Raspberry leaf tea

alisonrmc · July 2015

I searched for this and wss actually surprised no one had talkes about it before! Has anyone talkes to their midwife or dr about the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea. I was reading good things about it on medical sites. Knowing in second trimester you should only have a cup or two a day. A few opinionated women said it will absolutely put you in labour but i disagreed with this because i read professional sites saying it strengthens your uterus and pelvic floor to prepare for when you do go in labour eventually. Anyways sorry for my rambling i decided i would go get some as i was by a davids tea and i live 2 hours away (i have a midwife app in 3 days and was going to double check with her) the lady at davids tea straight up said it would put me in labour (cause a miscarriage basically cuz im 23 weeks) and i should wait till the end of my pregnancy so my fiance wouldn't let me get it wtf?!! Not only am i pissed that she has no medical training to give that opinion but im wondering what you ladys have been told by professionals

KeHill08 · July 2015

I just asked about tea in general because I had heard some could cause contractions, etc and the OB said as long as I'm getting it from a reputable place there is no reason for concern.

VexedMommy · July 2015

While a small amount may be fine, it is known to cause contractions and can lead to miscarriages. Without knowing your medical history, I would advise against it. I suggest you speak to your midwife about it and follow whatever guidance she provides.

urby87 · July 2015

I don't know how much stock I put in it since there doesn't appear to be a lot of reliable research, but this site recommends taking it around 32w (not earlier on): https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x1048118/can-raspberry-leaf-bring-on-labour

FilbertTree · July 2015

I drank raspberry leaf tea towards the end of my pregnancy with kiddo1.0. It definitely did not trigger labour for me (that kid was comfy where he was and had to be evicted 12 days late) but my labour was very short. However, as he was induced I don't know if the short, intense labour was due to the tea, the induction, both, or neither. As I actually really liked the taste of raspberry leaf tea, I will be asking my OB about this when I next see her.
ETA: I tried the tea in my last pregnancy because the consensus opinion of the boards I frequented AND my midwife was that it helped to make contractions more effective thus leading to a shorter labour.

nmwheel1 · July 2015

When pregnant with dd I was told not to drink it until 35 weeks (1 cup) then at 38 weeks have 2 cups.

missphil · July 2015

I didn't find any research that suggests that it caused miscarriage in the second trimester. I read that it tones the uterine wall, making it stronger to hold the baby and then helps the uterus get back into shape more easily after birth. The Earth Mama Angel Heartburn Tea for First Trimester even has red raspberry leaf in the ingredients.

sarahsnowball · July 2015

I drank a cup each day from 35 weeks, up to 2 cups at 38 weeks then up to 6-10 cups a day when I reached full term. It didn't cause any contractions but I still won't touch it until week 35 this time.
My midwife made it very clear that the purpose of the tea is to speed up the labour process, not to start it off.
Incidentally, I had a 25 hour labour and a forceps delivery. So I doubt that the tea actually helped me :-/
It was good to feel like I was doing something useful though.

mamavbs · July 2015

I would wait. If the research on it has a mixture of opinions, why would you risk it? I drank it from 36 weeks and incidentally it did give me strong Braxton hicks each time. I'm not sure it did anything but as a PP said- it felt good to feel like I was doing something. My midwife told me not to drink it until the end, just keep it in your cupboard until later.

Also, I drank some after birth as it's supposed to help everything contract back.

Edit spelling

amwright33 · July 2015

My mother in law just bought me some. I'm glad I haven't tried it yet. I'm 23 weeks. I have a doctor's appointment Wednesday, I'll ask her first. I have a weak uterus anyways and my MIL thought it would make it tougher.

thefithuntress · July 2015

I've noticed it's mixed in with a few caffeine-free herbal blends, as is hibiscus, which apparently has similar concerns. I think it's one of those things to look out for and enjoy in moderation.

WeirdAlice · July 2015

You could always call your ob/midwife and ask them what they have to say about it just to be sure.

alisonrmc · July 2015

Thanks ladys. I guess its one of those things where everyone has heard something different. I definitley wasnt planning on drinking it right away as i said i wanted to purchase it because i was in the area and had a midwife app in a few days so wasnt going to just "risk it" lol i try to stick to the opinions of medical sites not blogs because everyone has a different view or a different pregnancy however my fiance seems to instantly believe every comment any 17 year old makes instead of waitig for our midwife to tell us

alisonrmc · July 2015

WeirdAlice said:
You could always call your ob/midwife and ask them what they have to say about it just to be sure.

I thought about calling my midwife but ive only ever called her once when i had a rlly bad rash she has a lot Of patients due around right now and dont want to bother her with silly things when i have an appointment too soon.. Lol i worry to much about being an annoyance

MargaretC5 · July 2015

I drank it daily for the 2nd and 3rd trimester when pregnant with DS. My dr said feel free to try it, but she had not seen any proof that it helps or hurts anything. I ended up having a CS after 35 hours because I never progressed past 6 cm. Don't think it worked for me my contractions never got that strong, according to the monitor... but they certainly felt strong. I am not bothering with it this time.

Elysag · July 2015

I started around 36 weeks with my first. The taste is not great so I made it iced, mixed with peppermint tea and a little honey. I drank about 36-40 ounces a day. I don't think It caused contractions but I had a relatively short and easy labor at 39 weeks. I wouldn't start before 35-36 weeks but I will drink it again.

oliarnmom1517 · July 2015

alisonrmc said:

WeirdAlice said:
You could always call your ob/midwife and ask them what they have to say about it just to be sure.
I thought about calling my midwife but ive only ever called her once when i had a rlly bad rash she has a lot Of patients due around right now and dont want to bother her with silly things when i have an appointment too soon.. Lol i worry to much about being an annoyance

I think the same thing before I call my OB with what may seem like a silly question for the same reason.. But I think they would rather answer questions.. But something like this could easily be left until an appointment!! I sometimes call my OB about little things that may sound stupid but she's always told me she would rather have me call and be concerned about little things instead of not calling at all when one little thing can lead to a big thing very quickly sometimes..

tdart14 · July 2015

I drank one to two mugs a day starting at 32 weeks. Went into labor at 39+6. Contractions started at 1 am and baby was out at 11:54 after 15 minutes of push. My first baby was 32 hours from start to finish so I really believe the tea helped.

oxley09 · July 2015

I have been drinking iced red raspberry leaf tea and an occasional cup of hot hibiscus tea nearly every single day since before I was pregnant. I have never had any contractions or signs of threatened miscarriage or labor and I feel great! (25 weeks with 4th child) Red raspberry leaf tea is so good for women's health and to date, there are no concrete studies to accurately suggest that it is harmful for a pregnant woman or her baby. With that said, do whatever you (and your doctor) are most comfortable with!

MadBloom · July 2015

I just picked up a box of "3rd trimester tea" and plan on starting to drink a cup everyday starting soon.

issysoph56 · July 2015

My mum is so pro this tea! She raves about it and is buying me some. With 5 children she drank this for her last 3 and said it made the second stage of labour much shorter. She said she started drinking "buckets" of it around 30 weeks none of her babies were early, she said she thinks it most definitely helps shorten second stage of labour so I'm willing to try it!

alisonrmc · July 2015

Talked to my midwife today and she recommend not to drink it till about 36 weeks and continue after birth

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