Red Raspberry Leaf Tea tribe - Page 102

[Faliciagayle]

Hi mamas

I drank gallons of RRL through both my pregnancies (along with nettles, alfalfa, etc - but would always make a simple out of the RRL), and with both I had PPH.  First birth I fainted a few times and was revived with smelling salts and ultimately a shot of pit.

Second birth I ended up with an IV, a shot of pit, and many doses of shepherds purse and motherwort.  

Both were home births (different MWs because of location).  FWIW first labor/birth was 6 hours, second was 4.  Both were "easy," the only complications were PPH.

After the last birth, MW ordered a MILLION blood tests to look for blood disorders, clots, etc.  Thankfully, everything is fine.  She is recommending that I stay away from RRL this pregnancy, as she posits that it has the opposite effect on my system.  I've emailed Susun Weed for her opinion, haven't heard back - and I was wondering what the wise mamas here had to say.

[herbsgirl]

For one thing,  herbs do not always effect everyone the same. THere will always be an exception to the rule.  For most poeple, Red Raspberry helps to prevent PPH, strengthen the uterus, ect.   I would go as far to say probably 99% of women Red Raspberry helps, but there will always be that 1% that it may not help.

ALso you said gallons. Were you using the Infusions, with 1/2 cup or more of red raspberry per quart like Susan Weed? Were you letting it set  4 hours or more?  Susan Weed recomends 1-2 cups or more infusion per day.   I think the weaker teas just dont do as much as the infusions that set for 4 hours.

That being said, Ive been there. With my last baby, I had a PPH, and I maybe tried  R Raspberry  a few times in the pregnancy, so I cant say how it will affect my body. I definatly feel the uterine strengthening effects even now usually though!

Like I said...Everyone is different and how they respond to herbs...

[Mulvah]

Originally Posted by herbsgirl 

ALso you said gallons. Were you using the Infusions, with 1/2 cup or more of red raspberry per quart like Susan Weed? Were you letting it set  4 hours or more?  Susan Weed recomends 1-2 cups or more infusion per day.   I think the weaker teas just dont do as much as the infusions that set for 4 hours.

I have the loose tea and though I've been making it and steeping it a while (usually hours), I really am not sure how much loose tea I should use to water and how many cups/day I should be drinking.  Are you saying I should use 1/2 cup of loose tea per quart of water and that she recommends 1-2 of those cups/day, so 1 quart in two days?  I apologize in advance for my ignorance. 

[Faliciagayle]

Originally Posted by herbsgirl 

For one thing,  herbs do not always effect everyone the same. THere will always be an exception to the rule.  For most poeple, Red Raspberry helps to prevent PPH, strengthen the uterus, ect.   I would go as far to say probably 99% of women Red Raspberry helps, but there will always be that 1% that it may not help.

ALso you said gallons. Were you using the Infusions, with 1/2 cup or more of red raspberry per quart like Susan Weed? Were you letting it set  4 hours or more?  Susan Weed recomends 1-2 cups or more infusion per day.   I think the weaker teas just dont do as much as the infusions that set for 4 hours.

That being said, Ive been there. With my last baby, I had a PPH, and I maybe tried  R Raspberry  a few times in the pregnancy, so I cant say how it will affect my body. I definatly feel the uterine strengthening effects even now usually though!

Like I said...Everyone is different and how they respond to herbs...

Yes, I do think I respond differently - I guess I was also looking for a different herbal suggestion to help avoid PPH (if I can, this may just be the way I birth).

I buy my herbs from MRH, organic and loose.  I would steep 1/2 loose leaves in a quart jar overnight, strain, refrigerate, and then drink it throughout the day over two days, which turns out to approximately 2 cups a day.  With DD I started in the third trimester, with DS I started in the second.  I did not drink it throughout either labor.  I meant gallons throughout the course of my pregnancy :)  

We use herbs for pretty much everything in this house, and I feel lost not knowing what to support my system with at this moment.  I feel great with nettle infusion but I'd like to supplement with something more specifically feminine.  Anywhoo - thanks for listening :)

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by Mulvah 


I have the loose tea and though I've been making it and steeping it a while (usually hours), I really am not sure how much loose tea I should use to water and how many cups/day I should be drinking.  Are you saying I should use 1/2 cup of loose tea per quart of water and that she recommends 1-2 of those cups/day, so 1 quart in two days?  I apologize in advance for my ignorance. 

Yeah, that's about right. The recommendation is somewhere between 1-3 cups, depending on the source. Four hours is about right for RRL by itself. Otherwise it will get bitter. I use 1 cup per 1/2 gallon jar, and that lasts about 2-3 days depending on how much I'm in the mood for the tea.

[RosieL]

In Hypnobabies class yesterday the instructor made an assertion that women used to walk a lot more than we do now. Walking brought on BH ctx, which toned the uterus for childbirth. Now that we walk less, herbal supplementing can help tone the uterus as an alternative to BHs. 

Of course I've heard that RRL tones the uterus, but I've never heard the claim that we *need* it more than we used to due to our more sedentary lifestyles. This seems like a easy enough hypothesis to explore and possibly test. I figured ladies in this thread might be the most likely to have information on the subject. Anyone heard of this or have more information?

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by RosieL 

In Hypnobabies class yesterday the instructor made an assertion that women used to walk a lot more than we do now. Walking brought on BH ctx, which toned the uterus for childbirth. Now that we walk less, herbal supplementing can help tone the uterus as an alternative to BHs. 

Of course I've heard that RRL tones the uterus, but I've never heard the claim that we *need* it more than we used to due to our more sedentary lifestyles. This seems like a easy enough hypothesis to explore and possibly test. I figured ladies in this thread might be the most likely to have information on the subject. Anyone heard of this or have more information?

I've heard a similar theory from my chiropractor and a nurse practitioner, and have read about it as well. It makes sense that women that stay active during pregnancy have muscles that are naturally more toned. Apparently the rate of SPD and abdominal muscle separation was lower, as well.

I've got an irritable uterus, though, so I don't know what walking would help. I get strong bhx just from standing. I am hoping that the RRL and bhx lead to a relatively easy birth.

[herbsgirl]

Another thing about walking and braxton hicks. I have the book by James Clapp about exercising and pregnancy and his findings are  that women who exercsied fairly hard during pregnancy had labors and average of 2-4 hours long!!!!  He also said that the uterus (naturally) contracts more while exercising.

Faliciagayle- Evidently red raspberry isnt something that your body responds well too! I do have  a recipe I got online that was orignially from a midwife to prevent hemmorhage. No gaurantees, but I will just pass on the information in case you are interested...  Also James Clapp says that exercising and being fit your body is better able to handle hemmorhage than if it is not fit. So a very very good thing for us mamas with a history of Postpartum Hemmorhage. . In answering your question, yes, 1/2- 1 cup leaves to 1 quart of water, drinking 1-2 cups during 2nd trimester, can increase to 3 cups in 3rd and up to 4 cups in the last month and last days of pregnancy and labor. 

The recipe contains Red Raspberry but you could leave that out...

.. I read about a women who tried it after having two previous heavy bleeding births, she went on to have another birth and couldnt believe how little amount she was bleeding.... The midwife said she has seen very good results with women who do this... Of course it doesnt garauntee you wont have a pph

Regime to help Prevent Postpartum hemmorhage

1. Drink alot of Red Raspberry Tea
she drank about 1/2 gallon of Red Raspberry tea per day... I would drink it stronger and smaller amount...
(my note: start in 2nd trimester...use enough Red Raspberry to make a difference 1/4- 1/2 cup of the leaves at least)


2. Take alot of Alfalfa everyday.... she took about 10 tablets daily
(my note: wheat grass or barley grass tablets may be subsituted)


3. During the last 5-6 weeks take Chlorophyll
(she started with 1 and worked up to 2 Tablespoons or so daily)

[Faliciagayle]

Huh.  I'll check on the alfalfa and chlorophyll.  I currently take spirulina and generally add alfalfa to my teas later... Thanks

[HippieIncognito]

Around 20 weeks I started taking RRL tea and then gradually stepped it up until by 35 weeks I was drinking a quart of a strong infusion everyday. I also mixed in Nettle and Alfalfa. I had a great birth.

Early labor was long but then I went from 5 minutes apart to pushing in a second and baby was born 45 minutes later. Full story here: http://hippieincognito.com/?p=401

[jul511riv]

luved yer birth story. thanks!

[illiterati]

Originally Posted by HippieIncognito 

Around 20 weeks I started taking RRL tea and then gradually stepped it up until by 35 weeks I was drinking a quart of a strong infusion everyday. I also mixed in Nettle and Alfalfa. I had a great birth.

Early labor was long but then I went from 5 minutes apart to pushing in a second and baby was born 45 minutes later. Full story here: http://hippieincognito.com/?p=401

I just read your awesome birth story!  The timeline sounds similar to mine except I think you had more intense contrax and mine were more frequent. Congrats on your beautiful babe. 

[herbsgirl]

I am starting a CAPSULE info post for girls who just cant handle the tea but want to do the capsules. I recomend Natures's Way, but you can use Beeyoutiful or other brands too...

You can still experience good effects and strengthen your uterus with Capsules! I have read testemonials of women who did experience good effects of this in capsule form.  I still think the tea is probably the best, but this is still really good. I think make sure you get up to 8-9 caps or more by 32-36 weeks

I have read testemonials that are really good on the Natures way brand, but  others probably work too.....

2nd Trimester dosage-4 caps daily

I recomend starting in the 2nd trimester... start with a capsule or two and work up to 4 capsules by  28 weeks. If you build up slowly, you can give your body time to adjust. If you dont have a sensitive body, you can start with full dosage right away.

3rd Trimester dosage- 6 caps daily

28 weeks to  32/36 weeks - 6 per day  

by 32- 36 weeks.... 9 capsules per day until delivery.....

For moms who want to take a larger dose...up to 12 daily until delivery....

After delivery

It is a very good idea to continue the red raspberry for the first 10 days after birth at least (more if you want) to help uterus get back down....

Other ways to take, if you want to start in 1st trimester is....

2 caps- 1st trimester

4 caps-  2nd trimester

6- caps- 3rd trimester

9 caps (up to 12) in last month 36 weeks to delivery

disclaimer- everyone is different, some poeple are more sensitive than others. A good thing is to start slowly and watch your body. Braxton hicks are normal with red raspberry, but everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions, ect...

Edited by herbsgirl - 2/14/12 at 7:58am

[RavenDB]

I used RRL tea with my first pregnancy thru-out the entire pregnancy and when I felt my first labor contraction at 38 weeks I made up a very strong cup of tea and sipped it for the first few hours of labor... About 3 hours into my labor, I was walking arounf my house doing the laundry... took a walk around the neighborhood, still talking and walking thru the contractions ( they didn't feel very painful, but I felt a ton of pressure ) , my sister who is a ob nurse asked if she could check me to see where we were at. I laid on the bed and the first thing she said as she was checking me was " omg, he has so much hair!, you are 9 cm we need to go to the hospital now"... It was amazing... this tea worked wonders for me, I do have a high pain tollerance but the tea made a difference I am sure. Now I am pregnant with my 2nd and have started my tea regime... looking foward to my labor :) THANK YOU RRLT

[jul511riv]

Maybe start a new thread?
 

Originally Posted by herbsgirl 

I am starting a CAPSULE info post for girls who just cant handle the tea but want to do the capsules. I recomend Natures's Way, but you can use Beeyoutiful or other brands too...

You can still experience good effects and strengthen your uterus with Capsules! I have read testemonials of women who did experience good effects of this in capsule form.  I still think the tea is probably the best, but this is still really good. I think make sure you get up to 8-9 caps or more by 32-36 weeks

I have read testemonials that are really good on the Natures way brand, but  others probably work too.....

2nd Trimester dosage-4 caps daily

I recomend starting in the 2nd trimester... start with a capsule or two and work up to 4 capsules by  28 weeks. If you build up slowly, you can give your body time to adjust. If you dont have a sensitive body, you can start with full dosage right away.

3rd Trimester dosage- 6 caps daily

28 weeks to  32/36 weeks - 6 per day  

by 32- 36 weeks.... 9 capsules per day until delivery.....

For moms who want to take a larger dose...up to 12 daily until delivery....

After delivery

It is a very good idea to continue the red raspberry for the first 10 days after birth at least (more if you want) to help uterus get back down....

Other ways to take, if you want to start in 1st trimester is....

2 caps- 1st trimester

4 caps-  2nd trimester

6- caps- 3rd trimester

9 caps (up to 12) in last month 36 weeks to delivery

disclaimer- everyone is different, some poeple are more sensitive than others. A good thing is to start slowly and watch your body. Braxton hicks are normal with red raspberry, but everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions, ect...

[cameragirl]

I haven't had my little guy yet, and will probably jinx myself, but the pregnancy has been easier than my last. I started drinking infusions early on, and I haven't had any prodromal labor this time. With my daughter, I had prodromal labor off and on for three weeks, and it was exhausting. I'm 38 weeks and chugging away.

[yippiehippie]

I had my babe and thought I'd update!!

I started drinking RRL at the beginning of pregnancy, I'd done it w/the last one and had a 6 hr labor, though I drank TM bags that time and not an infusion for labor. THis time around I went through about 4 lbs, drinking about 1-2 oz/day in the thrird tri. It was so good throughout, but, for some reason, the last week or so I just couldn't stomach much of it.

I went into labor w/some "easy" contractions at around 3:00am and had DH make an infusion of 1oz in 1 pint of water on the stove and covered. He brought it to me around 6 or 7am, heated, and I probably had about 3 or 4 drinks. It was gross and I was in hardcore labor by then and knew I didn't need it much anyway! Baby was born, unassisted, breech (surpise!) at 7:55.

The whole process was intense and fast (just as DS1 but faster!). My body started pushing after about an hr of intense contractions and took over from then on. I had no choice in the matter of pushing that baby out, my body really forced it upon me! Though he was breech, it really didn't feel much different than DS1.

I had some pretty bad afterpains, I contribute some of that to my RRL-toned uterus too! (not fun, but maybe will get back to shape sooner!)

Thanks for the 3.5 hour labor, RRL

[pinkdaisy]

I drank RRL throughout my last pregnancy and tried to drink more during the last trimester, even though I was getting BH contractions constantly. I also decided to make a strong infusion of it as soon as I started labor. Well... My labor started quite suddenly, and got very painful very quickly. I managed to make the infusion and drank it on the way to the hospital after laboring at home for a little while. As soon as we arrived at the hospital, I became very nauseous and got sick. There went my RRL, and I haven't been able to stand the smell of it since. :(

I'm still a believer in RRL because I've read so many great things about it, but my labor was pretty hardcore for over 20 hours and I pushed for over 2 hours. Who knows -- maybe it would have been even harder without the RRL! I'm not doing RRL tea during this pregnancy (like I said, the smell makes me sick now!) although I might try the capsules...

[cameragirl]

I didn't get the vaginal birth I hoped for due to complications, but I survived 11 hours of pit contractions with hardly any pain. In fact, until they got my uterus over stimulated, the contractions were crampy and not painful. I was well into active labor when my uterus over-reacted due to pit. I hemorrhaged during the c-section, but my uterus locked down very well after and I did not need a transfusion because of how well my uterus was working.

So, not the birth I hoped for, but I do believe the RRL helped.

[dovemama]

Hello RRL lovers. I too, have reaped the benefits. With my first I drank tea (non stop) for the last months of my pregnancy. I had an 8 hour labor with 30 minutes of pushing. While that's not short, like lots of your stories, I felt my body responded well to cntrx and that I progressed just as I should.

This pregnancy I am drinking infusions from the beginning. I have also harbored such a fondness for it.