Experiences with Raspberry Leaf

[HongKongBaby]

Anyone got any experience of drinking raspberry leaf tea or taking supplements? I was induced first time and subsequently long, painful labour and episiotomy/ventouse in the end. Would like to avoid induction if possible this time and wonder if this would help? On the other hand do not want it to happen to quickly as have to find someone to look after toddler and get to hospital an hour away! Also I read on internet that if family history of endimitriosis should avoid raspberry leaf, my mum has this I think, anyone know more about this?

[DevonDumplin]

No expert, but as far as i understand it Raspberry leaf doesn't induce labour it just strengthens the uterine muscles so when you do naturally contract they're more effective. I have quite severe endometriosis and have never heard that i should avouid it, however it's probably worth talking with your GP/midwife first. :)

[ShowOfHands]

Raspberry Leaf Tea is nowt to do with inducing labour, it's a tonic meant to strengthen the uterus in readiness for the 2nd stage.

[HongKongBaby]

Okay, so it won't make the labour happen but might shorten it? Might be worth a try then. No midwife or GP unfortunately to ask as out in Hong Kong having baby in public health system. I'm 33 weeks now is this a good time to start taking does anyone know?

[nannyl]

My midwife told me dont drink until 37 weeks, when i asked her at 31 weeks

Our NCT documents & NCT teacher said 34 weeks, and many other sources say start around 32 / 34 weeks.
I have a friend living somewhere in the caribbean where the official advice is to drink all through pregnancy, which she has been doing! (she is about 31 weeks now!)

Im 35 weeks, and started 1 cup a day, a week ago at 34 weeks.

I'll only have 1 a day until 38 weeks, then perhaps 2 a day from 38 - 39 weeks, 3 a day from 39 - 40 weeks, and 4 a day from 40+ weeks.

[LadyGoneGaga]

I started taking at 32 weeks but built up gradually. So say week 32,33,34 one cup a day; 35, 36 two cups a days; 37,38 3 cups a day, 39,40 4 cups a day.

[Metalhead]

I took the tablets from when I was around 32 weeks I think. Still had 17 hour labour with over 2 hours of pushing though, so I wouldn't expect any miracles.

[Birnamwood]

30 hr labour and 2 1/2 hrs pushing, and I drank gallons of the bloody stuff.

[tiokiko]

Supposed to help with the pushing stage, not induce labour or shorten labour overall - idea is that stronger uterine muscles make pushing more efficient.

I took tablets last time from 37w I think. Pushed for about 30 mins, wasn't as hard to push as I'd expected or as painful - whether that was the tablets or not I have no idea but I'm 31w now and will definitely be using them again this time.

[HongKongBaby]

Thanks all, well maybe a bit hit and miss then but was pushing for ages last time and in the end could not push her out without help so worth a try for me.

[maisie215]

DS1- twenty minute second stage (maybe 5 or 6 pushes)
DD2- one push

Two very quick, easy and comfortable labours. Maybe just chance but worth a go. I like the stuff anyway!

[tigercametotea]

For my 2 younger dcs, I took raspberry leaf capsules faithfully for the month and a half or so leading up to the birth date. one of them came 1 wk early and the other was 10 days late. My eldest, I didn't take raspberry leaf for, but she wad 2 wks early, so I doubt the raspberry leaf had anything to do with whether or not the babies were late. Or early. And for all of them I had roughly the same duration of labour, about 8 hrs. In all honesty I am not sure if taking raspberry leaf tea really more that much of a difference.

[MainlyMaynie]

I started at 32 weeks, first baby and my labour was 6 hours with 15 minutes pushing. It's the pushing stage it's supposed to reduce (and there is evidence of an impact). I'm convinced it worked for me!