Rasberry Leaf Tea - bother?

[barbamama]

When are you supposed to start the Rasberry Leaf Tea business again? I seem to remember not before a certain number of weeks.

Does anyone think it actually makes a difference? Not sure I can be arsed this time unless it does. Loose tea/ tea bags or capsules - does it matter? I seem to have all 3 left over from 2.5 years ago (was v. keen).

funny you should mention it...was just wondering this myself...ie is it too late for me to start quaffing the stuff now ...or do you have to build it up or something?

loads of people say it does work...as in speeds up teh second stage

not recommended before 34 weeks

I've had official advice, all from midwives, ranging from 34-37 weeks - take it that means it doesn't really matter.

I've always gone for the pills, just becuase the tea is so disgusting.

I used the tea bages 3 cups a day from 35 weeks, although I occasionally forgot to take them!

I don't know whther they helped or not, but my labour was very straight forward. Was 38+5 weeks when I had dd.

I drank 3 cups a day from 36 wks and DS was born on edd after a simple 3 1/2 hr labour - my contractions were so effective i didn't need any drugs to deliver placenta - i am now 32 wks preg and have already stocked up - don't have a comparison without it but don't want to take the chance!

I drank loads of the horrible stuff from 35 weeks and had a terrible birth with 60 hours of active labour, so not sure it sped anything up really....

Drank (minging) tea and ate pills last time,in the end dd born with fake chemical contractions from a drip so do not know if it worked or not...... hmmmmm..I probably will again this time round though. JUST IN CASE!!!!

I've been taking red raspberry leaf tab's, max does 3 tab's a day (tab's not tea I was told there much stronger) since I was 37 (MW said 37+ and she said that it tends to speed up 2nd stage) week and from the first day I started taking them I had a big plug of CM come away (still getting that though) and much stronger BH's! I'm so sick of pineapple and curry's, Sex is VERY (very strong BH's afterwards) good DH thinks his xmas's and birthdays have all come at once! LOL! give sex ago as well LOL!

Ive just looked and my tablets are out of date - where can you buy them, thanks.

Don't think I can face the tea again ....

Holland & Barratt sell them. I think they are about £6 or £7.

I drank loads of RL tea in the last 3 weeks of my second pregnancy. It's OK if you add sugar or a bit of blackcurrant squash to it. Had a very easy second stage and felt that it had helped.

Best of luck.