Raspberry Leaf Tea and EPO capsules

Just thought I would make a quick mention that this morning when DH went to Mitre 10 for a couple of tools he needed, I popped into a local health shop because I've decided I may as well start drinking some of this Raspberry Leaf Tea and see if it does any good. They also had a special running on Evening Primrose Oil capsules, so I thought "Why not !" and ended up with a jar of 200 for $20.

I know there are never any guarantees and I am not gunning for an early labour, I just want to tone things up and make sure I'm in the best shape possible for when Erin decides to make an entrance. I also much prefer natural remedies to any other kids of procedures or medications, so this was right up my alley.

Has anyone else used either of these remedies? How did you find them - useful or no? I had a cup of the tea earlier this afternoon with a teaspoon of honey to sweeten it, didn't taste all that bad actually - haven't had herbal tea in a while though, and had to buy a strainer especially for it. The EPO capsules say to take them with food, and since it's about lunchtime anyway I am going to go make myself something to eat and swallow them down.

The other thing the lady at the shop recommended for healing up any tears or damage to tne perineum, is Hypercal lotion and / or cream - I forget what she said was in it (calendula and something else), but it seems quite good and I am considering getting some of that later - have some Arnica in my hospital bag already as well (plus Rescue Remedy oral spray for during labour).

Edited by jax

I definitely recommend taking arnica pills after the birth. I didn't take them after Hannah but did after the "procedure" I had earlier this year.

i had raspberry leaf tea with my pregancies too.... and i do think it helped tone the uterus, but hard to say with my first because i had to have an epidural to lower my blood pressure, but i didnt request it and was coping with contractions fine. second time around (and its been said second labours are better) i didnt have the first to compare it to, it was a totally drug free labour/birth, neither times i needed stiches etc... and i personally wouldnt hestitate to recommend them to anyone....... i have heard that with the 5w pills that there isnt much point having them seocnd time around either because of the body being more prepared? but i wouldnt not use them either! i will definatly be getting my rasp leaf tea this time too..... when is it that we can take it? last 4 weeks???

I perservered through my dislike of any drinking substance that looks like (or tastes like) it could be good for you and had raspberry leaf tea in the last few weeks with Andrew. I had a two and a half hour labour and recovered really quickly. Not sure if it was the tea, however I wouldn't not recommend it to anyone who drinks herbal tea. Hypercal lotion is good, however I think the best thing for healing scrapes and bruising after giving birth is a wee (small, not urine) bit of tea tree oil in a spray bottle of water, or best still in a warm bath to sit in. It has great healing qualities and helped loads.....and you smell like a tree.

I had not planned on using anything before or after this birth, hmmm maybe i should. I know with Kobe i used nothing then my friend gave me some of her arnica stuff which I just put in water and I healed so quickly, had no pain at all from straight after but she however, even with taking the arnica could not sit down properly for weeks so not sure if it works or not. Same friend took I think it was evening primrose capsules or something like that put she had to put them 'up there' before the birth to ripen everything and I sure aint doing that.

not 100% sure it was evening primrose, I just remember her saying last week she has some left if I wanted them then told me how you use them and said I would pass thanks.
I know what you mean, Im not big on to many drugs (though I will be having my epidural if I need it) but after all I know is they put something like voltaran and maybe a panadol type thing 'up there' after they had stiched me up (only needed a few) and I was sweet.

I heard about that 5-w stuff from an older lady who swears by it. She had 4 kids...all with natural - pain relief free births and no tears!I am planning on getting some this time and trying it out! She also said that taking a teaspoon of some good oil internally daily like Almond or Cold pressed Apricot is great for "lubing" everything nicely!!!

I only took Arnica for the last three weeks before Paige was born. I remember being told about the tea. I had minor frontal tears and found and got told by the Specialist that good old SITZ baths are the best for anything down there and anything in general from stuffy noses to sore dogs eyes!!! Just the plain old Kitchen salt in a nice warm bath or little tub or mixed in a bottle for other parts!! Works really well.

I've been taking rasberry leaf tablets for a couple of months. I dont think anyone can conclusively say whether they work, but Im keen to try anything that might. A friend of mine swears by salt in the bath after so I have some ready to go and I think I will buy Arnica for after.