If you have been tempted to try raspberry leaf to to induce your labor, read on and find out 'Does raspberry leaf tea induce labor?'
How Does it Work?
Raspberry leaf tea rich in nutrients and contains vitamins A, C, E and B, magnesium, calcium and iron. These nutrients are important for a healthy pregnancy. Raspberry leaf tea also contains the alkaloid 'fragine' which is said to strengthen and tone the muscles of the uterus, helping them to contract more efficiently during labour. It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last two months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus.
Proof It Works?
Research has found that taking raspberry leaf during the weeks prior to delivery helps to shorten the second stage of labour by making contractions more effective. There is no evidence to show that red raspberry leaf will encourage labour to begin. However, an Australian study has shown that it speeded up the second stage of labour and reduced the need for a forceps delivery (Simpson et al 2001).
What Really Works?
The only proven method of effectively inducing labor naturally is acupressure. Maternity acupressure works by stimulating points that cause the release of hormones in the body needed to start contractions and induce labor.The babies head is also encouraged to descend and engage earlier. This has been researched and published in Complementary Therapy and Medicine Journal, 2005. By using acupressure to induce labor women went into labor more quickly, had a shorter labor period, reduced stress levels and reduced complications.
Acupressure has also been used as a means of relieving labor pain significantly. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2004 revealed that by stimulating one single pressure point, labor pain was significantly reduced.
How Does it Work?
Raspberry leaf tea rich in nutrients and contains vitamins A, C, E and B, magnesium, calcium and iron. These nutrients are important for a healthy pregnancy. Raspberry leaf tea also contains the alkaloid 'fragine' which is said to strengthen and tone the muscles of the uterus, helping them to contract more efficiently during labour. It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last two months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus.
Proof It Works?
Research has found that taking raspberry leaf during the weeks prior to delivery helps to shorten the second stage of labour by making contractions more effective. There is no evidence to show that red raspberry leaf will encourage labour to begin. However, an Australian study has shown that it speeded up the second stage of labour and reduced the need for a forceps delivery (Simpson et al 2001).
What Really Works?
The only proven method of effectively inducing labor naturally is acupressure. Maternity acupressure works by stimulating points that cause the release of hormones in the body needed to start contractions and induce labor.The babies head is also encouraged to descend and engage earlier. This has been researched and published in Complementary Therapy and Medicine Journal, 2005. By using acupressure to induce labor women went into labor more quickly, had a shorter labor period, reduced stress levels and reduced complications.
Acupressure has also been used as a means of relieving labor pain significantly. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2004 revealed that by stimulating one single pressure point, labor pain was significantly reduced.
Read more on how acupressure can induce labor.
