Raspberry Leaf Tea (RLT) & Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) FAQ

[Farie]

I've been drinking a cup a day for the last couple of weeks (m/w said it was ok to start as long as I only drank a little and stopped if the BH became to frequent or strong)

I also bought some capsules - well tablets really they are compressed power I think? So I'm take 1 a day of those too now.

My BH are stronger but no more painful so I think its ok so far, I'll slowly up the dose over the next few weeks.

When is it best to start the EPO?

 

[layneeleigh]

Check the first post of this thread but I believe the EPO is okay at 36 weeks.

 

[Farie]

Thank you, I saw the 1st page after I wrote my post
Honestly my brain has turned to mush

 

[thrussell]

hi im on my 6th child and my midwife has said its fine to start epo at 33 weeks i am now 34 weeks and been useing it for a week and oh yes i think someting is going on the baby has moved down n now is pushing on my cervix as well as useing my ball to help things along. i did use it in all my pregs and found that i have very short labours 3 hours last time and i done it with out any meds to i got to 7 cm then i only had gas and air but the think is i was so quick the midwifes were not ready and i pushed my last ones head out befor the midwifes could help lol but on a gd side no tear or anything nice and easy lol. good luch to every xxx

 

[stardust599]

Well the RLT is doing wonders for me just now. If I have a couple in a row and then DTD it's bring on really strong tightenings!! It gets baby moving lots too. I also find that it relaxes me loads and I'm managing 3 cups a day now (should really manage more as I'm being induced on Tues but it's hard to find the time).

Not sure about the EPO. I asked both the consultant and midwife if it would help ripen my cervix before the induction and they didn't say I wasn't allowed but both said they'd never seen any effects from it (they're quite pro-natural too and have encouraged RLT etc.). I got the super-strength stuff and have been using it for a few days now and my cervix has actually seemed to firm up a bit and is not quite as stretchy and dilated!!! I've also just read a study that states -

" Findings suggest that the oral administration of evening primrose oil from the 37th gestational week until birth does not shorten gestation or decrease the overall length of labor. Further, the use of orally administered evening primrose oil may be associated with an increase in the incidence of prolonged rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation, arrest of descent, and vacuum extraction."

- so it's enough to put me off! I know it was only tested orally but I'm still going to stop taking it just incase!
xxx

 

[layneeleigh]

I have been doing the RLT and EPO for a week now. I drink at least 36 ounces of RLT as I love it! But haven't seen any changes.

 

[summer rain]

I wonder why starflower (borage) oil is not promoted above EPO, its considerably more concentrated and contains twice the amount of natural prostglandins. I have precipitous labours as it is though, judging by past experience this one should be about 45 minutes, so I am thinking of doing without any 'help' from RLT or anything else this time around!

 

[MaybeMomSarah]

I've never heard of starflower at all! Might have a bit of a look at the topic.

 

[Farie]

Ohh does eating raw borage count? Love that stuff!

I started the EPO up my hooha last night and lost a huge chunk of plug this morning, totally different consistency to my usual mucus, very 'jelly' like.
Will keep on with it orally too. Boo is 2/5th engaged and seems to like poking my cervix with a stick on a regular basis!
I love the RLT, its yummy so taking tablets and drinking it

 

[layneeleigh]

What the hee haw am I doing wrong????
I have been drinking the RLT for 3 weeks now and I know that is just suppose to help with the second stage of labor, however I have been doing the epo for at least 3 weeks now with no results and I mean NOOOO results!

 

[beccybobeccy]

Just found this thread and felt it needed bumping as it is very useful....x

 

[kcw81]

hi, I was wondering if anyone had problems taking EPO vaginally and it causing an infection or a bad smell? I worry that putting a foreign substance up there would cause a yeast infection.

 

[MaybeMomSarah]

Well, I've just realized that I never updated this thread after I had my baby boy!

RLT - I took it as I listed in the first post right up until I started having contractions the morning before TJ was born. The second stage of my labour (what the RLT is supposed to help with) literally lasted ONE PUSH. Head, shoulders, body and legs all out at once. My OH says TJ literally shot out of my and across the birthing pool.

EPO - I started contractions at 4:30am on the 2nd. Called the midwife when contractions were 5 minutes apart at midnight. I was measured at 1am at 4cm, and I lost my plug immediately after the exam. He was born at 4:30am on the 3rd, so my labour lasted a total of 24 hours. I was never measured a second time due to the fact that it was less than 4 hours between my first measurement and when he was born. This was my first baby.

 

[Jenniflower]

I've been doing some research and found that starflower oil is actually more potent that EPO and that it works better. I may think about taking that now instead of EPO. Anyone have any thoughts on SFO?

 

[kcw81]

hi Maybemomsarah -
When did you give birth, how many weeks were you?

 

[ummar]

Just received my EPO by mail - thanks for the advice in the original post! Will start taking EPO from 34 weeks.

 

[salski]

fab fab fab thread!

 

[johnoblueshoe]

wears the best place to buy RLT from ??

 

[Jenniflower]

wears the best place to buy RLT from ??

In the UK Holland and Barretts is the best really. If for some reason you can't get out just try Amazon.

 

[johnoblueshoe]

thanks