perineal massage and raspberry leaf tea questions....

[bohemianbint]

Firstly, I can't remember when to start drinking the tea - am nearly 33 weeks but that's still a bit early is it? I remember I had quite a strong reaction to it last time I was pregnant. (Braxton Hicks the first time I drank it and a mega fast labour!)

Secondly, did the whole perineal massage thing last time and had some internal tears but nothing major. (I say that now, felt bloody major at the time, but you know what I mean!) Am wondering whether it's worth the bother second time around. Will everything still be all stretched out from last time?

Thanks for any advice!

Not supposed to drink Raspberry leaf until your at your due date. My obstetrician called it jungle juice as she thought it was so effective. Of course, in my case, baby never came - had to be forcibly removed by c section!

I did perineal massage too, again ended up not being relevant. It can't do any harm?

I'm sure I started drinking it at about 36 weeks ish last time? I wonder if I wrote it down somewhere, my memory's gone...

I thought the tea thing was only for when you were at a stage in pregnancy that labour would not be a problem - around 37/8 wks onwards?? (will wait to be corrected though so don?t drink it on my say so. I am sure that is when I started the awful tea thing..

As for the massage and stretched out second time. Hmmm - personally I tore worse with DD2 than DD1. Not for want of 1st time round stretching either! However, DD2 was a lb heavier than DD1 and at an awkward angle. I guess everyone is different, there must be some pre stretching already done but not enough to stop damage for me. Also, if you did have stitches/possible scar tissue there from an episiotomy/tear last time, I wonder if this will make you more prone to further tearing or tougher so less likely?
Hmmm look forward to seeing if anyone has anything more medical to say on it. Sorry - my answer is rather unhelpful and vague

Start with just one cup / tablet daily at about 32 weeks of pregnancy ? it needs time to take effect so don?t leave it until the end of pregnancy, but also don?t take it any earlier. Allow your body to get used to the effects for a few days, then increase the dose gradually every few days until you are taking 3 ? 4 cups / tablets, spread throughout the day. You may experience strong Braxton Hicks contractions ? pregnancy
tightenings which send oxygen to your baby - especially when you first start taking raspberryleaf. If these are excessive, reduce the amount of raspberry leaf to a level at which you feel more
comfortable.

Precautions - do remember that raspberry leaf contains powerful chemicals which act in the same way as drugs ? just because it?s natural doesn?t mean it?s safe for everyone. If you?ve had a previous Caesarean, avoid raspberry leaf as it may put stress the uterine scar. Similarly if you?ve had a premature labour or very rapid labour, or any vaginal bleeding, either in this
pregnancy or a previous one, avoid raspberry leaf as it may cause contractions. It should also be avoided if you are expecting more than one baby, or have any serious pregnancy complications eg severe high blood pressure, breech baby (bottom first) or you?re due to have a planned Caesarean for specific medical reasons. If you are anaemic & have been prescribed iron tablets, you should stop the raspberry leaf as it may reduce the amount of iron (& other minerals such as
calcium & magnesium) that your body absorbs. Also avoid raspberry leaf if you?re taking antidepressants.

hey guys im 34+5 days. whats all this stuff bout perinial massage and tea? could some one please explain, im new to all this

Natalie, perineal massage is supposed to make your skin more stretchy and limit tearing. Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to prepare the uterus for labour - but like the original poster I find it does increase the frequency and strength of my Braxton Hicks contractions.

perineal massage
raspberry leaf tea

Fwiw I intended to do perineal massage first time round but never really got to grips with it so only tried a few times. I didn't tear at all that time so didn't bother second or third time either. But that's only anecdotal - my midwives still recommend it!

Perineal massage with almond oil didn't make any difference to me but mws recommend it.

I did take raspberry leaf tablets first time round but little did I know I labour fast & intense anyway! Certainly didn't take them 2nd time round (rueful )

Hi, The raspberry leaf tea i have states not to be used before 37 weeks on the box, have thought about perinial massage, but not so sure i could bloody reach!!!!!.

I was also wondering abt the perineal massage. Have tried it 3 or 4 times, but find it realy awkward and not even sure if Im doing it right? I didnt tear with my first so im very hopeful i wont tear with this one - but would like to be prepared. Any advice on the perineal massage, how do u know youve got the right spot? tht sounds silly, but (gross) how far in do u massage? And how long do u massage for? does everyone else find it terribly awkward

No way I could have done this myself. Fortunately my very understanding Dh did it for me bless him! Much easier
However, not sure it worked for me that much as I tore with both of mine, needing extensive stitching and sorting out.

Cheers for all the replies - I think I might hang fire on the tea for the time being, just because it had such a strong effect last time, and my parents are on holiday for 2 weeks and I don't want any unshceduled appearances before they get back!

Might get DH to do the massage thing then. I suppose it can't do any harm, and at least if I've done it I'll know I did what I could...

I had a quick look at the (sparse) research and perineal massage appears only to have some effect for a first timer. I didn't bother as it seemed pointless but was a bit worried that having had an episiotomy before, that i would tear. I had a waterbirth and didn't need any stitches-I honestly believe the water helped to soften/relax everything and so did my midwives.

Ahhh...I hadn't seen the first timer thing. Am aiming for a water birth this time; that was the plan last time but we couldn't get the pool up and filled in time! Heopfully that will help...