Pregnancy - Third Trimester

x.Jo.x · Apr 28th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Hello all!

Hope you and your bumps are well!

I bought my Raspberry Leaf tea capsuals today, and it says on the back to consult your doctor if you're pregnant. How many of you you are taking Raspberry Leaf tea? How are you getting on with it? Did you ask your doctor or midwife first before taking it?

Sorry for all the questions.

Jo.xxx

toriaaaaTRASH · Apr 28th, 2008, 10:25 AM

The reason they say to consult a doctor is because they can bring on labour and I'm assuming that's why you bought them anyway?

KarenLV · Apr 28th, 2008, 10:38 AM

When can you start drinking that tea? I'm thinking of going off and buying some for later.....

KarenLV · Apr 28th, 2008, 10:41 AM

Just read this on a website:

"Its commonly believed that drinking raspberry leaf tea or taking raspberry leaf tablets will help to induce labour and as such this supplement is taken by many a pregnant woman keen to speed up their baby's arrival into the world. Unfortunately this is a misconception; raspberry leaf tea doesn't actually help to bring on labour at all. Having said this it is thought to have many other benefits for the birthing process and has been used as a labour-aid for hundreds of years"

The benefits

Raspberry leaf tea is nutrient rich and contains many of the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy including vitamins A, C, E and B, magnesium, calcium and iron. Consuming raspberry leaf tea not only helps mother and baby to get all the nutrients they need but can also help to replenish a new mothers stores after the birth.

Raspberry leaf tea also contains the alkaloid 'fragine' which is said to strengthen and tone the muscles of the uterus, helping them to contract more efficiently during labour. Research has found that taking raspberry leaf during the weeks prior to delivery helps to shorten the second stage of labour by making contractions more effective. Some studies have also found that it reduces the need for an assisted delivery (i.e. an emergency cesarean or use of forceps or ventouse).

Sipping raspberry leaf tea during and after the birth is also said to help the uterus contract back down to size, reduce after birth bleeding and help initiate the let down of breastmilk.

While there hasn't been a huge amount of research into this area, the general consensus does seem to be that drinking raspberry leaf tea during the latter stages of pregnancy can help to make for a 'better' labour with few side effects.

x.Jo.x · Apr 28th, 2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenLV

When can you start drinking that tea? I'm thinking of going off and buying some for later.....

Thank you for your replies

As far as I'm aware, it does not bring on labour, but helps with contractions and the second stage of labour.

When to take it seems to differ from website to website, but I 35 - 36 weeks seems to be the best time to start taking it.

Jo.xxx

Samantha675 · Apr 28th, 2008, 13:58 PM

I take a supplement that has Raspberry Leaf in it, and my MW is the one who told me to take it.

I have found that EVERYTHING has that warning on it now.

missjess · Apr 28th, 2008, 14:05 PM

I've started drinking raspberry leaf tea at around 37 weeks, 4-5 cups a day. I really think it helped me into labor + my belly almost shrunk back into shape now!

sonny · Apr 28th, 2008, 15:19 PM

I was really interested in getting some of this but am i being totally blonde ?
I looked in morrissons and tesco in the uk (food stores) but i cant find it anywhere.......it is in a tea bag form isn't it?
Am i being thick? can someone else in the uk tell me where they got it from and which section? thankyou

MrTashaAndBum · Apr 28th, 2008, 15:26 PM

It more softens the curvix (sp) than brings on labour... Tasha was drinking 3 cups a day of the stuff! Its also good post partum...

Mr Bum

KarenLV · Apr 28th, 2008, 15:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny

I was really interested in getting some of this but am i being totally blonde ?
I looked in morrissons and tesco in the uk (food stores) but i cant find it anywhere.......it is in a tea bag form isn't it?
Am i being thick? can someone else in the uk tell me where they got it from and which section? thankyou

I cant find it either......

Pregnancy - Third Trimester

Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry Leaf Tea