I’m debating whether to try drinking red raspberry leaf tea during my next FET to try and help thicken my lining (which averages around 5.5mm 😔). I’ve read mixed reviews about it online, ranging from it works wonders to it should be avoided (because it can cause the uterus to contract), which have just confused me. It would be useful to hear from people who have tried it.
So, has anybody tried drinking it and did it work?
I haven’t tried it, my lining was only getting to about 5.8 when I was trying a medicated fet, I started doing castor oil packs from the last day of my period to the start of ovulation and I decided on a natural cycle next, when I went for the transfer my lining was 13.5 and I think the packs really helped. I’m now 7 wks pregnant and had my viability scan today. I really think the medication didn’t help me at all. If you do ovulate naturally maybe look into a natural cycle and definitely try the castor oil pack on the stomach area. Good luck xx
Wow that’s a great improvement and congratulations on your pregnancy. I’m doing a semi-medicated FET this time with minimal meds. I’ll look into castor oil packs. Did you buy the packs or do you make them yourself? xx
I just bought a bottle of castor oil but make sure it’s a pure one and then bought a cheap flannel, I just got a hot water bottle and did it every night for a week- 9 days for an hour each night. Xx
Thank you. I’ll give this a go xx
Hi ladies, where did you get the oil & flannel from I’m having a nightmare finding them? Xx
Amazon pukka castor oil is £6.63 or you can get it from Holland and Barrett for about £9.99 then I just used a normal face cloth flannel. You just soak the oil on it and you can keep using it then for about 30/40 times xx
Hey! Finding your advice about castor oil really helpful. Probably a daft question, but did you soak the flannel in warm/hot water first before applying the oil?
We're going for natural FET next month and really want to give this a go 🤞🏻
Thank you. Xxx
No I just soaked it in the castor oil. The hot water bottle heats it up, then it stays on the flannel so can be used up to 30-40 times. I also would rub a bit of the castor oil on my belly each time too. Xx
Ah fabulous, thank you so much!!
I hope all went well at your scan 🤞🏻❤️ xxx
Yes all went well with the scan, just praying it stays that way xx
Hey! I tried this last night - was just wondering what you put between the flannel and the hot water bottle? Xx
I just put some clingfilm over the flannel and used a hot water bottle with a cover on xx
Thank you 😊 xxx
So you just apply the oil whit the flannel on your belly? Or somewhere else? Sorry o didn’t understand very well
I 2n md the Castor oil pack. I believe it definitely helped me. Wishing you the best 👶🏾👶🏻
Hi ladies, where did you get the oil & flannel from I’m having a nightmare finding them? Xx
I used the packs too and beleived it helped. I drank the tea too but stopped as soon as it got close to my transfer date to air on side of caution.
Hi! Sorry i didn’t understand well, can you please explain me how to use it? Your drink the oil? Apply the oil? I hope you can help me. Thanks
I had my best lining yet drinking this. Make sure you get he raspberry leaf tea as opposed to just raspberry tea. I had 2 cups a day but it can have a bit of a laxative effect....however I've had lining issues and have tried loads of things so just ontop did help me!!xx
Thanks Cinderella. I know you’ve had lining issues so it’s positive to hear it helped for you. Do you mind me asking which brand you drank? xx
Its heath & heather. You can get it in holland & barrett. I got mine on amazon. Has your clinic suggested aspirin at all? This can also help with blood flow. I also usually start on a fairly high dose of progynova (8mg) and patches every other day from day 2 of AF which I usually step up my patches to 2 every 48hrs from day 9. I usually also take vitamin E. The nurse that scanned me last time said my lining was the best she'd ever seen it and my clinic agreed!!xx
No my clinic hasn’t mentioned aspirin to me. I’ll ask them about it, I’m at the stage of I’ll try anything. Last time I started of on 6mg Progynova a day, which was upped to 12mg and 1 patch on day 16. I did respond to the increase, but it was still below 7mm and I think the increase came to late in the cycle. So I think they’ll be starting me off on the higher dose next time. It sounds like a high dose from the start has helped to thicken yours xx
Yes I think it does help to have an early start with a higher dose! The mix of patches & progynova really helped me along! Defo ask about aspirin and start on the raspberry tea nice & early too! Good luck!xx
Thank you. I’ve just ordered some from amazon. I feel a lot more informed this time round so fingers crossed xx
I drank it every time I was cycling. I never worried about the uterine contractions if only having 1-2 cups a day. But if it is something that is going to stress you out then maybe just skip it!
Overall it probably didn’t add toooo much thickness but it is certainly a well-known uterine tonic rich in nutrients. I figured it couldn’t hurt and I am on my second pregnancy now.
Think it’s a case of to much info out there (and googling it all) so I’m now overanalysing. It’s useful and reassuring to hear from people who I know have actually drank it. Like you said, if keeping it to 1-2 cups a day then I don’t think I’ll worry. It’s worth a try if it’s helped others xx
My lining never got thicker than 7mm and been trying for years. Recently I tried Keto diet and noni juice once a day. I’m 111lbs but wanted to cut out carbs hoping to help other health factors. I’m not sure if this is the reason why or it would work for you too but my lining now ranges from 10-13 mm naturally.
That’s really interesting and a great improvement!! I do tend to have a fairly healthy diet, but that’s something I’ll look into. Thanks x
I was advised to use this in the late stages of pregnancy in the hope of bringing on labour and strengthening contractions. I had fast and early/on time labours but who knows if it made any difference!
I haven’t heard of it being used to thicken lining but new research is always coming out so I can’t be too sure. I was advised to have acupuncture to thicken my lining as mine never got that thick but it was enough to do the job.
I have everything crossed for you. All the best x
Also my lining when I got pregnant with my little boy was a maximum of 7mm....
Hi,
I've got a very thin lining and had 4 FET's cancelled as a result! I did try raspberry leaf tea but not religiously so I'm not sure whether I was drinking enough to make a difference! This time round I'm going to drink 2 cups a day as I've heard really good things.
My natural lining has also started to increase recently through stopping all exercise and putting on some weight. Depressing but it does seem to be working!! I've also had my sex binding hormone tested and it was really high which can have an impact on the amount of oestrogen produced. Could be worth asking your consultant about this.
Good luck, lining issues are so frustrating! x
Hi Pebbles, thanks for your response. I’m going to try drinking 2 cups a day as well and also try the castor oil packs for my next go. I was also told to stop exercising. I used to do a lot of running & gym classes and have found it really hard to stop. I’d never considered how it would be effecting my lining until it was explained to me.
For my last FET I just cut my exercise right down to gentle cardio in the gym, but my lining still didn’t improve much. So now I’m stopping it completely and just sticking to walking when I can.
I’ve never heard of having the sex binding hormone tested before. I’ll raise this with my consultant, thanks xx
Hi Pebbles, just intrigued by what you’ve said about exercising and putting on weight to improve lining. I exercise a lot and have never been informed to do anything differently but my lining struggled to get past 5.8mm for my recent FET which they cancelled and when they looked back it had never been higher than 5mm from Feb 2019 but leading up to that I had been doing so much exercise - pretty tough cardio a few times a week. I only eased off when I had my egg collection and then got back to it so now I was wonder if I was over doing it?
So you’ve stopped all exercise? I think I’d go mad if I did that 😳were you told to completely stop or was it just the best thing for you?
@lavender96 you’ve been told to ease off too I see?
Thanks ladies xxx
I got told to ease off on the exercise too....which for me was a bonus as I only do it to keep my weight in check! Especially by an acupuncturist. Walking is fine as is yoga and gentle stuff but no for aerobic exercise! Its something to do with letting your body concentrate on what it needs to do and the intense exercise can put your body under stress.xx
Ah I see. Thank you Cinderella - you’re always so helpful ☺️ I’ll take it easier then and hope it makes a difference with the other things suggested here.
Hope all is well with you XX
You're welcome, if I can help then I always will....so frustrating! My lining as I'm sure you know is an absolute pain in the ass but I had my best lining yet last cycle so there is hope!! Incidentally that wasnt even for transfer but for a biopsy so a bloody waste but will try & replicate this time around.xx
It’s frustrating as I wish they had said to me back in Feb when I had my first consultation that it may be an issue as I would have looked at what changes I could make during that time.
That’s so typical isn’t it! But at least you know what you need to do for your next transfer. Did you use the castor oil packs too? Xx
Hi,
I think everyone is different but my lining has always been really thin (3.5)and I've always been a keen runner. Our new consultant has said that exercise can have a significant impact on lining and he has advised no exercise at all. It's been a huge struggle as I love running but I've already seen an impact in 3 months as I'm now up to 6mm already. It might not work for everyone but I'm still positive :).
Good luck and do get in touch if you have any questions! xx
Hiya,
Thank you for replying. That’s brilliant it’s doubled already! Good on you! You must be so pleased.
I think I’ll change what I do and maybe do more lighter things than I used to. It’s difficult as I find exercise helps me unwind which is also so key in this process too and I feel so unhealthy if I don’t exercise but if it makes a difference I’ll try anything!
Thanks so much xxx
Hey, yes I’ve had the same advice as Cinderella and Pebbles about exercise. I used to do a mixture and running and weight lifting classes, I originally cut myself down to light cardio in the gym but have now stopped that and just go walking to help my circulation, or in bad weather I’ll sit on the comfy bike at the gym and peddle lightly for 30mins. I have found it difficult to stop as I enjoyed my exercise and used it as stress relief. But on the flip side, I’ve found myself with more time in the evenings and now have a hour to sit down and relax before bed xx
I was told by a pregnancy specialist to stay clear of it because of the issue with uterine contractions. There is so much contradictory advice though so it's very hard! I didn't drink it but then I didn't have a successful transfer either!! Good luck x
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