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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Raspberry Leaf Tea

16 replies

missyfafa · 13/04/2010 18:51

Anybody know anything about raspberry leaf tea, when to start it and if it's any good? Also any other useful stuff to take, apart from multi vits?

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morethemerrier · 13/04/2010 19:03

Not sure about the Rasberry Leaf tea, but I take Arnica tablets for bruising and swelling after the birth.

Can't remember the dose, but seem to remember that you need to take it within a certain time of/during labour for max effect!

What I DO remember is that it definately made a difference in the recovery, and was a lot more comfortable than after my first birth!

Health shop will be able to advise on doseage, good luck! HTH X

sweetkitty · 13/04/2010 19:19

I don't know what is actually recommended as there are no official guidelines but I take 6 capsules a day from 34 weeks until delivery.

Also take arnica after the birth

Emsie84 · 13/04/2010 22:16

I took it from around 36 weeks and DS was 4 day early, not sure if the tea had anything to do with it but you never know. Try google for more info

LadyCressida · 13/04/2010 22:47

I think the tea is a lot less strong than the tablets. I have started drinking a cup a day from 33 weeks on the advice of a friend who swears by it!

SweetGrapes · 13/04/2010 23:17

I drank a couple of cups a day from about 34 weeks. Had a VBAC at 42. Don't know if it helped - but it didn't seem to do any harm.

sweetkitty · 14/04/2010 08:11

I have taken the 6 tablets from 34 weeks in 4 pregnancies.

Have been 37+5, 4h20m, 41+5 2h30m, 40+5 1h35m and will let you know in about 3 weeks the next one.

Don't know if it works really but it doesn't do any harm and even if it shaves 5 mins off labour time it's a bonus

KaffaCakes · 15/04/2010 11:59

I've been on the tea (loose leaf tea) the past few days, does anyone know if tablets are more effective? One cup a day until 36 weeks then as much as I can handle!

What with two iron tablets, multi vitamins and spatone a day I'm starting to sounds like a maraca...

MumNWLondon · 15/04/2010 12:03

tablets much more effective than the leaf which tastes yucky!

would have to drink multiple cups a day of tea to get impact of a couple of tablet. apparentlty safe to start drinking tea from 32-34 weeks.

supposed to shorten labour, it does not bring it on. taking the tablets gives me BH though.

GJ91 · 15/04/2010 12:32

I have some raspberry leaf tea bags which I got from Holland&Barrat. They contain raspberry leaf, blackberry leaf, rosehip, (real)raspberries and apple i think .... but the majority of them is raspberry leaf.
I like the taste of them with a bit of sugar or honey, but each to their own. I imagine they taste a damn sight better than just raspbery leaf.

The box says to be avoided in early pregnancy, no specific time frame.
I know they are meant to tone your uterus and have been shown in some studies to reduce the pushing stage of labour. Don't get your hopes up that they will induce labour as this is not what they are supposed to do.
I also read somewhere something about erducing bleeding after birth ?

If worse comes to worse and they do absolutely nothing for you pregnancy wise, they contain lots of good vitamins and calcium which is good i guess!

sweetkitty · 15/04/2010 15:39

Kaffacakes - at the moment I am taking 6 raspberry leaf tablets, multivit, 2 calcium tablets, fish oil tablet, spatone, acid reflux tablet, 3 cocodamols and 3 paracetamols a day, I rattle when I walk.

mummytime · 16/04/2010 09:02

Just don't over do the tea! I was warned this, but ignored it, with number 3. Had a 1 hour labour (sounds good doesn't feel as good), and was only that long because the Ambulance drivers helped me not push with Gas and Air.

The nicest tip for bringing on labour was fresh pineapple. I don't think it did anything but at least it tasted nice.

CEOD · 16/04/2010 20:12

Aren't you supposed to only drink raspberry leaf tea in the last three weeks before the due date?

JimJammum · 17/04/2010 11:22

You are not supposed to have until after 35 weeks as it softens cervix (therefore risking early labour if taken too early). Max 3 cups per day. My friends swear by it as they all had short labours, and tbh mine was pretty easy too until he got stuck and had to come out through the sunroof. Could just be a placebo though, but can't hurt to try surely?

Original poster

missyfafa · 18/04/2010 09:47

As I understood it, it just tones the cervix and is not supposed to bring on labour. I don't want to go in to labour just yet, am only 33 weeks!

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sweetkitty · 18/04/2010 09:50

This is the fourth time I have taken it (am 37+4 today) IME it doesn't bring on labour, my last two were overdue including one that was 12 days over, in the last week I took 8 tablets a day and nothing.

thumbwitch · 18/04/2010 10:09

here is my experience of using raspberry leaf tea and pills - hope it helps.

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