Raspberry Leaf Tea

[FoghornLeghorn]

Have decided I am going to try taking this time as labour with DD was pretty horrific.

What is the recommendation for when to start taking it ?

Can't remember the exact time when to start taking it, I just remember you shouldn't be taking it too early, I think I drank a couple of cups a day from about 36weeks - no idea if it worked though, I also had a long, pretty horrific labour!

Good luck though

Oh great ! Although anything has got to be better than last time.
Am going to try the tablets - have found one website says 32 weeks onwards but another says 36 so think I will hold out for the 36

I took raspberry leaf tablets from about 35 weeks with DS3. I had had pretty average labours with my first 2 sons, but I seemed to push for ever! So I took the tablets on recommendation from my fantastic MW. My labour with DS3 was smooth, pretty pain free (!) adn very very quick. I labouored for 39 minutes, and DS3 popped out after 1 big super efficient push. So I guess it worked, or it could have been coincidence. But after 2 other very long second stages, something must have made a difference

Give it a go! You havve nothing to loose. Good luck!!

Ah ha, that's made me feel better Coathanger, that's what I wanted to hear

have just started taking 2 tablets a day - am 35 weeks
also didn't take it with dd1 who was a long puuuuuuuusssssssh
dd2 was pushed out in about 10 min

Mw told me it's safe from 37 weeks (like it says on the box). Took it for ds - started in labour next day after being 8 days over. Took it again for dd from week 37 but still went 5 days over and was pretty much drinking the recommended 3 cups a day and nothing happening. Your baby will come when ready and all the tea/tablets will do is tone your uterus ready for labour.

Don't bother with the tea, go for the tablets. I had a modest 8 hour labour with my first. I took the maximum dose of tablets from week 37.

It is a myth that it brings labour on - it doesn't. Raspberry leaf is taken to make the contractions more effective. It takes weeks to kick in, hence taking it weeks before your due date. But do believe it works, so when baby does decide to come, which would have been the same had you taken raspberry leaf or not, your contractions will be better.

Glad to be of help Foghorn

Yeah, it can make labour shorter.

My mw (who I trust very much, v. experienced also an aromatherapist and all things alternative) told me you can take the tea- 1 cup a day from 28 wks, 2 cups per day from 32 wks and any amount from 35wks+, and that's what I did. I had an almost "textbook" labour and birth with ds who was my first, and I will do the same next time.