RRL tea?

[peaceful_mama]

OK a question about red raspberry leaf tea. I went to a group meeting here Thurs. night, for expectant moms, TTC moms, anybody interested in birth from a natural perspective. The doula I had with my son leads it, many other professionals attend depending on the subject for the night.
It was healthy body healthy baby. The subject of Red raspberry leaf tea came up...my question is this

MY midwife, the one I plan on having anyway, says RRL tea is fine throughout pregnancy.

The other MW in her practice says to drink it TTC, then stop till 30 weeks plus.

What is the reason behind this? I had never heard of a restriction on RRL tea before...(well, you might get TIRED of it before it could do a whole lot for *labor* maybe...)

[my2girlsmama]

I have heard that it can cause uterine contractions when pregnant so to avoid during 1 and 2 trimester...but I have since learned that unless you are high risk it doesn't cause enough of ctx to bring on labour too soon. I drank it both pregnancies.

[hippiemom]

Some people believe that it does not benefit for uterine tone until late pregnancy, that you drink it in the final weeks to "get ready". But it's high calcium content makes it good for early pg if you are nauseous, and it tastes good, a very nice mild tea. I too drank tons of it throughout my 3 pregnancies, mixed it with mint and nettle leaf.

[hippiemom]

Some people believe that it does not benefit for uterine tone until late pregnancy, that you drink it in the final weeks to "get ready". But it's high calcium content makes it good for early pg if you are nauseous, and it tastes good, a very nice mild tea. I too drank tons of it throughout my 3 pregnancies, mixed it with mint and nettle leaf.

[the_lissa]

Hmm. I was advised by both my midwives to drink 1 cup per day per trimester. I think I also read it in Heart and Hands too.

[vermontana]

As a pp said, unless you're high risk and have a history of miscarriage, irritable uterus, premature labor, etc, then RRL is a safe and nutritive tonic herb to use throughout pregnancy, and really, throughout a woman's entire life! It contains an alkaloid called fragarine, which tones and strengthens the muscles of the body, and has a specific toning effect on the uterus itself. RRL also contains high amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, Vit B, C, E, and is so rich in many of the minerals that all menstruating and pregnant women need. I have heard women say that they had been taught in hospital childbirth classes not to drink RRL "until you want to go into labor". That is just not how it works. It does have an effect on the uterine muscle, but that is not causing contractions. It tones and strenghtens so that when you do start having contractions, whenever that may be (whether it's premature or at the right time), your contractions will be more efficient and your uterus will have the strength and muscular tone it needs to push your babe down. It can also be helpful with morning sickness, and helps to ensure proper and prompt expulsion of the placenta, helps with milk supply and it's high levels of iron are important in terms of blood loss at/after birth.