Raspberry Leaf Tea? Yes or No? Experiances please.

[LaurenCaddy]

I've got myself some Raspberry Leaf Tea, to take from 30 weeks. But i've heard so many mixed reviews. Like when to start taking it and how often ect.

My original thoughts where based on this report on the babycentre website:

Raspberry leaf tea is thought to tone the muscles of your uterus (womb) to help it work better during labour. The idea is not so much to speed up your labour, but to help it to progress at a nice, steady pace. Because raspberry leaf tea takes several weeks to accumulate in your body, it won't work to bring on labour if you are overdue.

www.babycentre.co.uk/x545986/can-raspberry-leaf-tea-help-to-ease-labour#ixzz2GlA71DLv

Has anyone got any thoughts, opinions or reviews on it?

Many Thanks ladies :)

[SentimentalKat]

I drank gallons of it before both dcs and don't think it made any difference whatsoever. Kept me well hydrated, though

[beckslovestimmy]

I started taking the capsules at 32 weeks, saw the midwife at 35 weeks and she told me off. Said I shouldn't take them till 37 weeks. Im 37 weeks tomorrow so will start them again then.

[Tinselandchocolates]

I took the capsules (tea has MUCH less in) from 36 weeks with DS. It doesn't induce labour but I understand it can help strengthen contractions and therefore make labour shorter. I went into natural labour at 40+13 after 2 days non-painful stop/start prelabour. 5.5 hours from first proper contraction to DS born. May have nothing to do with raspberry leaf, but needless to say will be using it again!

[mamij]

Drank cups of it with both DDs and didn't make a difference. But loved having a warm drink every day (winter babies).

[beckie90]

Drank it from 30 weeks with ds2 went into labour on my due date and had him 5 days later, don't get me wrong contractions were quick fast and painful but took a LONG time to dilate. Ds1 however, I was induced and he was born 4.5 hours after they broke my waters and out in 2 pushes, so I thought ds2 labour combined with rasberry leaf tea would be a breeze, I was so so wrong lol

[LaurenCaddy]

After a few more searches and looking around the tinternet i've fond that the capsules are stronger than the tea, so they are recommended for after 36 weeks. But the tea isn't as strong so can be taken earlier.

So i'm planning, 1 cup a day from 30 weeks, then 2 a day from 32 weeks and 3 a day from 35.

See how it works for me :)

[Mylittlepuds]

Ooh me too then. Being induced at 37 weeks and it was nasty last time so it might help!

[AnyaKnowIt]

I took raspberry leaf and I was in labour just under 4 hours.

[Mylittlepuds]

Oh damn it - can't take it if induced.

[nurseneedshelp]

I swore by it and my niece recently drank it from 36 weeks and gave birth to her first, a beautiful 8lb in around 5 hours with entonox!

[ellee]

Umm, not precisely the same thing but I took the capsules ONCE at about 38w and porbably pure conincidence but my waters went that night (felt nauseous after them and belly v tight) and ended up with a section and 2w early baby.

Not at all scientific but if we go for no3 I won't be taking that stuff again...

[ellee]

Just in the interests of full info, dd was dc2 and she hadn't engaged properly (kept popping back up). I was SO disappointed not to get a vbac...

[joby21]

I had beeb drinking the tea from about 35 weeks. I was induced on saturday, had 30hrs of early labour which got me to 4cm, had my waters broken and 3 1/2 hrs later was pushing. Am convinced the tea helped!

Plus i think i must be one of the few who actually like the taste!!

[MahnaMahna]

I started taking the capsules at 34 weeks. DD came at 39 weeks. I had contractions for 30 hours, but the actual pushing bit only lasted for 15 minutes. So it could have worked :)

[Happykitten]

How many capsules are you supposed to take?

[rrreow]

I took the capsules from around 34 weeks last time (don't remember exactly) which was my first pregnancy. I started with one capsule and gradually upped the dosage to the maximum recommended. I'm planning to do the same thing this time.

My labour was induced (1 gel, then waters broken), around 3 hours of established labour, 2 hours of which was pushing. I wouldn't pretend to think that my very quick labour was necessarily because of the raspberry leaf though! But I guess it didn't hurt (taking it, that is, the labour itself was bloody agony of course ).

[Kima23]

I'm currently 38 +5 days and been taking the rasp tea and the capsules from 36 weeks. I was very confused at all the different things people were saying about it and as i heard it could induce labour i thought it would be safe to take at 36 weeks. Then after doing some more research found out that it won't actually induce labour but it can tone the uterus and help for a quicker 2nd stage of labour. I haven't been taking the tabs, or drinking the tea, religiously because i have been forgetting, but Its worth a try and certainly wont do any harm!!
I will let you know if it works for shorter, easier labour :)

Good luck x

[Ladylike1]

I took the tabs from about 30 weeks, was induced at 39+3 due to spd and supposed large baby. I took them right up to the second pessary. I laboured for 2 hours, pushed for 3 mins! I have used these tabs for 2 pregnancies before this, and both were quick! My longest labour being my first, @ 7 hours long, from start to finish. I never drank the tea tho....

[bunglesmum12]

Bump

[sambababy]

I'm also confused about this because the tablets come in different strengths and don't seem to say the dosage on the bottle (not on my holland & barratt ones anyway).

[JollyMarie79]

I like the taste of it and have been drinking it from 35wks however I drink it normally when not pregnant to. It is meant to have loads of health benefits but I just drink it because it's caffeine free and tasty.

I've copied and pasted this for info:

Men as well as women can enjoy raspberry leaf tea benefits, as it’s not something that solely targets women’s reproductive health. Other conditions that improve with regular raspberry tea intake include:

The common cold or flu

Sunburn, rashes or eczema

Gingivitis, canker sores or sore gums

Muscle cramps

Diarrhea

Anemia

Bloating

[ThedementedPenguin]

I'm 38+3. I've been taking the capsules from 32 weeks. I started out on one a day but I'm now on 6 a day. I'm just hoping it helps during labour.

I couldn't drink the stuff as it tastes awful.

[HudYerWeisht]

I drank the tea, don't think it made one jot of difference tbh. Hated the taste too.