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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Raspberry leaf tea

22 replies

ILoveDonaldDraper · 27/08/2010 14:44

Apologies - I know there have been lots of threads about this but I haven't been able to find one that answers my question -
If you are taking raspberry leaf capsules (I have the 400mg ones from Holland and Barrett), how many should you take a day?
I am currently 34+1. The bottle just says to take between three and six tablets a day which seems a bit vague to me. I am assuming that because its a herbal remedy there won't be any "official" advice about how much to take, but I wondered if anyone had come across any at least semi-authoritative information about how much to take?
Many thanks indeed for your help in advance.

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YummyMummy1208 · 27/08/2010 16:22

No useful advice from me im afraid - just wondering why you need to take them? what are they supposed to do?

JazzieJeff · 27/08/2010 17:07

Mine say to take three a day, preferably with a meal. Six sounds like a lot to me, but then I'm no doctor I guess!

I got mine at a local health food store and I also drink 2 cups of the tea a day which; as long as you brew it for the full 5 minutes just tastes a bit like weak hot blackcurrant. I've got used to it and it's alright actually.

Yummy RLT products are supposed to speed up the active phase of labour by toning your uterine muscles and making your contractions stronger, and more effective. I have several friends and an aunt to took it and all said they thought it helped, although these things are pretty hard to test and prove!

I did a bit of research on it and it turns out women have been using raspberry leaf products to ease labour for hundreds of years... anything's worth a go!

bargainhuntingbetty · 27/08/2010 17:09

I took RLT and had very easily quick labours with both of my DD's. I might just be like that anyway but its got to be worth a go.

ilovesprouts · 27/08/2010 17:12

they did not work for me

Original poster

ILoveDonaldDraper · 27/08/2010 17:51

jazzie - how many mgs of leaf is in your capsules?
Bargainhunting betty - what dosage did you take?

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loftyjen · 27/08/2010 18:27

I'm 36+3 have been bit rubbish so far, bought some the other day, and on each of the following days took one with breakfast, but then had crampish pains/discomfort around my belly button which lasted good few hrs.

Has anyone else had this experience?? Has put me off a bit especially if I was taking more and getting same/stronger sensation.

JazzieJeff · 27/08/2010 18:41

Ilove There's 500mg in my capsules, but again I bought mine from an independent chemist.

loftyjen the same thing happened to me for the first few days, then stopped. There was a thread on here a while back and other people said it happened to them too. I suppose I just thought if it wasn't supposed to happen, then they wouldn't recommend it for pregnant ladies. After all, it's supposed to make you contract more efficiently during labour... so I figured maybe my body was just practising?

loftyjen · 27/08/2010 18:56

Thanks JazzieJeff - I'll persist with it then... did make sense it could be caused but thought it that was what it did after one capsule how uncomfy could it get!

Glad to hear it eases off x

JazzieJeff · 27/08/2010 19:05

Loftyjen maybe try the tea instead? Might be a bit gentler on your poor tummy! x

YummyMummy1208 · 27/08/2010 19:50

Ooo might pop out and buy some tomorrow then! - anythings worth a go!

When are you advised to start taking them from, im not too late am i? (32 weeks)

lollymad · 27/08/2010 19:57

Can't help with the tablets I'm afraid, but tea I think you're supposed to start from about 35ish weeks, and start with one cup a day, and increase to 2 cups the next week, then 3 etc.

As to effectiveness, I took them with both and dd's labour was 4.5 hours, with ds I was in labour for 36 so who knows!

loftyjen · 27/08/2010 22:22

JazzieJeff - tea's not really an option as I don't like hot drinks

Am going to give the tablets another go over the w/e - face being induced at 40/40 if I haven't spontaneously produced so want to try them so that if it does come to that hopefully minimal action will help!

angelberry · 27/08/2010 22:23

I found a couple of cups of the tea each day worked well.

Original poster

ILoveDonaldDraper · 28/08/2010 16:00

apparently the tea often sets of braxton hicks so hopefully that just shows that it is doing something LoftyJen - let us know if it works for you!

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YummyMummy1208 · 28/08/2010 19:19

Update: been and bought some capsules today and tea bags to top them off and am now sitting at my laptop with a cup of raspberry leaf tea brewing next to me!

jem1980 · 28/08/2010 23:25

Have read somewhere that it's recommended to start off on low-ish dose and increase when you get past 37wks, with either tea or tablets. E.g. if jar says 3-6 tablets and you're 35 weeks, maybe start on 3 and move up to 4 at 37wks, 5 at 38-wks etc. I had quick labour after taking with my 2nd - didn't attribute this to RLT but maybe...? Am taking again, as I'm 35wks with no. 3.

IMoveTheStars · 28/08/2010 23:28

I've heard (in RL and MN) that the tea is better as more of it gets absorbed.

It is said to strength the muscles in the uterus so each contraction is more productive.

yeah, don't start before 35/36 weeks. It's not meant to bring on labour but just in case (it's the general advice, not just my opinion, btw)

lurcherlover · 29/08/2010 08:57

OK, I'm going to try this - only 32 weeks at the mo so not yet though. So if I wait til 35 weeks, I should start with a cup a day, then go to 2 cups at 36, 3 cups at 37 etc? Can you overdose on it??

CharlyH · 29/08/2010 13:31

I had exactly the same concern so have been searching high and low online to find guidance. As you say, because it is herbal there is no absoulte official dosage.

Website I found suggested that you should be working towards having c1900mg per day by the time you are 37 weeks.

I have found RL capsules that are 425 and 900mg. I am 37 weeks pregnant and have the 425mg capsules so take 4 per day (= 1700mg)

As you are 32 weeks, I think it is sensible to build up slowly.

Hope this helps.

Lastyearsmodel · 29/08/2010 13:39

I took the H&B capsules - started off with 2 day at about 30 weeks and built up to 6 a day over a month or so - felt like a faff takiong so many. Then went to my local independent health food shop and found a brand that was a stronger dose so only needed 2 a day.

Rasp leaf not recommended in first trimester, but I think most people take it from about 30 weeks. My mw says she took it from 20 wks, fwiw.

I am now 40+7 with DC3 and having lots of Braxton Hicks. I have slow labours but fast 2nd stages, which is what I understood Rasp leaf is good for.

YummyMummy1208 · 29/08/2010 16:18

Just did some research and it states to start taking it from your 32nd week of pregnancy (good timing considering im 32 weeks tomorrow!) and start off at 1 cup of tea a day working up to 4 a day by 37 weeks.

hope this helps!

mumangela · 25/08/2018 10:01

I believe the raspberry leaf is more to improve the elasticity of the muscles and prepare for birth. Its many years since I had mine but I took them and they definitely made a difference. They were recommended by a lady who had a horrendous time with her first then was told about raspberry leaf with the second, who was born quickly and easily. The ones I forgot to take it were more painful.

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