When is it safe to start taking Raspberry Leaf Tea?

[Tangas]

Hi there

I'm just wondering when is it safe to take raspberry leaf tea, and does it work?

I think it's 37 weeks as any time after that your baby is term and can be born safely. Not sure if it works - although I heard the raspberry leaf tablets are better.

I've actually heard you can take it throughout pregnancy and that it doesn't bring on labour as such but helps prepare the cervix and uterus to make labour as efficient as possible. Might be worth checking with someone a bit more qualified. I took it at the end of pregnancy. Had a long labour and ventouse delivery so don't think it helped a jot.

Nah, didn't help me either I'm afraid!

Thanks for the advise laddies, I'm 37wks now so i think i might just start taking it any way seens as I paid good money for it. Hopefully it will do something as i'm mega fed up and swollen!! lol x

Hello,

I found this on the web

www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/raspberryteaeasel abourexpert/

which basically says anytime after 36 weeks.

Aparently It tastes a bit crap so good luck hun x x

The only semi decent piece of research on this is an australian study that looked at women taking measured strengths of raspeberry leaf tablets. They found that there is in fact little definitive evidence that it is effective, but that women taking 400mcgs up to three times a day from 32 weeks had a statistically significant shorter second stage. Tbh using the tea isn't the best way of taking it as you just can't be sure of the strength etc. One of the better tablets if you want to, is the BioHealth Raspberry Leaf Extract 900mg one, and I got mine from academyhealth.co.uas postage was v cheap. Expect to pay around £7 for 60 tablets and you'll need two a day, so probably two tubs if taking from 32 weeks.