Questions & Answers

Here's the study:
J Midwifery Womens Health. 2001 Mar-Apr;46(2):51-9.
Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor.
Simpson M, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K.
Source
Holistic Nurses Association, State of New South Wales.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Many women consume the raspberry leaf herb during their pregnancies in the belief that it shortens labor and makes labor "easier."
RESULTS:
Raspberry leaf, consumed in tablet form, was found to cause no adverse effects for mother or baby, but contrary to popular belief, did not shorten the first stage of labor. The only clinically significant findings were a shortening of the second stage of labor (mean difference = 9.59 minutes) and a lower rate of forceps deliveries between the treatment group and the control group (19.3% vs. 30.4%). No significant relationship was found between tablet consumption and birth outcomes.

Raspberry tea leaf doesn't induce labor, it tones your uterus. It is safe. Evening primrose oil has posteglandins in it which can induce labor naturally-it is best to insert on directly next to your cervix but be sure to ask your doctor/midwife first. They will want to know if you are doing these things.

Thanks everyone! Angela....i read that you shouldn't drink it until you are 35 weeks unless you already drank it regularly....im not sure tho, I would ask your doctor!

Wow totally did not know it helped to induce because I've been trying to drink it but not consistently since before pregnant and through now. So I should stay away till later just to be safe? I've also heard primrose oil is helpful to induce. I was trying to drink the raspberry tea only because I heard it helps with the uterus to strengthen and rumors about rh negative blood types (wishful thinking I'm sure)but didn't know it could induce.

Yes, I believe it did help with an easier delivery, it definitely did not help with a with a quicker delivery. My labor was still 27 hours long and I pushed for an hour and 18 minutes but I never tore and I had a very quick recovery. I felt amazing after I had him, probably to good! I was in full labor on my due date, he was born 18 minutes after his due date. So yes, I delivered right on schedule.

I had to be induced and drank rrl 3-4 weeks before that. I drank 1 cup to start with and by the time I was induced I was having 4-6 cups a day, it helped me a lot, it helped mature my cervix my labour was tolerable and my recovery was swift I never tore either. With this pregnancy I have drank it from day 1 and I find it very soothing. When I hit the 30 week mark I will take it up to 2 cups and a 37 3 cups.

I am 38 weeks 4 days! Did you deliver on time? Do you think it helped with a quicker delivery?

From 30 weeks onward with my first pregnancy I drank a cup a day until 36 weeks then I drank 3 cups a day to strengthen my uterine muscles. Yes, after 30 weeks it is safe. Before then, unless you've been drinking it constantly before you became pregnant it isn't safe.