Red Raspberry Leaf useful for c-section recovery?

[ChimChims]

I hear all about the labor stuff, but won't be laboring this time around. (Unable to have another v-birth.) I also read that red raspberry leaf can help the uterus even after the birth, with a shorter bleeding period and everything. I've bought two bottles of capsules and have started taking it. I am on day 3. My sister labored naturally - her seventh - and said that her post-birth flow has been much lighter, shorter and tolerable so I am taking it with that hope in mind. Has it been that way for anyone else?

I'm not having strong contractions or anything from it, so please don't fear I'll send myself into early labor. I'm a candidate for that as it is, but my cervix is soft and just like the pucker of a lip (tmi, i know), so I'm not dilated at all.

 

[Nafretili]

I'm taking raspberry leaf tablets to!
It's supposed to tone the uterus back up quicker, help with pushing and like you say reduce bleeding time/flow.

My midwife has said it's never been proven because they don't know how bad it would have been without taking it!
Which is a fair point but it's been used for hundreds of years so there has to be something in it? x

 

[NickyNack]

I took it and I am recovering nicely from my csection - now on day 10.

I'm not sure how much of it is down to the RLT but I didn't take it last time and it took me much longer to recover x

 

[arj]

Yea I'd say take the RLT. I read your journal just before, can't believe you pushed out at 12lb+ baby, well done!!!!!!! I found my LO at 9lb12 was a stretch and needed forceps and episiotomy, I dont blame you for wanting/needing a C sec! I cant wait to see how big your baby is. Is this baby still looking like she will be really big and are you having regular growth scans?
I am also 33 weeks, I have twins, and they are each measuring over 3 weeks ahead, and I'll be induced around 38 weeks. Estimated they will be 7.5 to 8lb each, Im hoping the smaller the better!

 

[ChimChims]

Yea I'd say take the RLT. I read your journal just before, can't believe you pushed out at 12lb+ baby, well done!!!!!!! I found my LO at 9lb12 was a stretch and needed forceps and episiotomy, I dont blame you for wanting/needing a C sec! I cant wait to see how big your baby is. Is this baby still looking like she will be really big and are you having regular growth scans?
I am also 33 weeks, I have twins, and they are each measuring over 3 weeks ahead, and I'll be induced around 38 weeks. Estimated they will be 7.5 to 8lb each, Im hoping the smaller the better!

I can see with twins how having them anywhere near 8 lbs each would be just so much on your body. We'll pray they're a little smaller than that!

My episiotomy didn't stop me from tearing - I tore down into my behind hole (which bled badly for the next nearly three years with every poo), and clear up vagina to the cervix region. Eight weeks after having her I had my post check up and the doctor - without any meds, might I add - reopened the vaginal tearing and then cauterized (burned) it back closed to 'minimize scarring'. I was another six or eight weeks recovering after that - felt like I'd had the baby all over again. There's just no way I can push anything down through there again.

Regarding baby size - last we knew she was still measuring large. I'm hoping that Weds they'll order another growth scan. I'm on rounds with all the doctors in the practice, and this is the last one for me to meet before going back to doctor Wisler, so I can't tell if she will or not since they're all different, but so far I've had them about every two weeks. They say less than that is not accurate. Baby certainly feels bigger - her hiccups today made my whole pelvis move every time. That was weeeeiiirrrd!

 

[arj]

Wow rough time last time! I had an episiotomy that they stitched up wrong, and it popped open and got infected so I ended up back in hospital a week later. Then they checked it and said "oh actually we stitched your vagina up too loosely but your bottom up too tightly, so that's why you bleed every time you poo". Great, thanks for that. They offered to re cut me and fix it but I said no, as I wanted more kids, and of course the next baby needed an episiotomy too (which again started splitting and needed another stitch a week later). Fricken babies ay! What they do to our bodies!

At least this time you will be getting a C section and will be a little earlier, FX that baby is a little smaller! Some one from my town had a 14lb6 baby the other day at 38 weeks via C section, her 1st baby was 13lb1 and the doctors told her this baby would be smaller... She didnt have diabetes or anything, I dont know why her body made such big babies! Glad its not me!

 

[ChimChims]

Wow rough time last time! I had an episiotomy that they stitched up wrong, and it popped open and got infected so I ended up back in hospital a week later. Then they checked it and said "oh actually we stitched your vagina up too loosely but your bottom up too tightly, so that's why you bleed every time you poo". Great, thanks for that. They offered to re cut me and fix it but I said no, as I wanted more kids, and of course the next baby needed an episiotomy too (which again started splitting and needed another stitch a week later). Fricken babies ay! What they do to our bodies!

At least this time you will be getting a C section and will be a little earlier, FX that baby is a little smaller! Some one from my town had a 14lb6 baby the other day at 38 weeks via C section, her 1st baby was 13lb1 and the doctors told her this baby would be smaller... She didnt have diabetes or anything, I dont know why her body made such big babies! Glad its not me!

Doesn't that just kill you? And if they're right that my LO was 6lb 6oz two weeks ago I could be that lady easily. I had dd #1 at 38 weeks and am supposed to c-sect at 38 this time. I swear, I'm about to just give up! lol Not really, of course. I've waited ten years total for these two daughters and I would clearly do anything for either. I'm just worn out now. Hubs says no more babies for us. All of this in/out of the hospital and the heart issues etc that I get scare him. Can't say as I blame him. Four is a respectable size for a little family. hehe

 

[rebekah05]

Can you ladies explain to me when I should start taking it and if it is okay for a first time mom having a c-section? Thanks!

 

[ChimChims]

From what I understand it does not cause contractions at all, just makes the braxton-hicks that you do have - and would be having anyway - more effective. Like exercise for your uterus. It tones those muscles.

I've seen people online starting it around 31 weeks seeming ideal, so I'm a little late for that, but even some other ladies started at 27 weeks. I couldn't tell you how to use the tea, but I am taking capsules. I'm starting at 3 a day and moving up to 6/day around next week sometime.

Edit - I do assume it is okay for first time mom b/c so many FTM's here use it and come out w/good experiences. I'm using it for c-section to help w/recovery, which is what I'd imagine it would hopefully do for you too.

 

[arj]

My MW said the tea from 28 weeks and capsules from 35 weeks.

Wow so 6lb6 at 31 weeks?! That makes me feel a little better about my freakishly big twins! My DD was estimated 6lb8 at 34+4 and she was 9lb12 at 40+4so I can imagine you'll be in for at least a 10 or 11lb baby at 38 weeks!

 

[ChimChims]

My MW said the tea from 28 weeks and capsules from 35 weeks.

Wow so 6lb6 at 31 weeks?! That makes me feel a little better about my freakishly big twins! My DD was estimated 6lb8 at 34+4 and she was 9lb12 at 40+4so I can imagine you'll be in for at least a 10 or 11lb baby at 38 weeks!

I'm about to give up guessing. My DD was 5lbs at 30 weeks (last ult we had with her) and 12+ pounds at birth at 38 weeks, so she gained just a teensy bit shy of a week.

If this girl really was 6-6 at 31 weeks and follows the same pattern, my gosh, she'll be 13 or more! Yikes and more yikes! I'm afraid she'll tend larger b/c I'm diabetic this time and wasn't before.

Maybe I sound paranoid, but I've asked the doctors and the hospital staff repeatedly if they will be discreet if she's a real whopper. I truly, truly do NOT want to be on the news. How humiliating would that be?

 

[ChimChims]

I will say that in the days taking the capsules I've had literally no change in my braxton-hicks at all.

 

[arj]

You SO arent being paranoid! I am pleased to hear you're going to have a C section, even tho I'm very pro-vaginal, there's a limit!!! Then there's just madness

The lady from my town with a 14lb6oz baby put "this is not a typo" in the birth add in the paper, and I got texts about her from people, plus even the doctor at the hospital told me about it! So I get what you mean about being discreet, people love to hear about and talk about big babies!

 

[ChimChims]

You SO arent being paranoid! I am pleased to hear you're going to have a C section, even tho I'm very pro-vaginal, there's a limit!!! Then there's just madness

The lady from my town with a 14lb6oz baby put "this is not a typo" in the birth add in the paper, and I got texts about her from people, plus even the doctor at the hospital told me about it! So I get what you mean about being discreet, people love to hear about and talk about big babies!

I find it all pretty ironic, as my original intent in child birthing was to do it at home. lol My, how I've flipped views! But we can't control what size we grow the melons, and that's the truth! hehe

How are you feeling/doing?

 

[arj]

Im feeling crappy and sore, but doing great! The two super-melons are healthy and growing and my belly is stretching to accommodate..
I feel like my back is getting slowly bent in half, like some form of Chinese torture! I would have around 12lbs of baby in me by now, plus two extra large placentas (the scanner pointed that out lol) and I did my 3rd glucose test yesterday which was just SO fun....
Im really hoping I pass it, Im sure I will, I passed the last two! I just wanna say "See? I have big babies, I told you that, theres nothing wrong with me ok, leave me alone"! to the obstetrician! (I wont tho)

I havent really slowed down much, still things to do and places to go, havent packed my bag or the baby bag, Im just too busy for twins/labor/all that goes with it right now!

How are you feeling and doing?

 

[ChimChims]

I just wanna say "See? I have big babies, I told you that, theres nothing wrong with me ok, leave me alone"! to the obstetrician! (I wont tho)

Ah, but wouldn't that feel good to do JUST ONCE!?! haha

I'm having a lot of contractions, even 2/3 minutes apart and every day for hours and hours the last few days, but they're not doing anything - cervix is still closed and thick, even though it is soft. I'm all swollen and raw down below but they didn't say why (there has been no deed-doing recently, so it wouldn't be that), but it didn't hurt until the lady checked me yesterday (the bh's were so strong). I swear her nails were a foot long! lol I had forgotten how uncomfortable that could be, let alone be apparently inflamed in there. She said put ice on it, but since the rawness is on the inside what in the world does she expect me to do - put a popsicle up there?

I think my dd (7) is having a harder time of it. We're both very sick this week, and she told me today during the NST at the hospital that she wishes they'd keep me in there so she could stay at someone else's house. Bless her little heart! Bed-rest mommy is no fun! I've been cranky lately too and even though they always say it is okay and not a problem when I apologize, I feel like a first-class behind. If I could get any sleep I think it would help, but I seem to only do a few at a time.

 

[arj]

Ouch inflamed down there, I wonder why, could it be an infection? Sitting on a popsicle might feel nice tho...!
Well we both still have a little ways to go till 38 weeks, do you have a date yet that you'll get your C section?

 

[ChimChims]

Ouch inflamed down there, I wonder why, could it be an infection? Sitting on a popsicle might feel nice tho...!
Well we both still have a little ways to go till 38 weeks, do you have a date yet that you'll get your C section?

Dr. Wisler said that as long as I make it to then he figured it would be August 1st since he works Wednesdays. That works well for us b/c that is DH's day off, so if his work will let him have that as his regular day off and then give him a week off starting the day after we'd get 8 days instead of 7. I doubt that will happen tho b/c they always try to shorten it. If we make it that far they'll probably force him to take Tues-Monday off b/c that is their regularly scheduled work week. I still don't get why their week wraps up Monday nights, but that can't be changed. Hopefully they won't jip us a day since he only gets one week off as it is.

I am a little bit nervous b/c I know my body has gone into spontaneous labor at 36 weeks before and I don't want any doctor but my own, but you have to go with whomever is on call at the hospital whatever day you go in. I find myself really praying about that b/c he has several associates that are 'okay' and one that I flat-out dislike. It would be just my luck to go into early labor and get that woman!

 

[arj]

Lets hope Murphys Law bypasses you and you dont go into labor when "she" is on duty!

Will they C section you early if you do go into labor at 36 weeks? Or will they try and stop it?

 

[ChimChims]

Lets hope Murphys Law bypasses you and you dont go into labor when "she" is on duty!

Will they C section you early if you do go into labor at 36 weeks? Or will they try and stop it?

I was told that if it was actual labor (so i assume unstoppable for whatever reason) I would have my cesarean then. I honestly have no idea what to expect.