Raspberry leaf tea...

[Katie4realzzz]

I am 37 weeks pregnant and bought some raspberry leaf tea to try as I've heard it can help speed things up a bit. Although, when I tried a cup today I found the taste absolutely foul and couldn't drink it! Can anyone tell me if it does work and is worth putting up with the foul taste?!

I'd heard it makes contractions more effective and speeds the second stage.

Drank it in last pregnancy from 35 weeks (2-3 cups a day) and did have a short 2nd stage (15 minutes), despite being induced and, therefore, not as active as I would have liked.

I'm now 39+5 with DC2 and have been drinking RLT since 31 weeks. The tea may not have had anything to do with my relatively easy labour last time, but I'm not taking any chances!

I don't mind the taste though!

you can get tablets rather than the tea if you don't like the flavour

I didn't drink it with DS (DC1), but did with DD (DC2) and not sure whether it had any effect on labour, but it did make the afterpains with DD a lot more bearable.
I am now drinking 2-3 cups a day between gaviscon & vomiting as am 37 weeks with DC 3

I put honey in mine to make it taste better! Drank it with DC1 and 2 and think it helped. Both labours were straightforward. Currently 36 weeks with DC 3 and have been drinking it for a couple of weeks, although have just run out of tea and honey!

knitting didn't know that about the after pains, but that has cheered me right up! I'm dreading them more than labour! Just need the baby to make an appearance now!

I've never tried the tea, but have been taking RLT capsules building up for two to six a day from 32 weeks. I got mine from Holland and Barratt. Am now 39+5 so hopefully will be able to let you know of it works any day now!

I drank it with dc1 and labour was only 3 1/2 hours from start to finish! Sounds good but it was intense and scary. Could have been a coincidence but I wouldn't risk it again.

I'm taking the capsules and also drinking a tea that is red raspberry leaf AND raspberry so it's actually a nice fruity flavour. I got both of these from Holland & Barrett.
If it's loose tea leaves you have perhaps try this recipe:
www.hypnobirthingutah.com/how-to-make-red-raspberry-leaf-tea/

www.hypnobirthingutah.com/how-to-make-red-raspberry-leaf-tea/

I found putting a dash of blackcurrant squash in it made it much more bearable, made me feel like I was doing something to prepare for birth and they were straightforward and fairly quick both times so worth persevering in my opinion!

I'm 38 weeks today, been drinking this one: tinyurl.com/rltea Tastes fine, just vaguely leafy. Here's hoping it works! :)

I've got RLT infused with apple which tastes quite nice. I bought mine online from the place I hired my tens machine from.