RRL tea with a history of fast/intense labor?

[snowmom5]

I'm trying to decide whether to try some RRL tea - there's been some in my cabinet forever. Here's the scenario: 38 weeks, cervix is ready to go (as of two days ago, it was soft, 2.5 cm dilated, 50% effaced; since then, lots more mucus discharge, so maybe more progress), two days ago, baby was up at -3 and seems to be posterior still (LOP). Hoping for my fourth vbac. Contractions sporadic but occasionally strong, nothing unusual about that for me. I'm anticipating that I'll probably have this baby within a week, maybe even a few days, who knows; the sooner the better i guess (hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying this)

My last labor was fast and intense. 5 hours total; less than 90 minutes from 5 cm to birth. No break between contractions whatsoever in terms of pain. Could hardly breathe, it was so intense (breathing became one of the primary things I was focusing on, by necessity). Capped it off with the fetal ejection reflex. At least it was efficient, but it was violent, and I was left shaking so much that I literally couldn't hold my baby right after.

So, I don't think I want any sort of increase in intensity with this birth as compared to the last one - I wonder if that's even possible - it was scary enough as it was (felt like I was about to pass out, etc.). Would RRL tea add to the intensity? Or make the contractions "easier"?

(ETA: I'm also on heparin and have a slight case of GD, if either is relevant to RRL tea)

[wombatclay]

There's a nice (short) discussion of RRL in pregnancy here with a few citations. Given that one of the claims often made for RRL is that it makes contractions more effective though it may not be something you'd want to try given your history since it sounds like your contrcations were pretty dang effective!

You might want to consider picking up some homeopathic arnica (for physical trauma like bruising or tearing) and aconite (for emotional trauma like shock). Or some Bach remedies like Star of Bethlehem (for shock) or Olive (for relief following extreme physical/emotional effort). Those would be things I'd want on hand if I had that sort of extreme birth experience.

Do you have the Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkin? There are some position ideas for slowing down precipitous labor and regulating contractions that might apply!

Good luck and happy birthing!

[GearGirl]

Snowmom,

I have the same type of births, and # 2 was about 5 hours just as you described, but # 3 was only about 2 hours, and unbelievably intense. I drank some RRL tea, but not regularly, so I'm not sure if that led to it being more rapid and intense or not. I also tried hypnobabies, but it was just too intense and fast to even try to put myself into that state. I don't know why my body gives birth like this, but it is unbelievably intense not to have ANY break between contractions. I definitely wish you the best with your birth!

[_betsy_]

Both of my labors were fast, intense and violent. I was walking around 100% effaced and up to 5 cms. for WEEKS before having both babies. Without ever feeling a thing. The first was induced with Pitocin for no good reason. It was fast, an hour and 48 minutes from water being broken by my OB to baby being born. I was basically in transition the whole time, no break, no build up in intensity, no chance for my body to get a break, or to figure out how to cope. Just intense, painful, but FAST.

My second, very similar beginning. Midwife kept assuring me baby was going to come any day now, a month early. My water broke, fast, intense, no breaks, just like the first time around. Baby was born in 1 hour and 8 minutes, and that was with the cord wrapped around her neck twice, slowing her down. No Pitocin that time, but I did regularly drink RRL tea at my MW's suggestion.

I'm not sure the RRL tea will do much for you one way or the other this "late in the game."

[claddaghmom]

I drank 3-5cups of RRL tea everyday of my pregnancy from almost the very beginning.

I was in labour for 3 days....

That being said, it was rather tasty and I had a blend w/ some other herbs/nutrients in it so I will be doing it again.

[happydoulamama]

I drank RRL through my 2nd pregnancy with no effects whatsoever. Had a 12 hour labor. I drank some in my 3rd pregnancy, and had lots of cramping and after a 2-hour premature labor scare at 34 wks, noted that my cramps/contractions were correlated with the RRL tea (only happened on the day I drank it). So I stopped. And so did the contractions.

Then I did drink some just shy of 40 weeks to see if I could get things going. I had a cup before bed and a romp in the sack, both around 11-12. At 1:30 I woke up with contractions back to back, and 2 hours later they were relentless. I had her at 6am (so 4.5 hours). I don't know if it was the RRL or not...but I know now that I'm not drinking it until term next time, just in case, and even then watered down to try to not effect the pace of my labor. I couldn't stay on top of my contractions to say the least!

[Robinna]

my 2nd labour was fast & furious (75 minutes, 10 contrax, no pattern ever until pushing). I drink RRL pg or not so no idea if it had any effect on it...

[columbusmomma]

I drank it with DD but would not call my labor fast or furious! I was hoping...ha-ha, even drinking it on the way to the hospital!

[mamato3cherubs]

In my opinion, RRL is not "stong" or "potent" enough for an instant, or distinctive effect. If that makes sense. It generally is good toning nutrition for the smooth muscles, including the uterus. It is not going to act as the Cohoshes may and bring on contractions, or strengthen them on the spot as other herbs or drugs may.

Many avoid it during the first trimester as you should avoid any drugs or herbs that early. But it can be used throughout the rest of pregnancy, and should not bring on or speed up labor actually. It will help the uterine muscles do their job and not peter out.

With your situation, I do not think you would find any adverse effects. Stengthening the uterus doesn't mean you are going to be over stimulating it. And RRL is yummy!

[Izzy's Mom]

I think in your shoes I'd skip the RRL tea. I used RRL tea A LOT during my last pregnancy/labor. My first labor (VBAC/second child) I did not and had a long labor and pushing phase, so I used the tea to try and kick things up a bit the next time. I went from a 19hr labor to around 5 hrs and way increased intensity. I'd be very hesitant to risk it in your shoes, even though usually RRL needs regular usage and time to have really full effects.

Good luck whatever happens - happy VBAC vibes!

Laurie, mom of 3 boys (1 csection for breech, two successful VBACs!)

[littlebb]

I've been using RRL both in tea and tincture form and have had BH contractions my entire PG. Pretty much everyone who's been a client of my midwife has used it their entire PG, too. It's my understanding that it's more effective for toning the uterus to make labor more efficient, but based on my conversations with other women who have already birthed, most of them did not have fast and furious labors even in using RRL. The fast and furious part sounds to me that it's just your body's way of birthing. I can understand your hesitancy to use it, though, given your history. And I agree with PP that sporadic use of RRL doesn't really do much (other than antioxidant benefits maybe), but consistent and longer-term use is what really affects the body.

[Harmony08]

I drank a ton of RRL and labored for 40 hours, pushed for 4. Oh well. I was told that I had really intense and long contractions though. I'm never touching the stuff again.