i found this:
Can you believe something as simple as drinking a cup of tea can help your body prepare for labor? Red Raspberry Leaf Tea can be used in addition to your kegel exercises to help tone your pelvic floor, and as an added bonus it will tone your uterus too.
Raspberry leaf contains high concentrations of fragarine and flavonoids, which are believed to strengthen, tone and relax the uterine and pelvic muscles. In addition it is high in vitamin C, contains many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Overall, drinking it is good for your body.
There are many claims about the benefits of drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea during pregnancy, but research on the effects of Red Raspberry Leaf during pregnancy is only just beginning. While many experts claim it is useful for preventing morning sickness and miscarriage, others point out it can cause nausea and recommend against its use during the first trimester because it has been known to stimulate the uterus. While the raspberry leaf may help prevent constipation and diarrhea, it can also cause both.
There are two things agreed upon by the studies that have been done in pregnancy. First, there were no side effects noted in women taking moderate amounts of red raspberry leaf in the third trimester. Secondly, women who used red raspberry leaf were less likely to require a cesarean or forceps during labor.
There is no standard rule for drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea, but general recommendations are to take 2-3 cups every day during the third trimester of pregnancy. If you decide to use it during the first trimester, understand that many experts recommend against its use completely or that you limit yourself to one cup per day. In addition to the tea, red raspberry leaf can be taken as tablets or tincture. Pay attention to your body, some women are more sensitive to the effects of red raspberry leaf and will want to reduce the amount they drink to 1 or 2 cups a day.
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea will not start labor, but it can be used during labor. Some midwives feel drinking it during labor makes the uterine muscles more effective and makes labor easier. It is also believed to help prevent postpartum bleeding and improve placental delivery. However, most experts seem to warn against using the tea while breastfeeding due to its tendency to reduce milk supply.
Sit down, put up your feet and enjoy a cup of tea while you kegel. It seems to be the best way to prepare your birthing muscles for the work they are going to do.
Have trouble remembering to do your kegel exercises? Get the right tool to help you remember to do your kegel exercises and drink your red raspberry leaf tea.
---I only ever drink one cup a day... i was really into it for the "prevents miscarriage" aspect. do you think i should stop until 2nd trimester? or should i stick with my one cup?