Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy

Be aware! It's not the dried fruit regular raspberry tea that you're looking for, it's actually the fruit's leaves that you need to prepare this wonderful tea.

I have discovered the benefits of the raspberry leaf tea a month ago, when I was searching for pregnancy safe teas in an organic teas shop.

I've searched the forums and the web for informations about this tea and found a lot of ladies saying it has done wonders, and that the effects are real.

With my first pregnancy everything was nice and easy during labor, so I'm not drinking it for that purpose, but as I'm used to drink a lot of tea and coffee, and now that I'm pregnant again I can't do it, I just wanted a safe tea, and if its beneficial and has a good taste, that's perfect.

The raspberry leaf tea is considered "women's tea", thanks to the multiple benefits it brings to women's hormonal health.
It has been used for centruies, as a medicine for treating anemia, muscle cramps, diarrhea, and for relaxing uterine muscles during labor.

It is a fine and revitalizing drink, caffeine-free, and it is one of the safest teas that can be used during pregnancy.

A certain combination of nutrients that can be found in the raspberry leaf, proves to be extremly beneficial for the female reproductive system. The tea that is obtain from brewing the raspberry leaves contains high levels of Magnesium, Potasium, Iron si B - complex vitamins, plus some other minerals and elements that are useful for female body during pregnancy.

It helps a lot with morning sickness, muscular cramps and insomnia.

An american study, conducted in 2001 has concluded that women that drink this tea during their pregnancy, had easier and shorter labors, and an issues-free childbirth.

“The sample consisted of 108 mothers; 57 (52.8%) consumed raspberry leaf products while 51 (47.2%) were in the control group. The findings suggest that the raspberry leaf herb can be consumed by women during their pregnancy for the purpose for which it is taken, that is, to shorten labour with no identified side effects for the women or their babies. The findings also suggest ingestion of the drug might decrease the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. An unexpected finding in this study seems to indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group.” (From a study published by Australian midwives in 1999:)

"Medical studies have shown that red raspberry leaf can be consumed safely during pregnancy and can decrease the length of labor and decrease the number of interventions used such as artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), assisted delivery, and cesarean delivery.¹Â Red raspberry leaf also seems to help prevent pregnancies from pre-or post-term gestation (delivering too early or too late)." ( www.americanpregnancy.org )

Raspberry leaf tea can be beneficial during the third trimester of pregnancy because it strenghtens the pelvic muscles and those of the uterus.

It is also believed that this tea facilitates and speeds up the birth and reduces complications.

A study in Australia found that women who consume raspberry leaf tea during the third trimester of pregnancy have an easier childbirth and a minor complication rate.

No noticeable side effects of this tea are ever mentioned on the box or anywhere on the web, but it is advised that pregnant women should not drink more than 1 cup per day, due tot he fact that no extensive research has been done, so no statistics..

You should avoid consuming red raspberry leaf if you:

• Have previously had a short labour of three hours of less
• Have previously had a caesarean section
• Have previously had premature labour
• Have experienced vaginal bleeding since week 20
• Are having a planned caesarean section
• Have high blood pressure
• Have previously had breast or ovarian cancer, fibroids or endometriosis
• Have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, fibroids or endometriosis
• Are expecting twins
• Have any complications or health problems in your pregnancy

You should always tell your healthcare provider if you are planning to take red raspberry leaf during your pregnancy.

In my opinion, during pregnancy we should keep is as simple as possible, and not do anything in excess, just to make sure.