Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy

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If you’re pregnant or have been, you’ve probably heard of Raspberry leaf tea for pregnancy and labour. But why take it? When is the right time during pregnancy to take raspberry leaf tea? Are capsules better? There are so many misconceptions about the whys and wherefores of raspberry leaf tea for pregnancy and birth that I thought I would clear it up in this post. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. This post is intended as a guide only and not to replace medical advice.

What is Raspberry Leaf Tea?

Raspberry leaf tea is a traditional herbal remedy taken from the raspberry bush leaves.

What are the benefits of drinking raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy?

It is used to tone the muscles of the uterus, making it more efficient during labour. The theory is you will have a shorter, more effective labour and are less likely to go far beyond your due date.

When can’t you take raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy?

There are some exceptions to drinking raspberry leaf tea or taking the capsules, and you may well fit into one of these categories. You should also be careful how much you take and stick to the guidelines. If you overdose, you risk over-stimulating the uterus, or going the other way and relaxing it too much, which can make labour longer. Here is the list of pregnant women who should NOT drink raspberry leaf tea or take capsules:

• If you have had a caesarean in the last two years
• If you are planning a cesarean birth
• If you have high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medication
• Previous quick deliveries (under 3 hours)
• If you are having more than one baby (twins, triplets etc)
• If you have any medical conditions like heart problems, epilepsy, blood clotting disorders, if you are taking antidepressants, fibroids, endometriosis, breast or ovarian cancer, blood clotting disorders
• Placenta praevia, low lying placenta or unexplained vaginal bleeding in late pregnancy
• If baby is breech, transverse or oblique position (any position other than head down)
• Premature labour in this or any other pregnancy
• If you have very strong Braxton Hicks contractions

Raspberry leaf tea or capsules?

Raspberry leaf tea made from the dried raspberry leaves and boiling water is thought to be more effective than the capsules. There are lots of different brands around, it doesn’t have to be organic and the most expensive, look at the ingredients and make sure it is made from the raspberry leaf herbal tea rather than raspberry fruit tea. I really like this one from Hottea Mama, it is a mix of raspberry leaf and peppermint herb infusion for a different taste. If you’re buying loose-leaf raspberry leaf tea, you will need to be careful with your measurements and make a pot of tea or use an infuser.

If you really can’t stand the taste or if you’re suffering from nausea, then try the capsules. They come in 300mg or 400mg doses. Go for the higher dose if you can.

When should I start taking raspberry leaf tea in my pregnancy?

It is best to start at 32 weeks of pregnancy, the last trimester. Do not start below this unless you have had it prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist.

How much should I take?

Start with one cup of tea per day or one capsule at 32 weeks of pregnancy. Then every few days increase the dose by one cup or capsule until you are taking 3-4 cups or capsules per day. Spread them evenly throughout the day. If you start experiencing strong Braxton Hicks then reduce or stop the dose. You can carry on taking the tea after the birth, it can help contract down the uterus, and provides essential vitamins and minerals which help your immune system and prevent anaemia.

Can Raspberry leaf tea bring on labour?

Raspberry leaf tea is not intended for using to bring on labour. It is recommended and designed to be taken in gradual increasing doses in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you take too much to try and induce labour, you could end up causing over stimulation and fetal distress.

Anecdotal evidence

The main objective of raspberry leaf tea as we have discussed is for toning the uterus for a more coordinated and efficient labour, but in my role as a Midwife and from personal experience, I’ve noticed that women who took it regularly in the lead up to giving birth required fewer or no stitches, ie they tore less or not at all. This is only conjecture and not based on any research, but it is worth thinking about. If you ask any friends who have taken it and given birth you will probably get a mixture of responses, there will be some who swear by it, and some who say it made no difference! You will just have to try it for yourself and see.

References:

Expectancy leaflet on Raspberry Leaf Tea

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