Raspberry leaf tablets/tea

[Rachey1969]

I'm 32 weeks now (4th preg), I've never taken RLT before - what does everyone think, any good or not? And if so, when do you start and at what dose and tea or tablet?

Any and all opinions gratefully received.

Thanks!

i took tea from 36 weeks.... 3 cups a day - did not a lot, although i reckon it helped once things did start.... quick labour and no tears etc.

Hmmm - I drank it from 38 weeks, 3 cups of tea a day, dd 10 days late!

oh and i was 4 days late but it did make BH's stronger!

I took the tablets with my last one (4th) from 36 weeks. He was 8 days late but the quickest labour of the lot (about 6.5 hours & second stage was only 6 minutes, unlike the 50 min second stage I had with the previous one)

I know of no randomised controlled trials, I think the evidence is mostly anecdotal

pmsl - I took tablets from 37 weeks (their dates, my due date), and I was a month/2 days (depending on dates) late!

Anyone noticing a theme...?

Rachey I took the tablets from 35 weeks lsat time (think I've mentioned this on the due in Jan thread) DD born 15 days early 4h 20 min labour.

Don't think theres any evidence that RLT works but some women swear by it, one friend had a 2 hour and a 40 min labour with her two after taking it but another had a 27 hour labour, I think if you are going to have fast labours you will regardless.

I'm taking it from 34 weeks this time, might help might not!

Raspberry leaf, whether in tea form or tablets, doesn't bring labour on, but it does make it quicker. It is supposed to tone your uterine muscles so contractions are more efficient.

I took RTL tablets from 35 weeks with my third baby and although he was induced at 12 days late (normal for me) my labour was 39 mins from beginning to end, with one big push! I didn't take any form of RTL with my other 2 and thier labours were much longer.

I got the capsules from holland and barratt when i went over my due date. It was the first time, 1 and 2 were early-ish. I suspect i ahd been in early labour for a week by then as havintg lots of discomfort, tablets really boosted it! I started mainlining them as we drove to hospital, this baby delivered in 4 hours flat, ds2 (ds1 was induced so different) took 44 hours to arrive.

I LOVE the capsules!

I think there is some clinical evidence for RLT. I will go and look it up.

I'm for anything that speeds labor up by even 5 minutes!

ah not quite clinical evidence:

a small scale study of women in Australia - 108 women - 57 took RLT from 32 wks, 51 didn't (controls). women who took the RLT were less likely to have an early or late baby, have an artificial rupture of membranes or require a C section, forceps or ventouse.
no difference in 1dt stage of labour, but second stage on average 10 minutes shorter.
it is recommended to take no earlier than 32 weeks.

well put it this way.... Jessica's labour - didnt take anything, first stage 16.5 hours, second stage 15 minutes.

REbecca's labour - first stage 4.5 hours, second stage 3 minutes!

not really a control group, unless they take a "dummy" of the RLT though is it?

control would be nothing, dummy would be to see if a placebo effect? You should have all three groups

But I'm probably way out, been a long time!

no bundle you're quite right,I meant to put "controls" as that is how they are described in the report. no, it's not exactly clinical evidence for sure.

and I think most 2nd labours are quicker

Rachey - I would give the capsules/tablets a go. you have nothing to lose, and they won't do any harm as long as you don't start taking them too early. Check to instructions on the brand you get but I'm sure 35 weeks would be safe

i thought rct would be where neither the patients nor the researchers knew who was on active, who was on dummy treatment, therefore another kind of drink should be provided.

yes it's not a random controlled trial! but it is the only study I could find.
it has been used by women for centuries though.

I'm not saying it's not active, lots of herbal things are incredibly active which is why I think a proper trial would help people who want to use it.

Thanks for the advice, it certainly can't do any harm so I think I will give em a try!

You have to take 6 a day and they are huge!!!

Also sometimes you burp and can taste them too

i took them and they made me really sick (well sicker) s stopped taking them but think they helped as labour was only 3.5 hours

I have just worked for a herbalist who told me that the tablets are a waste of time and contrary to popular belief you should take it from 6months onwards.... make of that what you will.
He says taking it like most people do is a waste of time ! (and money)