Raspberry Leaf

[natalie_1982]

I bought some raspberry leaf capsules from Holland and Barrett the other day, and the assistant's advice was not to take it "too early". I phoned my midwife to check how much and often I can take it, and they said that the health shop should be able to tell me! I told her what they had told me i.e. not to take it "too early", and she said "ooooh, 36 weeks should be ok but we're not qualified to advise so I can't tell you how much / how often". My own midwife appt isn't for another two weeks so I wondered what advice anyone else had been given, or if anyone can give me a definitive answer, or can point me in the direction of someone who can! Thanks xx

P.S. I am 32 weeks today :-)

[warpig3]

Haven't tried it myself yet nat, keep forgetting to buy it but I remember one of the girls at my antenatal class saying she started it at around 32 weeks and she went in to labour at 36 weeks and the tea may have been the cause. I think 36 weeks sounds about right but psychick will know for sure as she has got some.

[Psychick]

Hi natalie, the reason your midwife hasnt given you an amount is probably because not enough investigating has been done on this subject in this country for her to be able to. Have a read through this and hopefully it will help. http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/ref/rasp berryleaftea/
Im actually a little confused myself on the subject. I tried the tea....yuck! so brought the tablets instead (I also got mine from Holland & Barrett so assume they are the same brand) There was two strengths, I got the lower one of 400mg so, as that link says take 1.2g, Ive been having 2 or 3 tablets a day and Im just over 37 weeks. Im hoping Im taking the right amount and that its going to work! lol

[Psychick]

lol warpig, I know nothing for sure!

What day is it today?

[natalie_1982]

Thanks for your answers, I think I will leave taking them until I am 36 weeks (unless my midwife says different when I see her in 2 weeks).

In Holland and Barrett they had two types, tablets and capsules, and I took the capsules because it says you can either use them to make tea or if is tastes nucky then take them as tab form. I haven't got the bottle with me to check dosage though.

[warpig3]

Sunday.

[Psychick]

Sounds like theyre the same as what I have natalie. Could you not give your midwife a call to check? Failing that, Im seeing my midwife on Tuesday and Im going to ask her anyway just to check Im taking the right dosage so will let you know what she says.

Word of warning though, Im finding theyre really aggrivating my heartburn so have some gaviscon to hand just in case!

[Psychick]

Its Sunday???

Id better go get my daughter from school then...oops! lol

[sausagechips]

http://www.hamblys.net/shop/remedies/index.php ?cat=79&pre=1&nm=Pregnancy+%26+Childbirth

FOUND THIS LINK, I'M NOT PREGNANT BUT IT SEEMS QUITE USEFUL

[Psychick]

Thats interesting about the braxton hicks on sausagechips link. Ive been getting them for some time now and get them alot, maybe its not going to be so bad after all lol

Im a bit concerned about the part saying to take the raspberry leaf from 3 months in subsequent pregnancies though. That goes against what eveyone and everything else has said.

[warpig3]

Hmmmm? The girl at my antenatal class went into labour at 36 weeks and that was her first pregnancy so this is her second. When she mentioned it the midwife didn't say anything about her taking it earlier for her second and I have to admit, sausages' link is the first time I have seen it mentioned at such an early stage.

Great news about the Braxton Hicks, I get them all the time too, midwife had to wait to examine me yesterday until they had subsided, also got the twice when they were monitoring me on Monday , so no yucky tea for me!

[Psychick]

Was it a normal check up yesterday warpig? Hows it all going and are you seeing her once a week now?

(sorry for thread stealing natalie!)

[natalie_1982]

No probs ladies, it's nice to just catch up now and then :-)

I havent checked that link yet but I the earliest date I have seen to start taking them by is 28weeks.

[warpig3]

Oh yes, meant to say, was a normal appt and I have to go back next Tue, so it looks like once a week from 38 weeks, still reckon she said once a week from 36 weeks on to begin with tho'.

[warpig3]

Had to laugh, was asking the midwife when I should go to hosp once waters had broken or mucus plug expelled, basically how long should I wait before going. And she said 'ideally when you are 5 cm dilated', and I said, 'how will I know when I am 5 cm dilated', to which she replied 'you wont', HUH??????? makes it kinda difficult to know then!

[natalie_1982]

You mean you can't get down there with a ruler WP?

[warpig3]

Apparently not nat! I really thought she would tell me that I could measure it by 'fingers' or something, but alas no, so her info was of no value whatsoever.

[redcrx]

warpig, surely you cant even reach there, let alone try measuring! As for knowing when to go in, it will depend how far your journey to hospital is and how apart contractions are and also how well you are coping. If you phone them they can advise over phone once labour starts.

The reason midwives are reluctant to give advice on RLT is because its not a medicine or proven in the UK. They cant advise on anything that they are not insured to prescribe or advise on NHS.

I would say if starting at 32 weeks to take just 1 low dose a day and then increase it gradually over the remaining weeks.

I shall hopefully remember to get some this weekend and then start taking it from 31 weeks. I took it last time and although i went overdue my labour was only 6 hours.

[warpig3]

LOL redcrx, I've never tried! It was just that she said it so matter of fact that I thought she was implying that I should know some how.

[Psychick]

Warpig, have you had bloods done recently? Im sure I was meant to have my final lot done at 36 weeks but she didnt do them and who am I to remind her when I hate needles? lol

As some women start dialating before contractions start, I do sometimes wonder whats happening down there especially as there have been a couple of times Ive timed what have turned out to be just very uncomfortable braxton hicks thinking I was going into labour!