New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
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Friday, July 22, 2011

Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor

Red raspberry leaf tea has been used for a long time to help tone the uterus and help ease delivery. Many midwifes will use this tea to help ripen a cervix, though whether or not this actually does that is not known. Other uses include nausea and vomiting, for breast milk supply, diarrhea, and excessive menstruation.

In one study done, red raspberry did shown to help decrease the length of second stage. Also, those who were taking red raspberry tablets were less likely to need forceps or vacuum. On the other hand, more of these women experienced preeclampsia or hypertension during pregnancy. In either case the difference for all to these were not large.

In another study, it showed a decrease in prematurity, overdue labors, and medical intervention.

While there is not much research, it appears that red raspberry tea is safe during pregnancy.

References:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.t01-1-01009.x/full
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bdrb.10052/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11370690
http://drlowdog.com/Assets/pdf_files/Pregnancy_lowdog.pdf
Posted by Rachel at 9:35 PM

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Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.

    •