raspberry leaf tea. Remind when you can start.

[threecurrantbuns]

You you've think I could remember being as this is my fourth pregnancy but, no can't remember at all.

I know it isn't recommended before a certain week but can remember what the week is
???

32 weeks I think? Not sure though.

Thanks, I thought I must be 30 something weeks. Only 29 at the Mo

I started at 34 weeks, one cup a day, then as the weeks went on, got to about 36 weeks. 2 cups a day. but mostly one cup a day really x

What does Raspberry Leaf tea actually do in any case? Since getting pg I've been given three boxes of the stuff but no idea what it's really for!!!

My midwife said not until 37 weeks.

My midwife said the same as LoveIneAColdClimate's - not until 37 weeks...

Raspberry leaf improves the tone of the uterus, making contractions more effective and reduce risk of PPH. It also has lots of antioxidants. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't induce labour in normal circumstances.
The tea isn't very tasty, if you don't like it you can get capsules.

I got mine as a blend (raspberry leaf and fruit), that way it didn't taste as awful.

32 weeks.

Did me sod all good. For all the apparent toning it does, I had 17hrs of syntocinon ctx followed by an atonic uterus, PPH and retained placenta. Will save my money this time round!

I had two cups at 36 weeks.

DD turned up about 12 weeks after the second cup.

I suspect that might just be coincidence, though!

(Mind you, next time round I'm leaving it later before I start on the RLT....)

I started it quite early last time (don't remember when, but prior to 30wks) and had DD at 32wks. I wasn't allowed to have any during the five days before birth that I was in hospital, although the m/ws said that there is no proof it brings on labour, they weren't taking any chances.

It tastes kinda like fish, but you get used to it. Will leave a bit longer before I start downing the stuff this time

i started drinking one cup a day a couple of weeks ago (at 35) i increased to 2 cups a day this week and have been getting loads more braxton hicks. I saw the MW yesterday and she says best to leave until 37 weeks as although it will not bring on labour, it can make your uterus a bit 'twitchy', which can be uncomfortable, if you are more susceptible to it than others. So i'm going to leave it until next week then crack on. I'm hoping for a home birth so don't want anything to happen before 37 weeks or they'll prefer me to go to hospital - so not taking any chances! Baby can come whenever she likes after next Sunday!

I am drinking the Clipper Raspberry Leaf infusion which I thought was nice, it has hibiscus and rosehip in too, quite fruity and i think pretty drinkable.

MW also said could start taking evening primrose at 37 weeks too as it may help 'ripen the cervix' and in general is good for women. I'll give any of these natural things a go.

I got calsuels as tea.is,pretty rough I,started those about 30-31 weeks last time it didnt make my 2nd nd 3rd stage of labour more efficient at all it was the opposite but I did drink gallons of the tea the day before I went into labour at 38+6!!?? X

I've just started, at 38 weeks. Was too nervous to start any earlier, although midwife said 34 weeks would be ok. Have drunk about 5 or 6 big cups over the last 4 days and have definitely felt more Braxton hicks. I drink it iced with sugar - yum!

I am drinking it as i type...1 cup a day at 32w, 2 at 33w, 3 at 34w and now doing the max dose of 4 at 35 weeks til baby comes...bizarrely i get lots more BH whilst drinking and for an hour or two after, so something is working.
I also started the evening primrose oil at 34 weeks...swallowing 3x capsules a day, when i hit 37w i will also break a capsule and attempt to apply direct to cervix (midwifes advice as my babies have all been late so far).
I am really hoping that THIS time i wont be doing a 'so many days over, hold my hand' post as i have before.

Ahem, just read back my post.

12 weeks...?? Nope. 12 hours.

Well I drank lots with my previous 3. Had fairly short labours and no complications.

1st labour 4 hours. 20min second stage

2nd labour 1.5 hours, 10min second stage

3rd labour 1 hour, second stage 4min.

All labours really Sunni intense contractions. And pre labour weeks lots of strong bh.

Maybe all coincidence at. Planning on drinking again.

Don't think it tastes too bad myself

*strong intense
*but planning

I was drinking pitcherfuls of iced RLT when overdue with DS1.

I had such strong contractions and short labour that the MW in the delivery suite asked if I'd been drinking it.

Thing is don't want a long labour but not sure I want another hour one from start to finish. Was so painful and intense.

Even mw said it is better a bit long as it's such a shock to your body when it's really quick.

Saying that they said I was pushing for 4 minutes, was the longest four bloody minutes I've ever experienced.

I started drinking around the 34/35week mark....

First labour 40+5.
Very quick, 2nd stage was 22mins.
I found the contractions VERY intense but managable with no pain relief.
However, 2hrs after birth I had PPH of 1000mls, and 'ragged' placenta. but all was fine within a few hours and a drip for hydration.

at the time, I didnt feel anything was wrong, but it was after when they said that you was borderline transfusion :s

I hope PPH doesnt happen again this time

BUT they also said that it could have been caused by any of the following (big baby, small mummy, waters bulging and only broke when DD's head came out, and fast delivery)

its definately 32 weeks onwards unless you are high rish for pre term labour, then i wouldnt te til 37/40. Theres lots of false info about raspberry leaf around. It doesnt put you into labour, but it tones the uterus so labour is more effective. Slowly building up from 32 weeks is the best way to use it.

I can't remember when I started last time, hence clicking on this thread. As it happens my labour went fairly fast for a first time, but due to DD being back to back the second stage lasted 2 hours (well 1 hour 59 minutes ).
I'll check with my mw at my 34 week appt in a week and a half. Am due at the end of March, so it can't hurt to start it at the beginning of March is my thinking. DD was 10 days overdue, too.