervix - will keep a look out for some EPO tablets to start using later down the track!!

Ella - they aren't BIG, but they aren't really small...they are about the same size as an m&m?... they aren't too hard to take! But i don't have problems with taking tablets like some do. The pharmasist was talking about the RLT with me yesterday and she was an older woman (certainly no young chook) and she said she took RLT in her day when she had her 4 kids, and she said that she had really short labours so she recommends RLT from experience. She said it helps to make the uterus work more effectively with pushing and contractions, hence the shorter labour. She said there is no problems with taking it in the second trimester during pregnancy and she said that it is also great to take after baby is born something to do with iron and breast milk?

well, sounds like RLT is the way to go then - i'm not going to argue against a short labour! i haven't started having any Braxton Hicks contractions yet, so my uterus may need some help in getting toned in any case!

Yeah i agree... i'm willing to try anything for a shorter labour! LOL

my thinking exactly re shortening the labour - hey it cant make it worse so i think worth a shot... I am also feeling like an underachiever in the uterus stakes as no BH contractions at all.... I also havent had ONE leak of colostrum so maybe i do need to give these things a bit of a kick start!!!!

Pan - i have a gf that didn't have any colostrium or milk until she had bub! I thought that was the norm.. i didn't even realise that women got milk during pg, let alone early pregnancy. So i wouldn't stress over not having any leaking.. least you don't have to peel your bras off ;) And i totally agree with your statement, it can't hurt...

So can we just get RLT at Coles / Woolworths or do I need to go to the health food shop?

Cally - i haven't seen it in Coles or Woolies... or maybe they are just out of stock whenever i do my groceries.. I just got the blackmores tabs from the phamacy for about $8 and the actual tea i had to go to a health food shop and it was only $3 for a box.

I am going to a health food shop to get the RLT tea - I did have a quick look at coles and could not see it there...i think some chemists may also sell it.

Woollies didnt' have it when I looked today, will go to the health food shop later this week and see if they have it. I looked up the tablets on the internet - they certainly recommend a lot, I'd be rattling!!