Thoughts on tea and oil

colson1742

I was recently informed by a friend that I should look into taking Red raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil. I did some research myself as well and sounds like it is in a women's favor to taken them. The oil making the cervix soften and helping to not tear or at least not as bad and the tea to help strengthen the uterus to help with contractions which will consequently shorten your laboring time. From what I have read I'm not believing in them necessarily *bringing on labor, just helping your labor when it does start. So my question is have you heard of these or have you personally tried them? And what are your thoughts/experiences?

jenb_99

I drank RRL tea and took the supplement in capsule form with my first pregnancy, starting very early. It was even in my prenatal vitamin. By 40w I was taking thousands of milligrams a day. I never had a real contraction on my own. Not one. And the contractions I had due to the Pitocin weren't productive.

I started taking a small dose of EPO orally at about 34 weeks and worked up to an insane amount by 38w, at which time I started using it vaginally at bedtime as well. My cervix never softened or dilated on its own. Even after 3 prostaglandin treatments in triage and an induction that involved 2 doses of Cytotec and several hours of Pitocin, I never got past a 3.

If your body isn't ready (and mine never would have been ready, since DS's head was too big for my pelvic opening), no supplement or activity will aid you in any way. And if you don't tear or if you have what you perceive as an easy labor, it's unlikely that it has anything to do with herbs or oils. It's likely genetics and your anatomy.

momo214

There's a thread already on this... You can find lots of feedback from others. I'd link but on mobile.
With that said, I drank my first cup of tea tonight. Not expecting anything but I like tea and, hey why not. As far as the oil, from the little research I did, the capsules aren't regulated by FDA or anyone else so I don't really want to take them. I could be wrong, but that was my understanding. The medical research seemed iffy too and would rather not take them with what I had read. The tea seemed to be a safer bet and my brand was USDA organic. I don't think the oil would actually be unsafe but just not worth it IMO.

cindythelou

i've been drinking red raspberry leaf tea the entire pregnancy. now that i am 37 weeks i've started taking evening primrose oil. this is all on the recommendation of my midwife. i figure if it might help, why not?

Brigie029

What brand of tea?

Lild09

My midwife doesn't like evening primrose since it's like an estrogen in the body I believe she said. I have been taken red rasp leaf capsules for a few weeks now though!

Lunatygercat

I have been doing both for a week and last week I was barley thinned. This week I am 50% effaced. I am do Friday with induction scheduled for next Friday. Don't know if it worked but I am happy camper.