Tell me about raspberry leaf and Evening primrose

[TurnedBatty]

Exactly what the title says. Tell me about these tablets, why I should use them, why I shouldnt use them, who used them and what happened, where to get them from...... Time to start planning the coming out of this kid I think. :D

[TurnedBatty]

somebody reply to me!!!!:hissy:

[MothersMilk]

Raspberry leaf is used to tone the uterus in preparation for labour - it doesn't cause labour to start but may make your contractions more effective when it does and help your uterus shrink back faster after birth.
I drank raspberry leaf tea during both my pregnancies and i do think it helped. I had two fast labours and effective contractions - worth trying imo.
I brought the tea from a health food store - i'm sure they sell the tablets too if you'd rather take the pills.

[TurnedBatty]

Thankyou. I would prefer tablets but I would be able to handle the tea :)

[InSaneOne]

the tea tastes really gross but you can get tablets from most pharmacies and health food shops. the evening primrose capsules you are supposed to "insert" then lay down and it will help soften the cervix. i found the raspberry leaf was good but i didn't bother with the evening primrose as you can only get it in such huge bottles and you only need a couple of capsules - so a bit expensive.

[TurnedBatty]

The bottles do look a bit big. Saw it at the pharmacy last night (while the pharmicist was trying to decide whether he should fight me taking Zantac....bring it on!). I will have to go to the health food store tomorrow when shopping.

[Azurial]

The tea is not nearly as bad as the tablets :barf: though I did just drink dried raspberry leaves from the plants in the garden.

[3 Little Pigs]

I've drunk raspberry leaf tea with all 3 of my pregnancies, i don't know if it actually does anything but I've had quick labour with really efficient contractions as well.
I tried evening primrose with my last pregnancy both inserting and taking it orally, I don't think it did anything at all except inserting it makes your terribly oily and gross defiantly need to wear a pad.

[DaughteroftheForest]

Hey, I took Raspberry leaf tablets leading up to the birth of DD and I had a muuuch easier labour with her than with DS :yes:.

DD was 2 days overdue and I was trying to shake her lose for at least a good week before that. I tried *everyhting* to get her out. And I mean EVERYTHING. I tried castor oil twice, was totally disgusting and had me glued to the toilet for a few hours but not one contraction did it induce. I tried evening primrose oil both orally and applied to my cervix (sorry if thats TMI) as I was taking primrose oil tabs while preggars with DS as i heard they are good for your skin and he came two weeks so thought that might be worth a go. I also tried DTD, walking on the beach, scrubbing floors, several different positions trying to get bubs to engage, fresh pineapple, hot curry, taking a long drive on a dirt road and telling my baby that if she didn't come soon I'd vacumme her out myself :laughing:

But none of that worked, obviously. But, as I said, I had a great labour with her. She was in a great position and I had very effective contractions. All in all it was very enjoyable :thumbsup:

Hope things go great for you and wishing you a very easy labour!!

Ps, a herbalist friend of mine told me recently that Clary sage oil is great for inducing labour. First of all you put a few drops on a tissue and slip it under your bra strap to get things going, than the next day put one or two drops (no more as it's quite potent stuff) in a bath and enjoy a nice soak. Then when labour begins, have a few drops on a guaze pad readily available to sniff for when ever you want your contractions to increase. I don't speak from personal experience here but she had 4 and 3 hour labours with both her girls and thats what she did so it must've worked :detective:

[Guest1234]

I'd go the tablets for raspberry leaf, you have to drink A LOT of the tea a day to get enough to make much of a difference. In tablet form you get a concentrated dose.
I used it with DD from 32 weeks onwards, and I had a great labour! I will definately be using it again this time around, just need to get the OK from the midwives on Friday.
No experience with evening primrose oil though. Have heard awesome stuff about clary sage oil.

[Peajae]

I just wanted to say that I tried pretty much EVERYTHING except castor oil and NOTHING worked. I was induced at 10 days over and had a very long, difficult labour ending in a ventouse and extensive tearing due to ineffective contractions among other things. So in my experience raspberry leaf, EPO, clary sage, curries, walking etc etc etc did absolutely nothing. And I was drinking a lot of the raspberry leaf tea AND taking the tablets (actually quite like the taste of the tea, but then I like most herbal teas), EPO capsules orally and to cervix, clary sage rubbed on belly and inhaled, etc etc etc. At least it all kept me amused while waiting for DS to come out!

If you want to try the clary sage thing, perfect potion has a beautiful 'birthing oil' you can rub on your belly. Like I said, it might not do anything but it gives you something to do and smells nice. I also had the essential oil to use in an oil burner. I think i actually got that from myer of all places! It is not recommended until 37 weeks.

My obstetrician was happy for me to use raspberry leaf (in large amounts) from 36 weeks. I bought the tea at a health shop, and the tablets at a pharmacy.

Here is some EPO info:
"Evening Primrose Oil is another ‘cervix ripening’ method. EPO helps by imitating prostaglandin can be used orally and/or internally.

A usual oral dosage is 2-3 of 500mg capsules daily from 36 weeks. If you are taking EPO internally, you can do this from 36 weeks – simply insert 2-3 capsules directly to the cervix before bed. You might like to wear a pad or liner as it can get messy when you get up."

[deesse]

Great thread girls .....

I've been on the tea now for a little while and hoping for the best ..... sounds like it might be a good idea to go with the tablets though to get the correct dose !!!!

Nice to hear that some consider that it really mad e a difference....... keep the info & stories coming please !!!!

As well as any other useful tidbits you might have for an effective & not late labour/birth !!!

[princessmummy]

i drank the tea with my 1st 2 pregnancies its disgusting i used the tablets in my 3rd pregnancy from 30 wks i had fast easy labours so it worked for me