Red Rasberry Leaf Tea

Starynightsky24

Thoughts and opinions on it? Have any STM+ used this during pregnancy before? After looking up the possible benefits I'm considering starting it somewhere in the second trimester. I'll definitely bring it up to my OB first though! 

sabriel1

I don't think you are supposed to start it until 32 weeks

meatballs37

Agreed. I would clear it with your OB before use. 

I drank it two weeks before DD was born (would have been four weeks before, but she came early). And I don't think it did anything to help my labor/muscles. I was in labor for 26 hours and my contractions actually grew further apart halfway through and they started me on pitocin anyway. So who knows?

I can say the stuff tasted gross to me. So there's that. 

Starynightsky24

Interesting! I'll definitely ask about it first. I drank it pre pregnancy for period cramps and noticed a huge difference. But, stopped when I got my BFP. I was researching use during pregnancy and most things say after the first trimester. Clearly I'm asking my DR first and won't start anytime soon bc I had a big scare the other day. Jw what everyone else's experiences are. 

Knottie70382496

STM here. I drank a ton of it, everyday, towards the end of my pregnancy. I also ate dates everyday the last few weeks. Can't remember how many weeks I drank the tea. I ended up having to be induced at nearly 2 weeks overdue. I went in at 4 cm and not in active labor, the whole induction/labor lasted 8 hours. I pushed less than 30 minutes. I don't know if i should credit the tea or not but its worth a shot I'd say! 

soulcupcake

It's a tonic and not at all oxytocic. It can make preexisting uterine activity more efficient, but it doesn't induce contractions.

I started drinking it around 28 weeks with #2, and 24ish weeks with the next three. I like the taste, and I steeped it with other teas (Nettles).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20220111

mrsgunsta

Doesn't work. 

Ashoes123

 I agree with the other commenters that said 2nd tri seems too early.  I took it in pill form which was easier for me than drinking it.  My brand was cleared by my OB but she also said there isn't any proof that it works.

farmrose

(This is from a pretty crunchy home birther, so take what you want) I started drinking it in a blend with other herbs starting around 16 weeks with my first. I drank 2-4 cups throughout my first pregnancy, while breastfeeding and during most of my second pregnancy and breastfeeding. I'm still drinking it, although it's a little different blend of herbs now. My (homebirth) midwife (same mw I used with baby #2) recommends two cups of infusion strength (brewed for 8 hrs so the herbs are more potent) per day throughout pregnancy. The herbs (including rrl) are full of easily assimilated vitamins and minerals that are good for you during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 
RRL is a tonic herb, it works slowly and has to build up over time to really get the benefits. It helps to tone the muscles in the uterus so your contractions will be more effective and efficient-thus you'll have fewer contractions to achieve the same end result. 
Here's my anecdotal evidence for you- (both labors started on their own, no additional augmentation)
Labor #1, total about 14-15 hrs, about 5 in real active labor, about 40ish minutes of pushing. My contractions started out at about 3-5 minutes apart from the beginning.
Labor #2, total 5-5.5 hrs, most of that active labor, 13 minutes of pushing.
That said, I think RRL is beneficial to help make labor quicker and more effective. But, I would probably drink the tea either way because it's really good for you vitamin/mineral wise.
Obviously, do what you feel is best and chat with your ob/mw before starting anything based on the opinion of an internet stranger.

soulcupcake

@farmrose - I think the issue here, or in similar types of threads, is that recommendations vary based on the caregiver's model of care and practice. I saw a group of CNMs with #1 and #2, and most were neutral about the use of tonics and other *preparatory* herbs and such, and a few others, who used to practice as homebirth midwives, encouraged it starting mid-second trimester, so long as there was no history or risk of IC and PTL. I planned homebirths with my next three, and had partial dual care, and those providers practiced a model I knew to expect. For those unfamiliar with or not part of the OOHB or med-free birth community, these sort of tonics may fall outside of what they're comfortable with.

The other issue is, for those who are unfamiliar with these practices and model of care, they receive misinformation regarding its intended purpose. So the fact that it doesn't "work" to induce labor, isn't an accurate value judgment of the herb itself, since that's not its intended purpose as a uterine tonic. It can make contractions work more efficiently, and thereby decrease the length of active labor and the second stage, but there are a host of variables and other factors where this alone won't necessarily yield desired results. If there's an issue of fetal malpositioning at the onset of labor, and labor stalls or is slow to progress, thus leading to a longer labor, it's not that the RRLT and/or EPO didn't "work," it's that other factors impeded the normal progression of labor. I can say it worked for me if by "work" that means my contractions were so efficient that I made it to transition or near-birth without realizing anything was happening or about to happen. It could just be my own physiology and the way my uterus "labors," as well as other factors that optimize the labor process. (fetal position and other factors)

And as with a lot of things, YMMV. Everyone's physiology is different, so its beneficial effects will be based on each individual's body and other circumstances. 

farmrose

@soulcupcake, yes I agree. You're going to find providers all over the spectrum in regards to herbs/supplements. There is not a lot of professional research done on them so that is likely why many providers are hesitant to recommend them. Herbs are not regulated by the FDA so you so take a risk in taking them. As with anything, I think it's important to do your own research and decide what's best for you and your baby. Sorry my first response felt kinda preachy, that wasn't my intention. I feel strongly that the herbs I've taken have helped me have quick labors-but everyone is different and what works for me may not work for someone else. That wasn't the only thing I did to help labor to be quick and effective, so if someone replicated what I did it doesn't guarantee they'll have the same results. Like you mentioned, many other factors come in to play. Exercise/health/fitness of the mom, fetal positioning, movement during labor, and much more all play a role. I wasn't trying to sound like the expert, just sharing my experience.

rainafire77

My folate pre-natals have an herbal blend including red raspberry leaf. I still take them daily as I did while TTC. It's nowhere near the dosage you get in the tea so it's safe for 1st trimester. I don't know if it works as it states it does but since I need the folate rather than folic acid and I like that my vitamin is organic, I'll keep taking it.