I'm confused...i thought raspberry leaf started labour?

[Ayisha]

I'm a little confused and maybe someone can help me. My midwife said that if baby was late and you wanted to try to help nature along then your should drink raspberry leaf...however I've been reading that some mums are drinking it a month in advance to due dates in order to help soften cervix for better births.
Is it safe to drink it now..I'm 36 weeks and would obviously like to try anything that will help with the birth.
Can anyone help?

I don't think it works. SIL took it from about 12 weeks, she read it in an alterantive health book, despite most peoples objections. She had a 36 hour labour and needed to be induced as her contractions weren't regular /strong enough. I didn't have any, didn't like the taste, yet had short and intense labours.

Its supposed to help tone the uterine muscles but doesn't actually have any impact on starting labour as far as I know.

I believe it is meant to increase blood flow to the uterus making the muscles work more efficiently and so make contractions more productive and also to help the womb return to nromal size and position more quickly after the birth.

I used with all 4 and it didn't make me go into labour but I had (3)fairly easy births.DS4 was a cs.

Raspberry leaf tea as a drink is not very strong AFAIK. I used it in capsule and then higher strength tablet form when pg with ds and he came 2 weeks early, distressed and ended up with a section. M/W said the high strength tablets were the cause of early labour (not distressed baby though, don't know what caused that). I took 4 tablets a day from 37 weeks.

I didn't use them with dd's pg and she was 4 days late.

I got them from holland and barrett and they won't sell them to you unless you're over 36 weeks pg. The tea is so mild there are no restrictions on that. Not to be confused with raspberry tea, which is just a fruity herbal tea and does nothing at all.

I used Raspberry Leaf tea - it's supposed to get the uterus ready or something. Don't know if it worked. An active birth teacher suggested squawvine (whatever that is) to get labour going. I never tried it.

Raspberry leaf tones the uterus

Helping to make contractions more efficient and therefore shorten labour

there is anecdotal evidence it works

it does not induce or start labour

it doesn';t soften the cervix.....AFAIK

BTW - my contractions with ds started 4pm is on Friday and he was born by emergency section 12 am on the Sunday so no fast labour for me either - at least he's gorgeous

Thanks for the information guys, its helped me understand it a bit better. As it doesn't start labour i may was well drink it and hopefully it will help with the length of labour. Its my first baby so I'm pretty anxious as to what to expect. Thats why I'm willing to try anything that may help even if only a little bit.

I started drinking it at 36 weeks and had a few nights of false contractions, which scared me off it a bit. I started on it again a week later and it didn't give me any contractions although my labour was really quick and the contractions very effective (and DS was born a week early!) so maybe there is something to be said for it.

I didnt like the taste of the tea and used the tablets had quick labours

oops meant to say with my last two

lulumama always beats me to it!!!!!

It definitely made my contractions much more effective, I could actually feel them getting going after each cup. 9 cups in a day with ds1, 3.5 hour labour that night. 13 cups in a day with ds 2, 25 minute labour that night. Could be that I am fast labourer (though I can't think of anyone else who would suggest it!), but didn't have any tea with dd1 and had 18.5 hours of misery! bring on the tea!

sorry herts! think i have too much time on my hands!

lulu LOL!!!

(wait til you have your first nightmare client........!!!)

cx

I drank it when I was over my due date. I drank a lot. I woke up one morning with bleeding. May/may not have had anyhting to do with the tea.

I was told by MW that Raspberry Leaf tea works best when drank AFTER birth as it tones the uterus and can help it shrink back quickly, thus reduces your belly quicker!!!

FB x

Hi. I took the raspberry leaf tablets from about 37 weeks as I believed they helped to tone the uterus and could help shorten labour. I delivered dd 3 hours after getting to the hospital - so will definately use them again for no. 2!!!

I used raspberry leaf tea with my 3rd. With the first two I was 10 days early, with my 3rd I was only 2 days early but my 3rd was a much quicker birth but very painful.

I'm now 5 days overdue...my midwife told me to try raspbery leaf tea, along with walking, sex and eating whole pineapples every day!!! So far, nothing's worked...I guess when the baby's ready, it will happen. It will be just my luck for it to happen Christmas eve/day! Oh well.

Hi there! My cousin firmly believes in drinking a tablespoon of caster oil!! I know it sounds really awefull but she swears by it to bring on baby!! I however had premature labour so didnt try it!!
Good Luck!