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Aim: To have an understanding of how the use of Raspberry leaf can have a beneficial effect during pregnancy and childbirth

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Aim: To have an understanding of how the use of Raspberry leaf can have a beneficial effect during pregnancy and childbirth

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Learning outcomes: On successful completion of this module, you should be able to…                                                        

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Learning outcomes: On successful completion of this module, you should be able to…                                                        

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Outline how the therapeutic properties of raspberry leaf relate to pregnancy and childbirth

Analyse the safety data and placebo-controlled trials related to its use in first and second stage of labour

Summarise the main actions it has in the body with its application to childbirth and pregnancy

Prepare a water based infusion using dried raspberry leaf and discuss how this is a medicinal preparation

Explain the indications for its use and discuss the recommended daily intake relating to its application to pregnancy

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Generally regarded as safe and effective and herbal medicine has a lot to offer in pregnancy care

Gently nudges the body in the right direction

Natural, nourishing and tonifying, providing many vitamins and minerals

Can be used as preventative medicine and help prevent and alleviate discomforts

Empowers people to make their own health care decisions

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Indications: The most typical desired effect for consuming Raspberry leaf medicinally is its relaxing effects on the uterus. 

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Indications: The most typical desired effect for consuming Raspberry leaf medicinally is its relaxing effects on the uterus. 

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Raspberry leaf can be used to aid in relaxing tense and cramped muscles caused by painful menstruation and pregnancy. It is commonly used to assist women in pregnancy to strengthen muscles and aid in labour to ease the pains and cramping sensations. This herb helps to ease the pains of both childbirth and postpartum muscle recovery. This is a common and typically very safe herb to support during these times in motherhood. Raspberry leaf also has its tonifying nature due to its tannin constituents and astringent qualities that can help in cases of water loss with diarrhoea. This herb tends to work on smooth muscles.

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Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) has a long history of helping with labour and birth by increasing the efficiency of uterine contractions. 

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Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) has a long history of helping with labour and birth by increasing the efficiency of uterine contractions. 

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Observational studies show it can shorten the first stage of labour, helps reduce the need for interventions by strengthening, toning, and relaxing the uterus and pelvic muscles. Reduces the risk of haemorrhage and prevents post term pregnancy.

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Nourishing herbs are the safest of all herbs, they rarely have side effects. They can generally be taken in any quantity and for extended periods of time during the childbearing year. They act in the body as food providing nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, simple sugars and starches. They improve existing conditions by strengthening the body's defences.

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Medicinal Actions:                                  

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Medicinal Actions:                                  

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Astringent
Uterine Tonic
Nutritive tonic
Refrigerant
Stimulant
Styptic
Antioxidant
Antidiarrheal
Antiseptic
Emmenagogue
Galactagogue
Diuretic

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Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labour. Clinical Trial results.            

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Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labour. Clinical Trial results.            

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Abstract

Objective: Many women consume the raspberry leaf herb during their pregnancies in the belief that it shortens labor and makes labor "easier."

Methodology: Because of the paucity of research regarding this herb, particularly in relation to pregnancy and birth, the authors undertook a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The sample consisted of 192 low-risk, nulliparous women who birthed their babies between May 1999 and February 2000 at a large tertiary-level hospital in Sydney, Australia. The aim of the study was to identify the effect and safety of raspberry leaf tablets (2 x 1.2 g per day), consumed from 32 weeks' gestation until labor, on labor and birth outcomes.

Results: Raspberry leaf, consumed in tablet form, was found to cause no adverse effects for mother or baby, but contrary to popular belief, did not shorten the first stage of labor. The only clinically significant findings were a shortening of the second stage of labor (mean difference = 9.59 minutes) and a lower rate of forceps deliveries between the treatment group and the control group (19.3% vs. 30.4%). No significant relationship was found between tablet consumption and birth outcomes.

Conclusion: The lack of significant differences between the groups on measures expected to demonstrate the effect of raspberry leaf ingestion during pregnancy on labor prompted consideration of the issue of effectiveness of dosage level. Suggestions for further research are offered.

Similar articles

Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy.

Parsons M, Simpson M, Ponton T. Parsons M, et al. Aust Coll Midwives Inc J. 1999 Sep;12(3):20-5. doi: 10.1016/s1031-170x(99)80008-7. Aust Coll Midwives Inc J. 1999. PMID: 10754818

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national center for biotechnology information

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Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor - PubMed

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The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

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Red raspberry leaf is high in vitamins A, B, C and E, and has significant amounts of major minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus that not only nourish the uterus, but provide minerals it needs to contract and relax. This is exactly the combination you need for labour to work effectively for the powerful muscles of your uterus to push your baby out. It is also rich in a naturally plant constituent called fragrine which is thought to also tone and strengthen the uterus.

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The nutritional content of Raspberry leaf

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The nutritional content of Raspberry leaf

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NZCOM Consensus Statement on Complementary Therapies

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NZCOM Consensus Statement on Complementary Therapies

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Use of Raspberry leaf is recommended only in the third trimester of pregnancy and typically in the last 6 weeks so from 34 weeks gestation.

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What is a safe dose?                                                                                                                                              

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What is a safe dose?                                                                                                                                              

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It is considered safe in pregnancy when used in the following recommended doses.
As an infusion:
1 cup per day from 34 weeks
2 cups per day from 36 weeks
3 cups per day from 38 weeks
and up to 4 cups per day from 40 weeks

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Herbs for an Easier Labour and Birth           

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Herbs for an Easier Labour and Birth           

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Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) has a long history of helping with labour and birth by increasing the efficiency of uterine contractions. Raspberry leaf helps with a decreased likelihood of preterm labour, a decreased likelihood of going too far past your due date, a decreased need for having waters artificially ruptured to stimulate labour.  Resulting in lower overall rates of caesarean section, forceps delivery, and vacuum extraction. Sips of Raspberry leaf infusion during labour help contractions to be effective and regular and become longer, stronger and closer together.

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While our bodies know how to birth, studies show that herbal remedies like red raspberry leaf and red dates can promote an easier labor.

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Caution:                                                                          

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Caution:                                                                          

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Should be taken away from medications and mineral supplements such as iron because of the tannins it contains which can reduce absorption

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These do not keep long and need to be made up as required. These are much more medicinal than tea. Water extracts many vitamins and minerals.  Infusions last a couple of days in the fridge.
Directions: Use one to two handfuls of dried herb per litre of boiling water. Infuse for 4 hours. Strain the plant material.
Dose: 1 cup per day from 34 weeks
2 cups per day from 36 weeks
3 cups per day from 38 weeks
and up to 4 cups per day from 40 weeks

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You can add to infusions, peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile and drink hot or cold with ice, fresh mint, lemon, honey or stevia.

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Link to purchase good quality Raspberry leaf

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Link to purchase good quality Raspberry leaf

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herbal midwife herbal medicine natural childbirth herbal remedies raspberry leaf labour tincture

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Lindz Carmichael is a Registered Midwife and Medical Herbalist Herbal Remedies for pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding Midwives, childbearing mamas