Raspberry leaf tea

[bethany112]

Hi guys,

Has anyone had any positive experiences with drinking raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy? Does it work?

Also, when can you start drinking it? I'm currently 33+3.

Thanks :)

I drank it in my final two weeks and had a fairly easy due date baby. Can't say it was the tea though.

This was on Jeremy Vine health expert bit yesterday. She couldn't express more that she thinks it's dangerous and would never ever recommend it

You will be able to find the show to listen on bbc radio 2 site I think

I’ve been having it for a few weeks after checking with midwife - I’m at 36 weeks now - who knows if it makes any impact though! Berries in general are great for your health though so maybe!

It's not something that is meant to bring on labour, it's more to tone your uterus to make your contractions and pushing stage more effective. I used it in both of my pregnancies from about 32 weeks - drinking one cup a day, then gradually upping it to 2 cups by 37 weeks then 2-3 cups at 39 weeks. Both labours began spontaneously and were intervention free.

What reasons did the person on Jeremy Vine give for saying it's dangerous? I understood it can cause BHs but it doesn't actually do anything that causes labour to begin?

Berries in general are great for your health Raspberry leaf tea is made from the leaves of the raspberry plant. So nothing to do with berries.

I’m 38 weeks tomorrow and started a cup a day last week. Can’t imagine what’s dangerous about it!

No idea, drank loads from about 32 weeks and had easy labours both times - hardly a scientific study

Also yes, this. Raspberry leaf tea is made from the leaves of the raspberry plant. So nothing to do with berries.

Raspberry fruit tea is not Raspberry leaf tea. It'll actually be called Raspberry Leaf Tea/Red Raspberry Leaf Tea.

I totally rate it, but the extract, not tea. Last month of pregnancy, twice daily. You can buy R.L. extract in Holland and Barratt. Both my babies were born naturally, just before their due date, 6 hour labour and 2.5 hour labour which I put down to it!!!

I took it with DS from I think 35 weeks, I got the tablets, one a day I think and then 2 a day from 37 weeks. Had a fairly easy, spontaneous labour with him. I have no idea if it had anything to do with the tea though! I will do the same with my current pregnancy (Same due date as you OP!!).

I look the capsules (much stronger) from 37 weeks. DD was born my EMCS due to failure to progress durring labour.

I had my DC 20+ years ago and I think the advice regarding raspberry leaf was different then. I drank it from 16 weeks both pregnancies. My MIL swore by it - she said she and all her sisters drank it and all had easy labours.

I managed to find the dried leaf in one of those old fashioned herbalists that probably don't exist now. Never heard it was "dangerous". I drank an infused cup per day every day. Tasted like dried hedgerow!

Anyway, both labours were ridiculously easy. Started spontaneously, didn't have to push, quick 2nd stage, no tearing, minimal pain relief that I could quite easily have managed without. Was it the tea? Was it the hours I spent in the gym? Luck? Dunno, but I have been advising DD to use it ever since she was old enough to start talking about having babies one day!

I understand many women use it without issue. I think you can't predict complications and therefore they don't recommend it as it alters the body's natural processes. Just copied this from the NHS website.

When should you avoid raspberry leaf tea?
. If your previous labour lasted three hours or less from start to finish
. You are going to have a planned caesarian section for a medical reason
. You have had a caesarian section before
. You have had a premature labour before
. You have had any vaginal bleeding in the second half of your pregnancy
. You have a family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, endometriosis or fibroids
. You are expecting a baby who is breech
. You have any complications or health problems in your pregnancy, including high blood pressure
. You are expecting twins.

I drank it in first pregnancy- over due baby, was induced, had forceps the lot.
Didn't drink with 2nd child- spontaneous labour, reasonably easy water birth.

I drank it from 37 weeks with DD. She was 10 days overdue but I had a quick and easy birth. Don’t know if it was the tea but I’ll be drinking it again when the time comes.

theirs been a link between drinking this tea and increased risk of post partum haemorrhage.
I drank it once a day during my first pregnancy from 32 weeks (gave birth at 36 weeks). I suffered a severe PPH and required several blood transfusions and a week in hospital.
I will not be touching the stuff in this pregnancy!

There's *

I'm 38 weeks and just started drinking it!
I hate it hot as it smells like sick but I'm trying to drink it cold! What can I add to it to make it nicer?!

To the poster above, just get Raspberry Leaf extract tablets from the health food shop. Much easier than tea and just as effective.

I drank it in that last two weeks, had two natural deliveries didn’t need any pain relief- no gas & air had 10hrs & 2.5hrs labours.

Good luck OP.

I drank it to soften everything and make labour smoother.
One fourth degree tear later, not totally convinced it worked for me

Hi,

I drank raspberry leaf tea during the end of my first pregnancy, I delivered at 39+2 - I did dilate quick quickly but I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the tea or not. Im certainly going to drink it again this time around too..