Red Raspberry Leaf Tea anyone? - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[Natalya]

Susuan Weed recommends infusions http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm  which are TONS of plant material in a bit of water. I can't remember the exact amount, but I think it's something like 1 oz of herbs for a quart of hot water...?  Yep, that's right http://www.botanical.com/site/column_susun/susun_infusions.html

[Just1More]

I finally talked to a midwife about whether or not I should drink RRL.  She said, "Oh no.  Not you."  So, that's that.  I'm going to keep drinking the celestial seasonings raspberry zinger like I always do...it does have a little of the leaf.  But, I'm not going to do more.

As far as an irritable uterus, that's usually caused by dehydration, or poor baby positioning, or the like.  The rrl, from what I understand, may initially increase bh, but as the muscles tone, it actually, reportedly, helps.  No personal experience here, though.

[Kamiro]

Just1 - I am curious why your midwife advised you not to drink it?

[Just1More]

She said that my uterus was obviously active enough on its own, and that it really could make labor even shorter and faster.  I already don't have much time to get someone to me, and couldn't get to a hospital, so it would be a bad idea for me to drink it.

[Kamiro]

Oh ok. I was wondering if it had something to do with a situation like that or if it was something to do with moms who have had multiple children. Thank you and hope you didn't think I was rude for asking!

[Plummeting]

I was thinking about this some more, and maybe I'll do it in spite of my previous precipitous labor. The only reason I'm thinking about it is because I know I have a tendency to carry GBS and anticipate being positive again. Since both times before my water has broken before labor started (only an hour before last time, but still) it's probably best for me to plan to get baby out as quickly as possible. On the other hand, precipitous labors have their own risks (collapsed lung for baby, for one) and I really want the midwife present for the birth, so I just can't decide. I'm going to have to think about it for a while. I guess since the second stage was only shortened by half or something, that's really not much worth worrying about, since my last second stage was only 10 minutes anyway, and during dd1's birth it was only 30 minutes. Ack. I hate not knowing what I'm going to do. 

[Astraia]

I'd do more research on GBS. In a lot of places (the UK, for example) I think they don't even culture for GBS until your water has been broken for about 4 hours, or if you meet certain criteria like 4 hours of ruptured membranes without labour starting, preterm baby, history of GBS. Even if you are GBS positive the chances of your baby contracting anything that serious are still quite slim.

You could also plan to do something like a hibicleanse (is that what it is?) in the days leading up to baby. I've heard of people doing it to "pass" the GBS swab test, so why not before baby?

[forestmushroom]

I've been drinking an odd cup here and there.  But since it has gotten COLD here I've been drinking more tea and more RRL tea!

[Plummeting]

Originally Posted by Astraia 

I'd do more research on GBS. In a lot of places (the UK, for example) I think they don't even culture for GBS until your water has been broken for about 4 hours, or if you meet certain criteria like 4 hours of ruptured membranes without labour starting, preterm baby, history of GBS. Even if you are GBS positive the chances of your baby contracting anything that serious are still quite slim.

You could also plan to do something like a hibicleanse (is that what it is?) in the days leading up to baby. I've heard of people doing it to "pass" the GBS swab test, so why not before baby?

I've already read tons about it since I was positive last time. Hibiclens may or may not work. The research really isn't conclusive on that. It's what my last midwives recommended, but I was hit too hard, too quickly to do it properly. My first labor was short - less than 5 hours total - but my water broke 7 hours before my labor started, so I was nearing the time where I wouldn't be comfortable without antibiotics (over 12 hours) if I was positive. I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable with them at any point, but past 12 hours with ruptured membranes I'd start feeling like they were the better choice. It's unlikely that my membranes will be ruptured for that long, given how fast my last labor was, but anything can happen. :)

[DoubleDouble]

Nettle is a blood clotting medicine - one of its uses includes reducing menstrual bleeding (works like a charm by the way.) I avoided nettle tea when I was on blood thinners, and I don't know if I need it now when I'm pregnant.

I used to study herbal medicine, and I take a cautious approach - I wouldn't say "This herb is a great tonic for the uterus!" I would think "This herb does this, this, and this - do I really need those effects?"

[BubbleMa]

What do you all think about this tea?  http://www.downthelane.com/organic-pregnancy-tea.html  Or, do you have any suggestions for something similar?

I'm way too lazy to buy everything separately and make my own tea.

[forestmushroom]

I like the traditional medicinals pregnancy tea, and then their red raspberry tea after 34 weeks.... they have high quality medicinal grade herbs.   It is tasty, easy to find in the market, and no mixing, etc...

it is a little more expensive this way...

I am now wishing I would have saved some of the leaves from our raspberry bushes in our garden! 

[DragonflySky]

I just started drinking red raspberry leaf tea last week. I was in the tea shop yesterday buying some more and the shop owner asked me how far along I am. I told her that I'm 29 weeks. She told me not to start drinking it. I was very surprised - you would think she'd want me to buy a lot and drink it up and buy more. Anyway, she said it could bring on early labour and this is too early.  I just shrugged and then she told me to check with my midwife. I haven't asked the midwife, though I'm sure she'll tell me to go right ahead.  This is my first pregnancy, so I'm not too worried about things starting early - if anything I expect to go late.  What do you think of this warning? I was with my sister during the birth of her first son (one week overdue), and I really don't want have to go through the 2 hours of pushing that she went through - so I was thinking this tea would be worth trying. 

[Goddess3_2005]

 Nope it can't bring on labor. Its a uterine toner. I have been drinking it my entire pregnancy. I am up to 3 cups a day right now. I swear by it. My last labor, induced, was 8 hours, compare to 36 house  (baby #5) previously.