Raspberry leaf tea capsules

[Jenjen85]

I'm currently 35 weeks and just wondering when to start taking the capsules? Iv read anywhere between 35-38 weeks but I'm not sure when I should start. Has anyone taken them and had a quick/easy labour? How many capsules do you take? I'm not really keen on the idea of drinking the tea as I don't like tea so thought the capsules are a better option.

I'd check with your midwife. Mine said not before 38 weeks as with some people it is very effective in starting labour. Previously I thought I'd start at 36 weeks but I'm now going to wait.

I started at 37 weeks, but i was very confused by all the conflicting advice! I do know they take a little time to get into your system so i wouldn't wait much past 38 weeks if you can. I am now 39+1 and I am taking 4-5 capsules a day, though you can take up to six. As far as i was aware though they don't actually start you off with labour, they simply assist with strengthening the uterus so you have a shorter 'active' stage. Certainly i have had no issues with them, no signs of false labour or anything? i am really praying they work, as i am dreading the birth! Best of luck to us all ! x

I started taking them at 34w. They do not bring on labour (although they are not recommended in the 1st trimester). They tone the uterus for more effective contractions and it is suggested they shorten the 2nd stage of labour.

I've got the capsules from Holland & Barret (400mg) and I take 3 a day. You can take up to 6 a day though. I take 1 before every meal as I find that taking them after a meal or on an empty stomach gives me indigestion.

Also I took them with my first pregnancy and I did have a quick labour (3 hours), however I do not know if that was to do with the raspberry leaf. I had a condition that can cause quick labours so that may have had more to do with it.

Yep rreow i've got the same capsules - much easier to take than the tea! Ooh i hope i have a quick labour (this is my first)!

I started taking 2 a day from 36 weeks. Am now 38 weeks and trying to remember to take 3 or 4.
To reiterate what some have said - I understood that they don't bring on labour - they are just good for the uterus and may be helpful for that muscle/organ (not sure of my medical terminology!) during labour.

Good to know my midwife is talking crap!

I started taking them at 36 weeks - taking 1 a day and gradually increasing to 5 or 6 a day by 39-40 weeks. They didnt bring on labour (dc1 came 4 days late) but i had a very short active stage (only 1 hour long) - the mw in the hospital was shocked that it all happened so quickly as it was my first baby. I cant definitely say that the rl contributed to it being so short but i believe it did (as well as keeping up the gym until the day before dc1 came). I will definitely be taking them again for dc2 as having such a short labour was great (albeit very intense!).

I took these during my second and third pgs, and while I found they had no noticeable effect during labour (DC1, 12 hours, forceps, epidural, DC2, 5 hours, just g&a, DC3, induced, epidural) they definitely made the after pains with DC2 & 3 a lot more bearable.

With DS (dc1) I was I tears with some of the pain. I remember asking the midwife who came to see me when DD2 was 5 days old why I wasn't having after pains, she was shocked when she tried to find my uterus and told me it was pretty much back to normal.

Hi, I took them from 36 weeks, and had a very easy labour, 2 hours slight pain, 4 hours proper labour till DS was born. Will definitely be taking this time!