Raspberry leaf tablets

[Londongirl84]

When to take them? Why take them? All experience welcome!

Not till 38 weeks pregnant! They aren't infalible but do have a mild effect in the direction of bringing on labour. If you want to encourage things along the tablets are much less gross than rasberry leaf tea which is disgusting-tasting imo. I know lots of women who have taken them and who swear they helped, but no-one knows in their own case what would have happened without the raspberry leaf. But certainly never take it any earlier, it can have an abortificant effect too in earlier pregnangy for obvious reasons!

I'm currently 36 weeks- so definitely too early?

My midwife said I could drink the tea from 36 weeks, but maybe the tablets are a higher dose. The tea tastes quite nice I think.

Thank you for confirming that Pinkbell. I thought it was 36 weeks too.

I read somewhere the tea is more effective.... I started with one a day and built it up week by week. I think it is horrid but used to make half a cup, leave bag in for 5 mins and down it.

I think there is some evidence to suggest it is well worth a go? In any case I did it last time and had a reasonably quick labour for a first so very willing to try it again.

Just googled for you... A doctor replied to one lady

'If you do decide to try raspberry leaf tea, let your doctor or midwife know that you are planning to drink it. It will work best if you start taking the tea when you're about 32 weeks pregnant. This will give it enough time for it to build up in your body. Begin with one cup a day, gradually increasing to three cups. If you don't like the taste of the tea, you can buy raspberry leaf capsules in health food stores.'

I would read whole extract as it gives pros and cons:

www.babycentre.co.uk/x545986/can-raspberry-leaf-tea-help-to-ease-labour

I used raspberry tea with dd (can't remember when from!!) and my labour was late (4 days) but was only pushing for about 5-10 minutes!!

Thank you all so much for your pearls of wisdom. X

Also thank you feelingfatty for your useful link :)

Tesco do raspberry leaf tea with raspberry flavouring and is actually nice! My mw said one cup from 32 weeks was fine and could be upped at 36 weeks...