[miss_heidi]

I was reading that EPO and raspberry leaf tea are recommended in the latter weeks of the third trimester to assist with labour.

So I went out and bought some EPO tablets, and then read an article that says that EPO in fact is NOT recommended in late pregnancy as it can increase the risk of waters breaking with no progression of labour.

Which is the correct advice?! Now I'm very confused....

Also can anyone advise on the recommended dose for both EPO and RLT, and when they should be started? (Ie how many weeks pregnancy)

I don't intend to use the EPO internally, just orally...

Thank you

PS I'm almost 35 weeks pregnant

[Studybug]

Hi

Sorry can't help with the EPO. With the tea, didn't have it with DS but thought I'd give it a go this time around.

I was told to begin drinking the tea at no earlier than 36 weeks. Start with one cup per day and slowly build up to three or four apparently. I had my first cup at about 37
weeks and not sure if it was psychosomatic or what, but I definitely felt the BHs that day. I stopped drinking it after a couple of days just in case the more frequent BHs turned into something and I decided 37 weeks was a little early for me lol but now I'm 38 +2 and have started again.

cheers.

[miss_heidi]

Interesting, thanks studybug


Anyone else know of its ok to take EPO and when?

[livvie7586]

later in pregnancy you don't take the EPO, you insert it and i wouldn't do it until at least 36 weeks

[noi'mnot]

There's really mixed advice about RLT. I've been told at my local health food shop that one cup from 12 weeks, up to 2 cups from about 26 weeks and 3 cups per day from 32 weeks is ok, but others have said start at 32 weeks. My midwife was happy for me to start 1 per day from before 32 weeks, gradually building up to 3 per day from 36. You can also get tablets. One complicating factor is that different brands of RLT have different amounts in it, so again it's complicated. I'm not sure if there's a consensus on what to do. I'm 34 weeks and it does give me braxton hicks contractions, but nothing too bad and only for a wee while after drinking it. I started noticing BH from about 20 weeks and I don't really think that the tea has increased them too much, they're happening anyway.

I think EPO is after 36 weeks, some people insert it and some take it orally but I'm not sure of the dosage, I'm waiting for my 36 week appt to ask my midwife, that's when I'll start on it. I've never hear of it causing waters to break (but I may be wrong). My understanding is that as it contains prostaglandins, it's used to ripen the cervix.

Can you ask your care providers? Some are less enthusiastic about such methods, but they may be able to give you an idea. I'm sure that some more EBers will be in soon with more concrete advice too.

Good luck!

[redmum77]

Not sure on EPO, but RRLT can't bring on labour, but will get your uterous practicing! I took very strong doses on infusions from at least 33 weeks with the last two, and both were 10 days late. I knew they would be late anyway, but the births were very good and they even remarked that I had a toned uterous it reduces down more efficiantly too, so that helps to stop bleeding. Study bugs advice is good, to work up to a higher dose, then you can get used to the changes and not shock your body too much. BH can get tiring.

I'm interested to hear about inserting EPO - really? Is this to help with the cervix? Hmm... Gee I'd love to not go late this time!

[~kuddlebug~]

I started one cup a day of RLT at 33-34 weeks I think, increasing to two after 36 and 3 from 38. I started the EPO at about 36 weeks, one a day orally and then one orally, one inserted from 38 and increased to 2 inserted (morning and night) from 39w. I was induced at 39w3d and my cervix was favourable.

[againagain]

I have drunk RLT in the third trimester of each of my pregnancies. I was always told to start with one cup a day and build up to 3 or 4 cups. If you have an irritable uterus or any problems don't take it.

I also took EPO orally in the third trimester of my last pregnancy. I recall my midwife giving me a handout on it, saying it was safe enough to take etc....can't for the life of me remember what it was meant to do something about prostaglandins and ripening cervixes or so forth.

None of these things will 'make' you go in to labour, I went overdue with all three of mine (by quite a bit) but the labours were straight forward and not too bad. RLT is also meant to be good after the birth for contracting the uterus back down.

[BBV]

Is there anything I should look for with regards to raspberry leaf tea?! Or are the tablets better?

[livvie7586]

I'm interested to hear about inserting EPO - really? Is this to help with the cervix? Hmm... Gee I'd love to not go late this time!

Don't count on it helping, i did it religiously with DD and she was 8 days overdue, exactly the same as her brother (although DS was a 71 hour labour and DD was 8, so it may have helped with that, but definitely didn't make her arrive any earlier)