raspberry leaf tea tablets?work same as leaves?

[Hanifah]

Hi there, ive seen a lot of chat about raspberry leaf tea, some swear it induced them and some say they took for weeks and went overdue...but I do understand at the least its supposed to help your cervix along with contractions...Im almost 38 wks&have decided to start taking it as Im in agony with back pain, cramps and infrequent contractions. Im just wondering does anyone know about taking raspberry tea leaf TABLETS?Seen as everyone says the stuff itself is really disgusting, are the tablets supposed to do the same thing or do I have to swallow a whole load of that muck to make a difference? Thanks

[luciemule]

this won't be very helpful but although the first drink of the tea in bag form, is a bit strange, it really grew on me and I ended loving it as a drink in its own right (it certainly didn't work in inducing labour as I went over 6 days and I drank it from 36 weeks (about 7 cups a day!).) Perhaps if you try it it might soothe your tummy anyway and you might not have such crampy contractions.

[Hanifah]

thanks...am tryna get the leaves but cnt find anywhere, dh just went holland and barrett and got me the capsules but am a bit worried abt the safety of them!? So, did u have a short easy labor then?lol

[isaidno]

I think the tablets are stronger so be careful not to take too many.

I used raspberry leaf teababgs at the end of both pregnancies and had quick, relatively easy labours. (at 37 and 38 weeks)

[Hanifah]

thanks, yeah im gona start with just one a day...theres no risk 2 baby tho is there? Hopefully itll help altho mayb its a bit late at 38 wks 2 start

[isaidno]

You'll be fine - good luck! The only risk is onset of labour so at 38 weeks that is prob what you want....

[Hanifah]

it is yeah thanks lol

[lulumama]

Raspberry leaf tea does not induce labour , nor does it affect the cervix in any way, nor do the tablets.

What it does do, is help tone the uterus to strengthen it, to help , when labour does start, to shorten the labour by making the contractions more effective

it cannot harm the baby, follow the directions on the packet

i had the tea, from 37 weeks, about with a spoonful of honey

[lulumama]

tablets are supposed to be more concentrated than the tea

[Hanifah]

yeah dh said there was choice btween 400mg and 600 in each tab so i said get the lesser one...ironically it was in the pregnancy section yet says consult ur doc if ur preg...but then a lot of stuff says dat anyway...there arent any side affects are there?

[lulumama]

not that i am aware of, as you are full term now, there is no issue....you are not recommended to take them before 37 weeks, IIRC....anecdotally,there is evidence they are worth taking...

[Hanifah]

ok guys thanks a lot here i go lol

[Hanifah]

hey lulumama sorry didnt see ur first msg, i meant uterus not cervix lol...i c ud already answrd my q, thanks

[lulumama]

no worries xx

[detoxdiva]

I took the tablets from 37 weeks...only my experience but I went from 2-10cm in 2.5 hours so I'll definately be taking them again with no.2

[Hanifah]

wow dats impressiv, how many did u take a day?it says 3 r 4 a day r sumtn, shud i start off wid 1?gna take wit dinner as it says

[scorpio1]

i also took the capsules,and started at 38+5.....went into labour 3 days later (with ds1) had 8 hr labour,no pain relief,etc.

took them with ds2,had baby in hospital lift less that 2 hours from first proper pain.

so,yes,they worked for me

although i would only take a small dose,just to be careful.

[PeachyClair]

I had the tablets with ds3, took them for a few days and then went into labour (a week late). Then downed about 20 all the way to hospital . DS2 took 44 hours to deliver even after the stop-start thing had passed; ds3 took about 4 hours froma dmission might be a third baby thing but what a difference and yes I would do it agin LOL!

[Hanifah]

oh thanks guys dis has SO cheered me up!im gna take a load 2nite least i dnt feel so helpless now...hope im as lucky as u guys!my friend had baby at 38wks after taking for 3 days as well...ooh im getn excited now,just as well i didn hav dem before or id have been overdosing lol

[puddleduck2001]

I bought the tablets as I heard the tea was horrid, but tried the tea and its actually quite nice, if you like fruit/herbal teas anyway it won't be much of a shock. Now taking 3 cups a day when I remember, as Im 38 weeks, 2 of my MW's said they took it when they were pregnant so thats reassuring too!

[Hanifah]

dont know where 2 get leaves but am on tabs now, hope they're working...getting desperate now...even had sex 2day haha

[Nikki76]

lol!!

Hubby wouldn't go near me after I was 4months!!!!!

[Hanifah]

haha mine was delighted eventho he knew he was just bein used lol...dont know if its a good idea,had tummy pain all last nite...not sure if thats a good thing(uterus gettin ready)or cos Im constipated(have been the opposite all through the preg)

[3xamum]

I took the tablets with all 3, er not sure they did much as had three varying labours but hey they are worth a go!

[lulumama]

tea leaves available from health food shops, i ordered mine from Clipper