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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

17 replies

mower · 25/05/2006 10:14

Just had a long relaxing bath with radox bubbles then I looked at what was in the radox and it had extracts of raspberry leaf.

In my last pregnancy I swear raspberry leaf tablets made me go into labour (on time though). I hope the bath bubbles don't do anything bad this time, am only 16 weeks. Am I being ridiculus?

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shazronnie · 25/05/2006 10:23

Prob such a tiny amount that you shouldn't worry, but i am sure you have to take the raspberry leaf internally, so don't drink the bubbles!

Gloworm · 25/05/2006 10:46

agree, there is probably such a small amount in it you should worry abut it.
however I would probably err on the side of caution and not use it anymore. (likewise for any bubble bath with aromatherapy oil in)

trix1 · 05/06/2006 09:09

Can someone explain to me what raspberry leaf does in pregnancy. Does it start your labour? when are you to start taking it?

Coolmama · 05/06/2006 19:22

IIRC - Rasberry leaf tea is supposed to help tone the uterus and make the contractions more powerful and therefore more effective - is absolutely not to be taken before 36 or 38 weeks - TBH - I tried it, but didn't like the taste and although I persevered, I couldn't tell whether it made a difference or not.

sunnyside · 05/06/2006 22:58

i took raspberry leaf tea supplements after discussing with obstetrician, she reckoned that they'd be fine after 34 weeks and I managed to birth the boy without any tearing or need for episiotomy. I'll never know if the supplements helped but seeing as they were deemed to be doing no harm then seemed worth the effort. It was one tablet per day! I think they were 600mg.

Notquitesotiredmum · 06/06/2006 09:35

I used Raspberry Leaf tea from 36 weeks on and had a fantastically easy second labour. Not sure if it was the tea, but I think that it helped.

pupuce · 06/06/2006 09:38

Raspberry Leaf tea… there is a lot of misconception out there about the tea!
It is a uterine tonic - therefore, it’s not taken until the third trimester, starting with 2 cups per day, building up over a few weeks to 3-4 cups per day. It can also be taken during labour to help build efficient contractions but it is NOT meant to help women who want to “induce themselves”… it does not ripen the cervix !
Tea or tincture are generally better absorbed than tablets, and more bio-available. However this needs to be balanced out against whether the individual is more likely to take tablets versus making tea regularly! The tablets are moderately useful... but better to take tea.
This is all from a friend herbalist!
Mower - do NOT worry {smile]

wrinklytum · 06/06/2006 10:18

Im sure the amount in the bubblebath is miniscule so try not to worry.I have to say I tried raspberry leaf tea and had three cups on my due date as I was willing to try anything as so enormous and peed off.Baby arived the next day very quick labour 1.5 hours from start to finish almost had her in hospital car park,all 9lb 3oz of her.No tears or owt.Dunno if it had anything to do with raspberry leaf tea or she was just ready to come but at the time felt it had helped!!!

bramblina · 06/06/2006 11:04

My midwife is also an arometherapist and in to all things alternative- ahe advised me that 1 cup per day from 18 wks, 2 cups per day from 32 wks and any amount from 35 wks is fine. I had 4 previous mc's which she was aware of and she was still confident to give me that advice. The tea stimulates circulation around the uterus and strengthens what it can, therefore apparently increasing the effectiveness of contractions. I had a 14 hr good steady progressive labour and will certainly drink the tea next time too. Though for a 1st I don't think it made any difference to the length of my labour, but the whole birth was quite "textbook" really.

poppiesinaline · 06/06/2006 11:14

I drank raspberry leaf tea from 36 weeks in my 3rd pregnancy. The birth was very fast, and very painful (no tearing though :) ) Was 2 days early (but was 10 days early with 1st two and didnt take the tea with those). No idea if it made a difference or not. I suppose there is no way of telling. I dont know what the labour would have been like if I had not drunk the tea.

Bugsy2 · 06/06/2006 12:09

Drank up to 4 cups per day in both pregnancies from 36 weeks onwards. One labour was over 20 hours & I needed instrumental delivery & one labour was less than 2 hours long. One labour was on due date & one was induced two weeks late. So no conclusive proof from me on its efficacy.
Can't see how a bath in the stuff could possibly be anything to worry about!

MummyToToby · 07/06/2006 16:52

where do u get this tea from? can u get it at the supermarket?

Original poster

mower · 07/06/2006 20:29

You can get it from health food shops. I drank it from about 34 weeks then took one tablet of it one day after my due date (also available from health shops) and my waters broke that day. Had a horrendous labour though ending in an emergency c section so don't know if it helped or not! Am hoping for natural birth this this and probably will drink the tea, any thing that may help!

OP posts:

MummyToToby · 08/06/2006 13:01

are the tablets better than the tea? what does it taste like?

poppy101 · 08/06/2006 13:03

Get the tea from herbal shops.

Tea is pretty foul unless you love drinking herbal tea, I couldn't stomach the tea but did carry on drinking it. Not the best drink to have. But some people love it.

MummyToToby · 08/06/2006 13:17

can you buy a small amount. don't want to buy a lot if i hate it.

BamboozlesLover · 15/06/2006 23:58

does it help prevent tearing?

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