Raspberry leaf tea....

[Beanymo]

So, I've been hearing all sorts about this - has any one actually drank it/taken the tablets and found it helpful in any way? Also, when are you supposed to start taking it and how often? The information I have found varies a lot! Either way the tea is quite yummy and definitely a substitute for my evening decaf x

[Hidden]

I've started drinking it only a few days ago. I read it's supposed to help strengthen your uterus muscles and help with contractions. I've found I have lots of Braxton hicks whilst drinking it....though I do a lot anyway. Makes baby get a little groove on lol. Whether it actually helps induce labour I'm not sure. I would imagine it's a big coincidence I was told I'm in early labour the day after I began drinking it. Don't think anything could work that quickly haha!

[dons88]

It is supposed to tone your uterus and result in a faster labour rather than induce it. Midwife advised me not to touch it until 36 weeks and I drank a couple of cups a day from then on. My active stage of labour was 8 hours which is fairly quick for a first baby but obviously it's impossible to tell whether it contributed or not! I'm going to drink it when I reach 36 weeks in this pregnancy too - every little helps I say!

I liked mine with a squeeze of honey in

[Beanymo]

Ooh, well I'm 35 weeks tomorrow and its only 30% raspberry leaf so don't imagine it'll do too much for me anyway. I guess any sort of toning does you good! First cup was lovely - I did add a smidgen of honey as I have a sweet tooth and was pre-warned it was foul. I'll maybe just have the odd cup for the next week before increasing then.

I wonder if it does help.... I hope your labour goes well fattyboom - I'm getting incredibly impatient and just can't wait for our boy to get here now, only 2 more weeks to full term! Thanks dons88 - you're right, every little does & MUST help. There's got to be some truth in all these things somewhere!

I'll be stocking up on tea, pineapple & curries over the next few weeks x

[dons88 in reply to Beanymo]

Mango and kiwi does the same job as pineapple if you fancy a bit of variety! Don't worry about drinking it before 36 weeks - there's so much differing advice on it, that's just what my midwife told me. I'm at 33 weeks so have got a couple of weeks before I need to start thinking about starting labour again... Home straight for you, hope baby doesn't keep you waiting too long x

[monika1983 in reply to dons88]

I drunk it from 34 weeks onwards . Started with one cup And then increased it to 4 cups a day in the last two weeks. It definately helped ,my labour (40+4 weeks) was quick and not to painful managed with gas only although having a big 4 kg boy. I have friends who also drunk tea and their labour was 6 hours long. Good luck.