Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

reederah

Anyone know if it's safe during the 1st trimester? I drank it while TTC (well a pregnancy blend with RRL as the main ingredient), so I was drinking it in the 2ww since I wasn't really expecting a BFP.

I plan on calling the midwife tomorrow to check, but hadn't thought about it until today.

aylafsu88

If I remember correctly I think they say to avoid it until the second tri.  I would ask the MW and go by what she recommends.

tortuga47

They say to avoid it because it causes uterine contractions, but I wouldn't worry about it. What's done is done and you will drive yourself crazy stressing over it. If you got your BFP then I don't think it did any harm. I believe (and I could be wrong) the reason they say to avoid it during that stage is it could impede implantation. If you got your BFP and stopped drining it, I'd say you are in the clear. Many women drink "pregnancy tea" with red raspberry leaf in it without knowing of any dangers throughout their entire pregnancy and are fine. GL

KayLaVi2010

I was drinking it when I conceived, I called my herbalist as soon as I got my BFP and she told me to stop drinking it. She said it shouldn't have an effect on anything, it just isn't recommended during the 1st trimester. She plans on starting me back on a RRL blend in the last part of my second trimester to start toning the ute for delivery. 

reederah

Good to know, thanks ladies!

crunchylove77

I drank it through my entire pregnancy, but limited myself to 1 cup/day during the first tri, and didn't make it as strong as I did later.  I know nettle leaf isn't recommended until later on, but I felt perfectly comfortable drinking RRL after doing my research.

Gordcrys

I drank it at the end of my pregnancy hoping to get labour moving as it causes uterine contractions... so with that in mind I would avoid it... but it sounds like some women do drink it all the way through.

GraceInCA

I've been drinking it (although in small quantities) throughout my entire pregnancy. Per my midwife, it helps tone the uterus, and shouldn't stimulate contractions until your body is ready for the contractions. I haven't experienced anything remotely like a contraction, nor have I had issues with it. A cup or two a day is fine for the first couple of trimesters, and then a larger amount is encouraged in late 3rd tri as you gear up for labor.

I would love to see some scientific studies done of RRL. I know in one study in Australia with a small sample size, they saw no difference between the births of women who consumed it and those who didn't. I don't really believe the hype about it, but I love drinking tea and it's safe, uncaffeinated tea for pregnancy, so I continue to drink it.