Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

NicholeL16 · April 2016

Has anyone else been advised to start Red Raspberry Leaf Tea by their doctor or midwife? I picked some up yesterday but I have not tried it yet. Anyone taken this in a previous pregnancy?

mkc3888 · April 2016

I saw something about this on a Facebook page a while back. I think someone said they drank it in the entire third trimester for a shorter labor. This is my first pregnancy, so I have no experience with it. My dr hasn't mentioned it.

LGW2015 · April 2016

I haven't heard about it, what's the benefit?

kateleap · April 2016

I'm a huge tea drinker and my midwife said it was absolutely fine to drink at this point; I asked because I've heard about the benefits for overall pregnancy health and breastfeeding later on. The blend that I drink has red raspberry leaf and stinging nettle, which is also said to have a lot of preggo benefits! As my midwife pointed out, there's not a ton of clinical evidence for the benefits, but there's no indication of harm. She did suggest avoiding any tea with hibiscus and as a rule, with any roots (including licorice, though I think that one changes in the third tri and can help alleviate constipation). I clearly need more interesting hobbies, huh?

NicholeL16 · April 2016

@LGW2015What I understand is that it is supposed to help strengthen the uterus. I did some reading yesterday and found that it is supposed to help with shorter/easier labor. My midwife recommended it for me so I think I'm going to give it a try tonight.

NicholeL16 · April 2016

@kateleap do you add anything to your tea?

F47 · April 2016

I drank it in my first pregnancy, but I didn't start it until my third tri (or very close to it). Not due to doctor's orders or anything, that's just when I started it. I was pretty into the whole unmedicated birth scene, and this tea was part of that.

It it apparebtly strengthens the uterus and can lead to a shorter labor. My labor wasn't super short, but my nurses were all shocked at how quickly my uterus shrunk back down after delivery. I wondered if that had something to do with the tea.

Like PP said, no evidence of harm, so just depends on whether you believe in the benefits.

Ill ll start drinking it again at the end of second trimester and slowly build back up to 2-3 cups a day by 40 weeks.

missteacherlady16 · April 2016

@kateleap - what's the reason for avoiding tea with hibiscus?

LGW2015 · April 2016

@missteacherlady16 I don't know specifically about hibiscus but I did read that you should be careful what types of herbal tea you drink because there aren't many studies on its safety and it can affect the baby.

mrskratt · April 2016

I drank it my last pregnancy. My favorite was to brew it, then put it over ice. I actually craved it all the time.

duckmay · April 2016

I was told -- though now I can't remember by who or if they were a reputable source -- that you should only drink it during the third trimester. I drank a metric ton a couple years ago when I was TTC and recovering from a loss, and I think if I drank it now it would taste like stress and sadness. It is pretty good, though, especially over ice in a big mason jar.

kateleap · April 2016

@NicholeL16 I usually add a little honey, sometimes lemon (but not to this pregnancy blend, since it has spearmint too). @missteacherlady16 Hisbiscus is thought to induce uterine contractions. It would likely take a LOT of tea to have any impact, but better safe than sorry! As a rule, you can think of tea like any herbal supplement--that's why I asked my midwife for extra detail on what to avoid, since I'm a big tea drinker. Some herbs and flowers have medicinal associations, so it's a matter of making an educated decision with your midwife/OB's input and based on how much you consume. It can have a lot of great benefits (not the least of which is just staying hydrated when lately for some reason I'm usually turned off by plain water!) but it's good to be aware of what you're putting into your body!

ladyshark311 · April 2016

Where do I get said tea?

mkc3888 · April 2016

@ladyshark311 they have it on amazon.

ladyshark311 · April 2016

@mkc3888 Thanks!!

socks2819 · April 2016

I drank it last time during my third trimester to help with shorter labor. My labor wound up being 38 hours long so I'm not sure it did anything for me! You can find it at Whole Foods as well.

br0co1ii · April 2016

I bought some as a PMS reliever, and now I'm saving the remains of it for 3rd tri. I read somewhere that it can cause contractions so waiting until 3rd tri is best. I imagine that you'd have to drink a LOT of it to have that effect though.

coffee89 · April 2016

I didn't do it last time, but I'll start it during probably halfway through 2nd tri this time. Last time I did primrose oil and it did nothing, but I don't think I can do that this go around.

kateleap · April 2016

@ladyshark311 I actually just got my pregnancy blend at the grocery store, it's the Traditional Medicinals brand and called Pregnancy Tea (easy to spot on the shelf, haha). I get most of my other herbal teas (mostly fruity / rooibos, just to enjoy during the day since I've cut way back on caffeine and coffee) from Teavana, which has great staff in their stores to walk you through flavors and combos or you can order online.

babyblues3 · April 2016

I drank this tea starting at 37-38 weeks. I could defiantly feel a difference in my body when I would drink it. I would start to get braxton hicks like crazy. My midwife has suggested drinking the tea during labor to help speed it up. I also took primrose oil pills to help with labor.

I personally would not drink this tea until closer to my due date as within a few days of drinking it both my DD's were born. IMO I think it helped my body go into labor.

nsquaredlife13 · April 2016

Doula and MW didn't recommend it until towards the end of my 3rd trimester. Then I took EPO and RRLT regularly... but it didn't matter because I ended up having a CS due to a breech baby.

ammiddleton3 · April 2016

I have read a lot online, and some place recommend waiting until later in pregnancy. But a lot of places say you can start with a cup in your 2nd tri and work up to 2-3+ cups by the end of your pregnancy. I would just listen to your body and see how it responds.

lili245 · April 2016

i drank it with my first and personally think it helped i was only in labor for 5 hours.

waterfall213 · April 2016

I drank it starting in the third trimester my other pregnancies and will do the same this time. I love the taste of it and I've had fast labors so it's a win-win for me.

MRSCORKER · April 2016

This thread got me thinking about teas. I just bought a box of starbucks passion tea but hadn't made it yet. Good thing I saw this thread because apparently it's a big no-no. Yikes.

TheBeeCharmer · April 2016

Drank it religiously from 2nd tri on multiple times a day with my third. Longest labor out of the three. Not a believer.

PrimRoseMama · April 2016

FYI its not the fruit but the leaves. So it tastes like black tea. My midwife doesn't want me consuming it before 35 weeks. Its purpose is to "tone the uterus" to make contractions more effective. There is not any medical evidence based studies that prove it works. I took it during my pregnancy with my daughter and had a four hour labor total. Didn't take it with my son and had a 14 hour labor. I'm not sure if it matters. I have a history of pre-term labor and fast cervical progression, so my midwives are extra careful about anything related to labor though.

I was told to strictly avoid it before 24 weeks. When in doubt, ask your provider. I will be waiting until 37 weeks this time to drink any of it. The instructions are important. This is not your average tea, but a medicinal application that needs to be followed for effect.

jillianpardo · April 2016

I drank it in my third trimester last pregnancy. It's tasty and helped keep me hydrated. As others have said it helps tone the uterus. Traditional Dr's don't really rely on homeopathic remedies. We have a great apothecary in Denver with certified herbalists and naturopaths. When I hit 40 weeks I was drinking loads of it. My labor was much shorter in comparison to my first, only 12 hours, ha! Once DDs head was showing she was out in 3 pushes though! I don't do pregnancy well and I have not been active enough during my pregnancies. Being active plays a big role in your delivery time, so I have been told. When I feel like hell I tend to get couch locked. I might try to push myself to walk more this pregnancy. I'm the laziest pregnant lady ever.

amwright33 · April 2016

Lurker here...

I started the tea in my third trimester and had my daughter 4 weeks early. I was in labor for a total of 8 hours and pushed for only 20 min. The tea didn't cause the early labor, catching my 40 lb dog did. I don't know why he flew at me, but my water broke.

Mintz1982 · April 2016

I started it I drink 1 cup a day till 20 week then 2 cups to 32 hen I start 3 cups a day. With my son I was in labor for 3 days then took me 3 hours to push. My daughter it was 12 hour and 5 minutes of pushing so I believe in it.

vcabbyw · April 2016

I drank it from second trimester on.

My labor was 40 hours. But she was in the wrong position. I did however push her out in 30 mins or less.

MKJeffrey2002 · May 2016

I am drinking the Celestial Seasons Raspberry Zinger now. I bought it to taste it and now I'm obsessed and have a glass morning and at night before bed. I know I'll need to order organic for any effect, but if the organic tea tastes similar I won't have any problem downing a couple glasses each day

Mintz1982 · May 2016

I took it my last pregnancywith my first I pushed 3 hours, with my daughter it was 2 pushes I'm a firm believer something helped. So I've been drinking it again I don't really enjoy it though

ammiddleton3 · May 2016

I have a big bag of it and keep meaning to make a batch of it to try! I think I am going to start drinking it hear and there now, and start working up to more glasses as my pregnancy progresses! It can't hurt so might as well try it! Hoping for a VBAC this time, so I will do just about anything!

ashleymn-2 · May 2016

I am in love with tea. I found two teas on Etsy that have been amazing (I was using agave in them at first, then honey, but lately I've been drinking them straight and they're heavenly imo)
I don't know if anyone is into fair trade items but both these teas are organic/fair trade

https://www.etsy.com/listing/155096864/0416-pregnancy-tea-loose-leaf-organic?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pregnancy tea&ref=sc_gallery_2&plkey=07e045c3be65a12b6baa54b4c2dc861a85ed6790:155096864
(^sells organic baby items and more)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/263952569/maternity-tea-for-the-2nd-trimester?ref=related-5
(^ this one also has a 1st/3rd trimester tea)

Mintz1982 · May 2016

ammiddleton3 said:

I have a big bag of it and keep meaning to make a batch of it to try! I think I am going to start drinking it hear and there now, and start working up to more glasses as my pregnancy progresses! It can't hurt so might as well try it! Hoping for a VBAC this time, so I will do just about anything!

Try it iced as well on hot summer days

ammiddleton3 · May 2016

Mintz1982 said:

ammiddleton3 said:

I have a big bag of it and keep meaning to make a batch of it to try! I think I am going to start drinking it hear and there now, and start working up to more glasses as my pregnancy progresses! It can't hurt so might as well try it! Hoping for a VBAC this time, so I will do just about anything!

Try it iced as well on hot summer days

I will definitely try that!! Sounds yummy! I'm not a huge tea drinker, but I will come around!

samkins · May 2016

Ran this by the OB and she said it's safe in 3rd trimester, she couldn't say it works but no harm in trying justt no more than 3 cups a day. I bought some on amazon, I'm willing to try anything that may speed up the process

nsquaredlife13 · May 2016

I actually didn't mind the taste with a splash of vanilla cream (or stirred in whipped cream lol). By itself it's bitter and gross. But I never went into labor so I can't say whether or not it helped me.

mommym234 · May 2016

I used it during my last pregnancy, not sure on the uterus strengthening/quicker labor, but red raspberry leaf and stinging nettle have tons of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to pregnancy, recovery, and nursing/milk supply. I drank it all through second and third trimester last time, and have just started having a glass a day now. I was starting to notice a dip in supply (I'm still bfing ds), but have noticed it coming back up since I added in the red raspberry leaf tea. While pregnant last time I did a mix of stinging nettle, red raspberry leaf, and spearmint that was tasty warm or over ice, but this time am leaving out the spearmint, as mint can reduce supply in some women.

cate2273 · May 2016

I love my RLT! I started drinking 1-2 cups a day after several early miscarriages. When I got pregnant this time around I just kept drinking it since my body was already familiar with it. I bought several herbs from mountain rose herbs and mix them for a tastier, more balanced tea. I use equal parts RLT, stinging nettle, alfalfa, oat straw, & lemon balm, plus a little mint for flavor. Then I add a splash of lemon juice after brewing.

I've had a wonderful pregnancy so far and I chalk it up to all the vitamins and minerals... No morning sickness, constipation, bleeding/spotting, energy is great, no food aversions, but bring on the ice cream:)

I was also on oral progesterone for 14 weeks which is supposed to make you feel awful.

Anyways, I slacked off drinking it recently and now I'm having leg cramps and mild insomnia...is it related?

Want a personalized experience?

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Re: Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Fell in love: Dec 2005 // Married: Feb 9, 2013

Little Miss Rosalie Harper--Born Jan 9th, 2014

LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:

Choose Another Board

Search Boards