When should I start drinking rasberry leaf tea? It helps ... right?!

[poohbearrules]

Hi all, I'm 33 weeks with number 1 and been having braxton hicks for a few weeks, getting gradually stronger and stronger. I've heard that raspberry leaf tea helps with contractions, or is it another old wives tale?! When should I start drinking it?

TIA

I will watch with interest 33 weeks here too ! With third dc

Hi Pooh

I started taking the tablets at 34 weeks, currently 37+4 so I don't know if they work!

It's supposed to make your contractions stronger/more efficient

Frog

www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/raspberryteaeaselabourexpert/

I took it from 36,4. Had very easy birth, once ds turned from back to back, i slept until i woke up needing to push, 1hour later baby born after 20mins in hospital. No pain relief. Did have irregular contractions all the way through, don't know if that was cos of tea or not.
Would definitely drink it again, though perhaps not so much, i had over a litre a day most days.
Btw ds born 38.2.
Hth

I'm 40+1 and have been drinking it for two weeks - nothing here I'm afraid :(

Thanks very much for the link. Seeing consultant on Fri so will just check its ok, can't see why not though.

Penguins - I would love to have a labour like yours. Here's hoping!!

I started taking it at 32 weeks, started on 1 cup a day, then increased an extra daily cup each week. DS born on my due date, labour was 8 hours start to finish (2.5 hours pushing) despite DS being back to back which usually means a much longer labour. I was only pushing for so long due to angle DS was at, I will definitely do same again next time!

Oh, and keep drinking a cup each day after labour to shrink your womb back down!

33 weeks here too! Can you let us know what your consultant says?? Anyone else getting terrible backache?

I have taken 6 tablets a day from 33 weeks with all 4 of my DC!

It's not supposed to kick start labour but help tone your uterus, my longest labour was 4hours, shortest 45 mins. Don't know if it helped at all but even it it shaved 5 mins off I would have been happy IYSWIM. My labours were all very fast, very painful with no let up in contractions. Could just be my body though.

Oh no1 born at 37+5, no2 41+5, no3 40+5 and no4 on due date

I drank this from 36 weeks with my first and I wnt overdue, was induced and had a 3 day labour...........................I'm currently 36 weeks and am going to give it another go I think starting tomorrow........................you never know it might work this time?????????

Second labours usually always easier

Spoke to midwife last night at antenatal class and asked her about raspberry leaf tea. She said to drink no more than 3 cups a day and start at 37 weeks. Going to give it a go, don't know if it'll help but certainly can't do any harm!!