Raspberry leaf tea question

[dubhreubel]

I'm 33 weeks, and curious about proper use... I used it from maybe 30w on with my DD but when I asked my midwife about it today, she said she likes for people to wait until 36 weeks to start it. Something about wanting the baby safely head down before encouraging contractions?

I love the taste, and was looking forward to drinking it instead of all the water I have been drinking, so I'm a little curious... I was also under the impression that it didn't cause contractions (I don't get a lot of BH anyways, even when nursing my DD) just strengthened and toned the uterus... And, that it needed to be started sooner to get any effects.

I'm really just looking for opinions and information, I'm curious, I see my midwife again in two weeks, so if I needed to, I could bring it back up then.

ETA: Oh, and any information about RRL and nursing would be a plus too, since I'm soon to have two nurslings at once and wouldn't mind continuing the tea postpartum as well.

[Nanette56]

There are a ton of different opinions about the RRL. It was confusing to me when I first started reading about it.

My M/W gave it to me at 10 weeks because of horrible m/s. I drank weak infusions for a couple of days, and then read up on it, and decided to wait until now (second tri) to begin drinking it again. I don't think it "encourages contractions" though? From everything I've read/heard on here it seems that most people think its main benefit is to strengthen the uterus, and therefore make for a quicker/easier delivery.

I also think the strength of the tea makes a difference. Many people start it in the second tri, weaker infusions 1-2 cups a day, and then increase to 2-3 stronger ones in the 3rd tri. But if you search the archives (maybe the last week or so) there is an RRL thread, they have a lot of info on it

ETA: Here ya go mama! http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=347728

[dubhreubel]

Thank you! I might have the baby before I have the time to read that thread though lol.

I think I'm going to have to decide what I'm comfortable with on this one... I can't imagine a cup a day would be a problem for me...

[AZgirl2207]

FWIW, the owner of my local herb shop drank a gallon of RRL every day of her pregnancy and went to 41 weeks. I drink it throughout PG and I think it helps me (2 pushes, 1 week of PP bleeding for the PG when I drank RRL vs 4 hours of pushing, 6 weeks of PP bleeding with no RRL). I don't find that RRL gives me BH unless it's super strong (can't see through it) and my stomach is empty.

[dubhreubel]

hmm, thanks! I did have my first cup last night (strong too) and no issues... I really only get BH when I overdo something and exhaust myself...

The other thing is, BH aren't dangerous are they? Most women get plenty (Mine were uncomfortable but painless with DD, it was obvious when they turned to "real" contractions lol) and the ones I have had have been quick and painless, and only once did they get frequent (every 20 minutes for an hour and a half... I had cleaned the whole house and rearranged furniture lol, I should have known better....) Are there any concerns about BH before baby is in position? Baby bean is still flipping a lot... head down yesterday, sideways today *sigh*